Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diel activity and use of multiple artificially constructed shelters in Astacus leptodactylus (Decapoda: Astacidae)

Abstract Astacus leptodactylus is a widespread European crayfish species with both native and invasive populations. However, in spite of its wide distribution, studies regarding its activity seem to be lacking. Thus, our goal was to study its preference towards shelters built from natural and artificial materials and follow its activities throughout the day in order to understand its diel activity patterns. We analyzed the video recordings of diel activities for 20 individuals to find out more about this species routine in a captive environment. Every specimen spent 22 hours in an arena with 4 different kinds of shelters provided (stone, wood, PVC pipe, vegetation). We investigated time spent in every shelter and different activity patterns throughout the analysis period. A preference for stone and wooden shelters was clearly expressed by all the individuals, independent of sex and size. Most of the activity was concentrated in close proximity to the provided shelters. Individuals exhibited both daytime and nighttime activity, with the latter being more intense, although, specimens spent almost 85% of the entire time inside shelters. Crayfish used all available shelters during our trials, proving a wide flexibility of the species towards shelter type, but the frequency of visits and time spent inside certain type of shelter varied significantly. Our study brings novel information regarding narrow-clawed crayfish shelter preference and activity in the proximity of the shelters, highlighting the importance of natural refuges in its daily routine.
Ph, Ammonia Flux, and Total Nitrogen in Duck Litter with Chemical Blends - A Field Study

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of chemical blend additives to duck litter on pH, ammonia (NH3) fluxes, total nitrogen (TN) under a small pen trial. One hundred twenty 1-day-old duck (pekin) were randomly assigned to 6 pens in a completely randomized design during 6 weeks. Control received no litter treatment whereas topdressed treatment at rates of 50 g aluminum sulfate + 50 aluminum chloride/kg duck litter were mixed into the upper 1 cm of duck litter. Duck litter pH at 2 weeks through 5 weeks was significantly affected (p<0.05) by chemical blend treatments compared to controls, but not at 6 weeks. During the experimental periods, NH3 fluxes decreased (p<0.05) in chemical blend treatments. However, there were no remarkable difference (p>0.05) between treatments at 0 and 1 week. Reductions of NH3 fluxes at 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks were 31, 16, 29 and 24%, respectively. Chemical blend treatments as a function of time resulted in increase in TN contents compared with control. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in TN between treatments at 2 and 3 weeks, except for 4, 5 and 6 weeks. Chemical blend decreases NH3 fluxes and increases TN positively by reducing duck litter pH.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Labeo gonius (Hamilton, 1822) through Microsatellite Marker in Nanak Sagar and Dhaura Reservoirs of Uttarakhand, India

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 12 (2017) pp. 3937-3947 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com The present study deals with the assessment of genetic diversity using microsatellite marker in the fish Labeo gonius from Nanak Sagar and Dhaura reservoirs of Uttarakhand having different morpho-edhaphic features and selfrecruiting populations of this fish. These reservoirs are distantly located and distinctly separated without any connection having negligible possibility of gene exchange with each other. Total 12 cross amplified microsatellite primers after using software PrimerBLAST and Primer-3 were screened in all 100 DNA samples of fish collected from both the reservoirs. 12 cross amplified microsatellite primers were screened and successfully amplified. After PCR amplification of microsatellite loci and performing native PAGE using amplified DNA samples as above, POP GENE Version 1.32 was used to calculate Nei’s observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, Nei’s genetic diversity, Fixation index (Fis) and Shannon’s information index (SI) and genetic variability indices viz. Gene flow(Nm), the coefficients of genetic differentiation (Fst & Gst) and Nei’s genetic distance. Overall Gst value (0.1601) recorded for L. gonius suggested the possibility of less gene exchange among the two stocks and indicated that 16.01% variation was attributable to interstock divergence, while 83.99% to individual differences within the stocks. Nei’s genetic diversity, calculated from the banding pattern of every primer, ranged from 0.4368 to 0.6922 with mean value of 0.5732 for specimens from Dhaura reservoir whereas it ranged from 0.5136 to 0.8243 with mean value of 0.6770 in specimens from Nanak Sagar reservoir. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.4769 to 0.4981(mean value0.4901) and 0.5014 to 0.5267(mean value0.5169) respectively in L. gonius from Dhaura reservoir. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.4641 to 0.5314 (mean value0.5046) and 0.4768 to 0.5682 (mean value0.5225) respectively in Nanak Sagar reservoir stock. Slightly better level of observed heterozygosity observed in fish from Nanak Sagar reservoir than Dhaura reservoir might be due to more differentiated stock of Nanak Sagar. Lesser value of observed heterozygosity compared to expected heterozygosity in fish from Dhaura reservoir might be possibly due to increased inbreeding in successive generations owing to small population size restricting desired germplasm exchange of appropriate genetic diversity. These observations indicated that the L. gonius stock of Nanak Sagar reservoir is genetically more diverse and differentiated as compared to its stock from Dhaura reservoir. K e y w o r d s Genetic characterization, Heterozygosity microsatellites, Primers, Labeo gonius. Accepted: 28 October 2017
Comparing Alkaline Phosphatase PhoX-Encoding Genes in Two Contrasting Habitats of the Large Eutrophic Lake Taihu, China

