Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What is Pepculiar to Human Beings is not Reason but Free Volition.

My claim is that human beings are rational agents but they can not be defined as the rational agents. Cognitive sciences (psychology and neuroscience, and also artificial intelligence) tell us that some animals and some machines are rational agents as well. In my opinion the most characteristic feature of women and men is not their rational dimension but their volitional dimension, that is, their aspect of being free agents. It is precisely in this volitional aspect where we find the mental processes that very likely are non-physical (and perhaps spiritual).
A Synthesis Method of Gene Regulatory Networks based on Gene Expression by Network Learning

Investigating gene regulatory networks is important to understand mechanisms of cellular functions. Recently, the synthesis of gene regulatory networks having desired functions has become of interest to many researchers because it is a complementary approach to understanding gene regulatory networks, and it could be the first step in controlling living cells. In this chapter, we discuss a synthesis problem in gene regulatory networks by network learning. The problem is to determine parameters of a gene regulatory network such that it possesses given gene expression pattern sequences as desired properties. We also discuss a controller synthesis method of gene regulatory networks. Some experiments illustrate the performance of this method.
Volatiles from Botrytis cinerea‐infected and healthy berries of Vitis vinifera influence the oviposition behaviour of Epiphyas postvittana

Interactions among plants, plant‐feeding insects, and plant–pathogenic fungi are partially mediated by volatile compounds. Herbivorous insects use sensory cues to choose host plants for feeding and/or oviposition that are likely to support survival and development of progeny. It is known that some fungus‐induced alterations in plants can modify plant volatiles, which are recognized by the olfactory receptors of the insect, either as an attractant or as a deterrent. We tested for the presence of behaviour‐modifying volatiles emanating from the berries of Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) infected with Botrytis cinerea Pers. (Helotiales). We tested the olfactory behaviour of adults of Epiphyas postvittana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to these volatiles using two‐choice and wind‐tunnel experiments. We hypothesized that olfactory cues influence E. postvittana's oviposition behaviour. We found that volatiles emanating from B. cinerea‐infected berries did not significantly attract the gravid females of E. postvittana; consequently, they laid significantly fewer eggs on infected berries. Furthermore, significantly fewer females of E. postvittana were found attracted to infected berries in the wind tunnel assay. Ethanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol were abundant in B. cinerea‐infected berries. Oviposition assays made with laboratory standards of ethanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol confirmed their role in regulating the olfactory behaviour of E. postvittana site selection.
CAPACIDADE ANTIOXIDANTE E ESTABILIDADE LIPÍDICA DO OVO DURANTE O PROCESSAMENTO E ESTOCAGEM

Resumo: Diferentes condicoes de processamento, embalagem e estocagem podem afetar a protecao antioxidante natural do ovo. Dessa forma, os objetivos do trabalho foram: (a) Padronizar uma metodologia in vitro capaz de avaliar a capacidade antioxidante do ovo in natura e processado; (b) Investigar o efeito da pasteurizacao e da atomizacao sobre a estabilidade oxidativa da fracao lipidica do ovo; e (c) Avaliar a capacidade antioxidante e a estabilidade oxidativa de acidos graxos do ovo integral pasteurizado atomizado, frasco de polietileno de alta densidade, opaco, sob atmosfera de nitrogenio, a 5±2oC, por ate 90 dias. O metodo do fosfomolibdenio para medir a capacidade antioxidante total da fracao lipidica (CATL) do ovo apresentou adequacao analitica, com limite de quantificacao de 0,017 mg α-tocoferol/mL. A CATL diminuiu com o progresso do processamento e o inverso foi observado quanto aos lipidios, 7-CETO (7cetocolesterol) e TBARS (substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbiturico). O ovo integral pasteurizado atomizado (OIPA) mantido sob condicoes de estocagem consideradas ideais permaneceu estavel em relacao a hidratacao, a CATL e as TBARS. Conclui-se que o metodo do fosfomolibdenio apresentou adequacao analitica suficiente. A pasteurizacao nao afetou nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados, mas a atomizacao provocou diminuicao significativa da CATL, e elevacao dos lipidios, TBARS e 7-CETO. Foi mantida a hidratacao e a estabilidade lipidica do OIPA estocado por 90 dias a 5°C, indicando que as condicoes de embalagem e estocagem foram efetivas.
A comparative study of antibacterial potential and phytochemical analysis between field grown and tissue cultured plant - Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. and Wendl.