ABSTRACT River mouth areas of eutrophic lakes have frequent cyanobacterial blooms and high organophosphate mineralization rates. To determine the genetic background of the high organophosphate mineralization rate in river mouth areas of eutrophic lakes, we compared the diversity and abundance of bacterial alkaline phosphatase PhoX-encoding genes in the river mouth areas and the lake center within the large eutrophic Lake Taihu, China. Results showed that the seasonal average values of phosphorus content, bacterial alkaline phosphatase activity, diversity, and abundance of bacterial phoX in the river mouths were significantly higher than those in the lake center, and 47% of all identified genotypes were present only in the river mouths. The genotypes most similar to alphaproteobacterial phoX dominated in both regions, with 72% and 64% of the total genotypes in the lake center and river mouths, respectively. More than 40% of the total phoX genotypes were only found in the river mouths, however, indicating the special microbial nature in this hypereutrophic habitat. The differences in contents of dissolved organic carbon and phosphorus were related to the divergences of bacterial phoX genotypes in these two contrasting habitats. Because some dominant genotypes most similar to phoX genes of alphaproteobacterial genus were observed only in the river mouth areas, such as Microvirga sp. WSM3557, and because the hydraulic retention time of Lake Taihu is insufficient to shape the special bacterial groups in the river mouths, allochthonous inputs of nutrients and bacterial species could make contributions to explain the different organophosphate mineralization rates in these two contrasting habitats of the large eutrophic lake.
Reproductive Ecology of Bird-pollinated Babiana (Iridaceae): Floral Variation, Mating Patterns and Genetic Diversity

Flowering plants possess striking variation in reproductive traits and mating patterns, even among closely related species. In this thesis, I investigate morphological variation, mating and genetic diversity of five taxa of bird-pollinated Babiana (Iridaceae), including two species with specialized bird perches. Field observations in 12 populations demonstrated that sunbirds were the primary pollinators. Babiana ringens exhibited correlated geographic variation in flower and perch size. Controlled field pollinations revealed self-compatibility and low pollen limitation in B. ringens subspecies, and self-incompatibility and chronic pollen limitation in B. hirsuta. Allozyme markers demonstrated moderate to high selfing rates among populations and considerable variation in levels of genetic diversity. In B. ringens there was a positive relation between the geographic and genetic distance of populations. The results of a manipulative field experiment indicated position-dependent herbivory on inflorescences of B. hirsuta and this could play a role in the evolution of specialized bird perches in Babiana.
Studies on Microbial Phosphate Solubilization and Development of Inoculum Formulations

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSBs) Pantoea cypripedii (PSB-3) and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (PSB5) isolated from organic field were studied for improvement of maize and wheat crop at multilocational sites with and without rock phosphate (RP) fertilization during two year of field study under different agroclimatic regions. Application of both the bacterial strains as bio-inoculants showed significant effect on maize and wheat grain yield and on soil fertility at all different agroclimatic regions. Grain yield, phosphorous (P) uptake, soil organic carbon, available P, enzyme activities and P-solubilizing bacterial population in all the experimental crop fields at different sites significantly increased due to inoculation. Improvement in crop yield and soil fertility at three different sites was more pronounced and significant when RP was supplemented along with seed inoculation compared to uninoculated control treatment. Present study results suggest that P. cypripedii (PSB-3) and P. plecoglossicida (PSB-5) along with RP fertilization play an important role in plant growth promotion and improvement of soil fertility in different agroclimatic regions. 2014 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
A Study on the Extraction Process of Wrightia Tinctoria and Evaluation of Its Antimicrobial Activity

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD) is performed in the present study under different experiment runs varying the weight of the Wrightia tinctoria leaf powder. Aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts are derived from Wrightia tinctoria plant leaf powder using Soxhlet apparatus under various experimental conditions. Antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts are investigated using agar disc diffusion method.
The consequences of transposable element and DNA methylation on plant genomes

Author(s): Roessler, Kyria Anna | Advisor(s): Gaut, Brandon S | Abstract: Plant genomes are not static; they are constantly being transformed by nucleotide substitutions, the propagation of mobile DNA, and epigenetic modifications. In the three chapters of my dissertation, I show how plant genomes are shaped by transposable elements (TEs) and DNA methylation. In the first chapter, I test the hypothesis that DNA plmethylation is involved in differential gene expression between plant tissues. To explore this hypothesis, I measured whole genome DNA methylation and gene expression in leaf and floral bud tissue from Brachypodium distachyon. I found that differential CG methylation in the promoter region explains ~10% of the variation in gene expression between tissues. The second chapter examines the two modes that a plant uses to silence TEs, and I specifically question why both are necessary for efficient TE containment. I address this question by creating a mathematical model of ordinary differential equations that represents the interactions between TE propagation and epigenetic silencing, including DNA methylation. The model suggests that both modes are crucial for efficient silencing, and it also suggests that TE retention leads to more robust silencing. Finally, the third chapter predicts that, because of their deleterious nature, TEs will be ‘purged’ from a lineage that has undergone inbreeding. To test this, I examined the properties of maize genomes that were subjected to inbreeding for six generations. Over a total of 11 inbred lines, I measured genome size with cell flow cytometry and characterized genome content by whole genome sequencing. The results revealed evidence that genome size decline is associated with TE loss in a subset of inbreeding lines and provided an opportunity to consider potential mechanisms for TE removal.
Estimating crop coefficient model for upland rice (NERICA) under sprinkler irrigation system.

Efficient crop coefficient (Kc) estimation is very important to adequately determine water use of a selected crop. In this study, crop coefficient was determined for upland rice (NERICA) under a sprinkler irrigation system. The estimation was derived from the relationship, where LAI is leaf area index and MTA is the mean tilt angle, under standard environmental conditions in Ibadan, Nigeria. The fraction of the wetted surface was determined for initial, mid season and maturity growth stages. These were then incorporated into the model flowchart that produced soil water coefficient for evaporation, Ke, basal crop coefficient, Kcb and crop coefficient for evapotranspiration, Kc. Several assumptions were made and a visual basic (VB) 6.0 software was used as programming language. The derived Kc was compared with existing crop coefficients and results were subjected to statistical analysis. The models derived for initial, mid season and maturity growth stages are, and -0.1308 + 0.1193LAI - 0.024COSMTA respectively. The model incorporating all growth stages of the form,. The Kc values for the three growth stages were 0.9 (initial), 1.12 (mid season) and 0.7 (maturity). The coefficient of distribution, R2 between the modeled Kc and those using FAO-24 and FAO-56 guidelines were 0.99 and 0.98 respectively indicating a good agreement with the existing coefficients. The result also supported the improvised conversion factor from Kc (paddy) to Kc (upland) as it is used in FAO-24 paper. The dominant effect of, LAI and MTA on the crop coefficient of upland rice is evident from the results. Key words: Crop coefficient, upland rice, sprinkler irrigation.
Finnish records on the genus Inocybe (Agaricales). Three new species and I. grammata