A study was conducted to screen the efficacy of various solvents covering polar, non polar and neutral such as ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, acetone and aqueous extracts of in vitro raised leaves was compared with field grown leaves of S. xanthocarpum for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria using agar well diffusion technique. The diameter of zone of inhibition was taken as an indicator of antibacterial effect. The result showed that except aqueous leaf extract, extracts prepared from various organic solvents showed effective antibacterial activity against the test organisms. A strong inhibition zone was recorded in ethyl acetate and methanol extract of in vitro and field grown leaves against the test organism. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of field grown and tissue cultured plants aqueous leaf extract of S. xanthocarpum showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids, amino acids, and reducing sugars. The investigation indicated that S. xanthocarpum is one of the potential medicinal plant for therapeutic purpose. Among the two extracts tested for phytochemical analysis as well as antibacterial activity, extracts prepared from tissue cultured plants was found to be superior than field grown plants.
Study of the Efficiency of the Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta indica’s Seeds and Deltamethrin on Jatropha curcas L. Insect Pests: Case of Calidea panaethiopica (Hemoptera: Scutelliridae) and Aphtona whitfieldi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The efficiency of an aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica’s seeds and deltamethrin 12.5 EC was tested for the control of Calidea panaethiopica and Aphtona whitfieldi populations, two major insect pests of Jatropha curcas L. in Burkina Faso. This study was conducted in 2013 during the dry season and in 2014 during the raining season. In the laboratory, tests of toxicity by contact on paper blotter and by ingestion on organs of the plant and their repulsive effect on paper blotter were performed in vitro on the insect pests adults caught on J. curcasplantations as compared with controls. The aqueous excerpts of neem seeds were prepared at different lengths of steeping (12 h, 24 h and 48 h) and the deltamethrin 12.5 EC was diluted at different doses (4 ml, 8 ml and 16 ml/L). The results of this experiment showed the evidence of the efficiency of the doses 8 ml/L and 16 ml/L of deltamethrin 12.5 EC, and those of 24 h and 48 h for the excerpts of neem seeds. These efficient doses were evaluated in the field in 2013 and 2014. The highest decreases of C. panaethiopica (0.327) and of A. whitfieldi (0.501) populations were recorded with the 16 ml/L dose of deltamethrin in 2014 raining season. During the 2013 dry season, more insect pests were recorded (0.389 for C. panaethiopica and 0.679 for A. whitfieldi) with that dose. But these results were not significantly different from those of 8 ml/L. Regarding the A. indica extracts, the best decrease of populations in the 1st year (0.36 for C. panaethiopica and 1.278 for A. withfieldi) was recorded with the 48 h maceration. But in 2014 because of the effect of rainfalls that dose was less effective than that of 24 h maceration with 0.399 for C. panaethiopica and 1.208 for A. whitfieldi. The efficiency interval of the tested insecticides was two to three weeks in low or no rainfall conditions and one to two weeks in rainy season conditions.
Wood-rat (Rattus tiomanicus Miller) population build-up in a cocoa-coconut plantation after field-poisoning

The build-up of the Malaysian wood-rat populations in a cocoa-coconut plantation after field poisoning was studied. The rat populations were reduced to some low numbers by poison-baiting and monitored by multiple recapture technique thereafter. The populatiors recovercd rapidly and reached peak levels after 6 and 9 months. A target population (138 animals) that was greatly reduced to 18 rats recovered to about 88.4% (124 rats) of its original abundance. However, a larger number that was allowed to survive (38 rats), apparently had a similar rate of recovery, with the population peaking at 79.5% (90 rats) of its original density. Recruiment into the depopulated into the populated area was mostly via immigration. The number of rats in the control plots ranged from 112 to 161 animals during those periods. The proportion of recaptures (marked animals), population sizes and survival rates were higher in the control than baited plot (p 0.01) contributed to the rat population recovery in both the baited fields. Higher fluctuations in the rate of population change was noted in the baited fields than in the control plot. Kajian terhadap peningkatan populasi tikus dalam kawasan koko-kelapa selepas diracun telah dijalankan. Selepas diracuns secara pengumpanan, populasi tikus yang rendah dan perubahan setenrsnya telah diperhatikan secara teknik tangkap-menangkap (multiple capture recapture). Populasi tikus didapati bertambah dengan cepat dan mencapai tahap yang tinggi selepas 6 dan 9 bulan. Satu populasi tikus sebanyak 138 ekor yang telah dikurangkan kepada l8 ekor melalui peracunan, dapat pulih kepada 88.4% (124 ekor tikus) bilangan asalnya. Sebaliknya satu populasi tikus yang kurang kematian (38 ekor yang hidup) mempunyai kadar pemulihan yang hampir sama dan mencapai hanya 79.5% (90 ekor tikus) bilangan asalnya. Penambahan bilangan tikus dalam kawasan yang dikosongkan (depopulated) adalah secara imigrasi. Bilangan tikus dalam petak kawalan adalah antara 112 hingga 161 ekor selama tempoh kajian. Kadar bilangan tikus yang diperangkap semula (tikus yang ditanda), saiz populasi dan yang hidup (survival) dalam petak kawalan adalah lebih tinggi daripada dalam petak yang diumpan racun (p< 0.01, p< 0.01 dan p< 0.05 masing-masing). Kadar dilusi (dilution), iaitu kadar ahli-ahli baru dalam populasi antara petak kawalan dan yang diracun tidak menunjukkan perbezaan yang berkesan. Bilangan tikus jantan adalah lebih tinggi (p 0.01) dalam populasi tikus yang dipulih dalam kawasan yang telah diracun. Corak perubahan kadar populasi tikus dalam kawasan yang diracun adalah lebih tinggi daripada kawasan kawalan. Keywords: wood-rat; field-poisoning; population build-up
An Investigation of Retroelements in Clintonia Uniflora

The C-value paradox, which is the lack of correlation between genome size and organism complexity, was the focus in many early studies of the genome. The "paradox" has now been resolved and can be explained by the presence of transposable elements. Transposable elements can constitute up to 90% of an organism's genome. It is these transposable elements, specifically retroelements, which account for the differences seen in genome sizes of higher plants. In this thesis, three major classes of retroelements (Tyl/Copia-, Ty3/Gypsyand LINE-like elements) were studied in Clintonia uniflora, a member of the Family Liliaceae. Retroelement phylogeny, composition, abundance and activity were investigated in this species and, in addition, the relative abundance of retroelements in four other members of the Order Liliales was examined as part of a larger study on genome expansion in the Liliales. Degenerate primers, which allow for amplification of diverged retroelement sequences for the reverse transcriptase region, were used to amplify the retroelements. Subsequent cloning and sequencing of the elements indicate that retroelements have indeed been a contributing factor in the evolution of the Clintonia uniflora genome, with the most recent amplification being a group of Ty lICopia-like elements. In addition, this work showed the presence of an older, diverse population of copia and gypsy elements in the Clintonia genome. In studying retroelement copy number in Clintonia, it was determined that there is a higher copy number of copia elements than gypsy elements in
On the relevance of using laboratory selection to study the adaptive value of circadian clocks