Two new species of Inocybe (Fr.) Fr. , sect. Marginatae Kiihner, are described from Finland, viz. I. argenteolutea Vauras and I. pargasensis Vauras, and I. decemgibbosa (Kiihner) Vauras, comb. nov., is reported for the first time from the Nordic countries. I. grammata Que! is a rather uncommon species in the study area, occurring from the temperate to the arctic zone. The distribution of these four species in Fennoscandia and adjacent areas is mapped, and their ecology and relationships are discussed. It is proposed that I. glabrodisca P.D. Orton should be classified as a member of section Cortinatae Kiihner & Boursier.
Ancrer des cytokines aux cellules cancéreuses à l’aide de la toxine diphtérique : mieux que l’immunothérapie par transfert de gène ?

Il est possible de stimuler la reponse immunitaire anticancereuse a l’aide de cytokines. Pour eviter les effets toxiques lies a leur administration par voie systemique, il est necessaire de concentrer les cytokines dans le microenvironnement tumoral. Afin de pallier les inconvenients des methodes actuelles, basees sur l’introduction de genes de cytokines dans les cellules tumorales, nous proposons une nouvelle approche. Celle-ci consiste a utiliser des cytokines recombinantes auxquelles est couplee une ancre membranaire derivee de la toxine diphterique. De l’interleukine-2 ainsi ancree a des cellules de lymphome et de melanome persiste a leur surface sans etre internalisee. L’injection de ces preparations cellulaires a des souris entraine une reponse immunitaire protectrice capable d’empecher ou de ralentir le developpement de la tumeur.
The role of strigolactones in resistance, tolerance and control of Striga infection in Sorghum

In sub-Saharan Africa the root-parasitic weed Striga, is among the most serious pests attacking the main grain crops. Satisfactory control is still out of reach and Striga is considered a threat to food security in the region. Resistance and tolerance to this parasite are valuable traits to reduce the burden. For germination, Striga seeds require the presence of strigolactones (SLs), a plant hormone and signaling molecules that is secreted by the host into the rhizosphere. In his thesis, using a combination of lab, greenhouse and field experiments, Nasreldin Mohemed investigated the role of SL composition and amount in Striga control in sorghum. In addition, he assessed the role of SLs in the suitability of millet, sesame and groundnuts as rotation and/or trap crop to reduce infection of sorghum by Striga and control its seed bank. He found a number of SLs that have not been reported before in these inter/rotation crops, thus explaining their suitability for Striga control and showed that in sorghum strigolactone composition is linked to low germination resistance as well as tolerance to Striga. This knowledge will provide the basis needed for further improving Striga resistance, tolerance and control in the important African staple food sorghum.
Potential Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Pseudomonas fluorescens on Growth, Physiological Parameters, and Yield of Capsicum frutescens L.

ABSTRACT Limited land resources affect production of Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). Strategies to increase production of hot pepper include use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, but these can negatively impact the soil. Methods must be derived to improve nutrient uptake while reducing synthetic chemical inputs. Soil microbes including, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, represent a link between plants and soil mineral nutrients. The investigation was carried out to determine the ability of AM fungi [Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe and Acaulospora laevis Gerd. & Trappe] applied alone and in combination with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens to affect growth, biochemical attributes and yield of hot pepper. All treatments enhanced C. frutescens growth, physiological parameters, and yield over the untreated control. Inoculation with G. mosseae (G) + A. laevis (A) + P. fluorescens (P), followed by G + A inoculation produced the best growth response, AM colonization, phosphorus uptake, and biochemical responses due to a positive interaction among rhizospheric microorganisms. Soil amended with G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens at transplanting increased production of high-quality hot pepper and reduced fertilizer required.
TALLER: “Mapeo del Conocimiento Didáctico del Contenido (CDC) de la alimentación y la nutrición humana”

El CDC es el conocimiento que posee el profesor que le permite ensenar uncontenido especifico a un grupo de estudiantes, con el objetivo de lograr suaprendizaje. En este taller se propone realizar una actividad de mapeo delConocimiento Didactico del Contenido de una profesora experimentada cuandoensena la alimentacion y la nutricion humana. Para lo cual se analizara el video yla transcripcion de un fragmento de clase de la profesora mientras ensena estecontenido. Los resultados que se obtengan son de mucha importancia ya queserviran de ejemplo de la forma en que se puede realizar un mapeo del CDC,estableciendo las relaciones que efectuan los diferentes componentes de esteconocimiento (contenido, evaluacion, estrategias de ensenanza, finalidades deensenanza, conocimiento sobre los estudiantes, contexto), determinando sufrecuencia y analizando el tipo de relaciones que se establecen entre loscomponentes. Ademas, permitira vislumbrar acciones para fortalecer lasrelaciones de los componentes que lo requieran, bien sea mediante propuestas dedesarrollo profesional o ejercicios de reflexion docente.
Further evidence for the existence of broiler chicken PFN (pale, firm, non-exudative) and PSE (pale, soft, exudative) meat in brazilian commercial flocks

The increase in the production of broiler meat, boosted by growing consumer demand, has been reflected in a series of changes in the poultry industry over the last decades. These changes demanded a great deal of effort and intensive genetic selection by producers and breeders, in order to attain an increased growth rate, associated with a better breast muscle yield and better nutritive efficiency. As a result, the birds which are sold nowadays take half the time to grow, and display double the body weight, when compared to birds from the previous six decades (Barbut et al., 2008). However, the selection process implemented, which looks to attain the desired performance in the shortest possible amount of time, has made the animal more susceptible to stress, which in turn leads to a decrease in the quality of its meat (Solomon et al., 1998).
RECOGNITION OF “MINIMAL” LIGANDS BY ENOLASE SUPERFAMILY ENZYMES

ion; however, the enzymes go on to catalyze different overall reactions, which, in the case of a dehydratase, requires that the BrØnsted acid catalyst in the active site be properly positioned to protonate the hydroxyl leaving group. On the other hand, for a racemase, this BrØnsted acid must be positioned to protonate the carbanionic carbon of the intermediate (Scheme 2.2). Thus, tartronate may be very sensitive to this positioning of the BrØnsted acid catalyst. In other words, the minimal ligand, tartronate, is able to recognize the active site architecture of members of the enolase superfamily, but is sensitive to the presence of subtle structural differences.
Pest risk assessment of Eotetranychus lewisi for the EU territory

Abstract Following the 2014 EFSA's Panel on Plant Health scientific opinion on the pest categorisation of the spider mite Eotetranychus lewisi, the European Commission requested the Panel to perform a pest risk assessment and evaluate the risk reduction options. A stochastic model was used to assess entry, establishment and spread and related uncertainties. In the EU, E. lewisi has only been reported to occur in Portugal (Madeira). Entry pathways assessed were strawberry plants for planting from the USA, poinsettia and raspberry plants for planting, and orange and lemon fruits from third countries. Entry is most likely via poinsettia. Under current EU phytosanitary requirements, there is around a one in ten chance that E. lewisi will establish outdoors over the next 10 years. Although unlikely, establishment would most likely occur in southern Europe where environmental conditions, temperature and host density, are most suitable. If E. lewisi did establish, pest spread is expected to be mainly human assisted, most likely the mite being transported long distances on plants for planting. Nevertheless, while remaining a regulated pest, spread would be slow and most likely confined to one NUTS 2 area after 10 years. Under a scenario with enhanced measures (pest free place of production) at origin, the Panel's assessment indicate that it is extremely unlikely that E. lewisi would establish within 10 years hence spread is also extremely unlikely. The absence of trade of host plants from Madeira to other parts of the EU could explain why E. lewisi has not spread to other EU Member States. E. lewisi is reported as reducing yield and quality of peaches and poinsettia and is regarded as a growing concern for strawberry and raspberry growers in the Americas. The Panel concludes that should E. lewisi be introduced in the EU similar impacts could be expected.