The phrase ‘as sure as night comes after day’ highlights the most conspicuous phenomenon on earth (i.e. the daily cycling of geophysical factors). It is hypothesized that life‐forms on earth have evolved timekeeping mechanisms (circadian clocks) as adaptations to cope with such cyclic variations in their environment and, to test this hypothesis, diverse strategies have been employed. In this review, these different approaches, including comparative, clinal, ecology and/or trait manipulation and laboratory selection strategies are discussed, aiming to evaluate the adaptive value of circadian clocks. The limitations of each of these methods are assessed, and it is suggested that laboratory selection is an ideal, potent and suitable strategy for examining whether circadian clocks are indeed adaptations. In support of this, laboratory selection strategies are highlighted and critically reviewed in a discussion of studies that demonstrate the evolution of circadian clocks and life‐history traits in response to selection for the timing of rhythmic behaviours, as well as those studies that demonstrate the evolution of circadian clocks in response to selection for life‐history traits. Finally, newer approaches are proposed that involve the use of mutants, simultaneous manipulation of multiple environmental factors and genomic technologies in conjunction with laboratory selection to further explore the adaptive significance of circadian clocks.
Assembling the spiralian tree of life

The protostomes consist of Chaetognatha, a relatively small group of uncertain af nity, and two megadiverse clades—Ecdysozoa and Spiralia (the latter also sometimes referred to as Lophotrochozoa). Spiralia, which includes many kinds of worms, , atworms, molluscs, and related animal groups, comprises a greater number of animal phyla than any other nonoverlapping metazoan clade. Speci cally, these are Annelida (subsuming several former phyla: Echiura, Pogonophora, Sipuncula, Vestimentifera, and perhaps Myzostomida), Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, Cycliophora, Entoprocta, Gastrotricha, Gnathostomulida, Micrognathozoa, Mollusca, Nemertea, Phoronida, Platyhelminthes, and Rotifera (including the former phylum Acanthocephala) (Giribet, 2002, 2008; Halanych, 2004; Matus et al., 2006b; Dunn et al., 2008). This amount of phyletic diversity within Spiralia adds up to about half of the traditional extant animal phyla and, in terms of species numbers, includes the second largest phylum (Mollusca) as well as the two phyla with some The advent of numerical methods for analysing phylogenetic relationships, along with the study of morphology and molecular data, have driven our understanding of animal relationships for the past three decades. Within the protostome branch of the animal tree of life these data have suf ced to establish two major clades—Ecdysozoa, a clade of animals that all moult, and Spiralia (often called Lophotrochozoa), a clade whose most recent common ancestor had spiral cleavage. In this chapter we outline the current knowledge of protostome relationships and discuss future perspectives and strategies to increase our understanding of relationships within the main spiralian clades. Novel approaches to coding morphological characters are a pressing concern, best dealt with by scoring real observations on species selected as terminals. Methodological issues, such as the treatment of inapplicable characters and the coding of absences, may require novel algorithmic developments. Taxon sampling is another pressing issue, as terminals within phyla should include enough species to represent their span of anatomical disparity. Furthermore, key fossil taxa that can contribute novel character state combinations, such as the so-called ‘stem-group lophotrochozoans’, should not be neglected. In the molecular forum, expressed sequence tag (EST)-based phylogenomics is playing an increasingly important role in elucidating animal relationships. Large-scale sequencing has recently exploded for Spiralia, and phylogenomic data are lacking from only a few phyla, including the three most recently discovered animal phyla (Cycliophora, Loricifera, and Micrognathozoa). CHAPTER 6
Survivorship analysis of Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites

Cohort analysis is used to investigate survivorship of trilobites originating during the Cambrian and Ordovician. Using a time-homogeneous branching model, it is estimated that trilobite genera and species originating during the Ordovician survived three times longer than Cambrian genera and species. Monte Carlo simulation of survivorship is used to show that (1) Cambrian and Ordovician survivorship are significantly different, (2) Ordovician cohorts conform more closely to the time-homogeneous model than do Cambrian cohorts, and (3) deviations from temporal homogeneity are more often produced by extraordinary extinction than by unusually slow turnover. When Early Ordovician cohorts are decomposed into genera within families that originated in the Cambrian versus the Ordovician, no evidence that Cambrian and Ordovician survivorship differences are clade-specific can be found. Ordovician genera of Cambrian affinity and of Ordovician affinity become extinct at similar rates. Some of the ultimate causes of these differences in survivorship include (1) taxonomic inconsistency, (2) greater environmental stability in the Ordovician, and (3) more highly structured ecosystems in the Ordovician that may have led to the weeding out of extinction-prone taxa.
Effect of trehalose on bioluminescence and viability of freeze-dried bacterial cells

Two recombinant bacteria containing luxAB showed an increased tolerance to stresses associated with lyophilization, when the cells were freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose. In the case of a recombinant, UV2, only 2.5% of the original bioluminescence and 2.7% of the cell viability were restored after 4 h of freeze-drying without trehalose, which implies that the cells were heavily damaged during the dehydration. To improve these losses, trehalose was added before freeze-drying using different modes. Trehalose increased the bioluminescence and the viability of freeze-dried UV2 under all conditions tested, and it was also observed that the addition of trehalose to the cultures (final concentration of 0.08 M) for 15 min before the freeze-drying resulted in the restoration of 45% of the original bioluminescence and 50% of the cell viability. Trehalose also showed a similar efficacy with the other luminescent recombinant, YH9. Therefore, it was tentatively concluded that trehalose played a role as a protective agent in the freeze-drying of bacterial cells.
PROMOTING GROWTH WITH PGPR

A t a molecular level, plants are rather leaky. They are perpetually sloughing off cells, leaking moisture, nutrients, carbohydrates and other compounds. Because the plant roots provide food, shelter and energy, areas of very high biological diversity are found directly on roots and the areas next to them. This area is collectively called the rhizosphere [‘rhizo-’ = root]. Organic farmers and gardeners have long recognized the importance of soil biology. Early on, they saw the role of rhizobia, mycorrhizae, biological control organisms, and the whole of the soil foodweb in maintaining soil quality for crop production. However, rhizobia and mycorrhizae are just a small portion of the total biodiversity in the soil. Although our knowledge has increased, we remain woefully ignorant about soil biology. There is a group of soil bacteria that few people, let alone organic growers, know about. This is a group of bacteria known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).
RESOURCE PARTITIONING BY THE ESTUARINE TURTLE MALACLEMYS TERRAPIN: TROPHIC, SPATIAL, AND TEMPORAL FORAGING CONSTRAINTS

We investigated the foraging ecology of the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) in South Carolina by examining fecal samples for evidence of resource partitioning. From 76-79% of the dietary volume was the salt marsh periwinkle (Littorina irrorata); crabs (Uca pugnax, Sesarma reticulatum, and Callinectes sapidus), barnacles (Balanus), and clams (Polynesoda car- oliniana) constituted the remainder. Dietary partitioning is related to the ontogenetic niche of terrapins. Sexual dimorphism occurs in terrapins with females having larger heads and bodies than males. Terrapins with large head widths ingest significantly larger periwinkles and a wider diversity of prey than terrapins with small head widths. Dietary overlap between males and females is greatest when females are small and decreases as females develop larger enlarged heads. Sexual dimorphism in terrapin trophic structures appears to be partially driven by ecological divergence through resource partitioning. High tides permit terrapins to forage aquatically in upper reaches of the salt marsh. Prey size and distribution are variable and changing tidal heights affect the spatiotemporal availability of prey to foraging terrapins. Divergent foraging strategies for terrapins of different head widths may result in habitat partitioning. Food accessibility rather than food abundance may be a limiting factor for terrapins in areas of high tidal variability. Terrapins are clearly prominent but unrec- ognized macroconsumers in salt marsh ecosystems.
Effect of cobalt on the growth of a Micromonospora purpurea var. violacea 1935 culture and on the biosynthesis of gentamincin

The effect of cobalt on growth of Micromonospora purpurea var. violacea 1935 and biosynthess of gentamicin in complex soy-bean meal or "synthetic" gelatin medium was studied. In optimal concentrations cobalt increased the activity level of the culture fluid almost 6 times in both media having practically no effect on the amount of the mycelium formed. Addition of cobalt to the medium resulted in retardation of the organism growth and consumption of the nutrients. Stimulation of gentamicin biosynthesis by cobalt was inversely proportional to the time of the trace element addition. The cobalt effect depended on the aeration conditions, inorganic phosphorus level in the medium and physiological condition of the mycelium.