Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Efficacy of Nigella sativa and Allium sativum as Growth Promoters in Broilers

The present work was aimed at knowing the effect of various levels of garlic (Allium sativum) and kalongi (Nigella sativa) as herbal growth promoters on the (i) growth performance of broilers and on the (ii) dressing percentage, relative weight of heart, gizzard, liver, spleen and pancreas of the broilers. One hundred and fifty day old broiler (Hubbard) chicks were divided in five groups viz., A, B, C, D and E. Group A served as control and was fed ration without any supplementation. Whereas group B and C were fed ration supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% kalongi, respectively. Similarly the birds in group D and E were fed ration supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% garlic, respectively. The experimental rations consisted of broiler starter mash and broiler finisher mash, which were fed from 2-4 and 5-6 weeks of age, respectively. The supplementation of kalongi and garlic in the broiler ration significantly (P .05) between the average dressing percentages, relative giblet weight (heart, gizzard, liver & spleen) and relative pancreas weight of the broilers fed rations with or without supplementation of garlic or kalongi. It is therefore concluded that dietary inclusion of garlic or kalongi in the rations may be used for economical and efficient production of broilers.
Microphone Array Geometries for Horizontal Spatial Audio Object Capture With Beamforming

Microphone array beamforming can be used to enhance and separate sound sources, with applications in the capture of object-based audio. Many beamforming methods have been proposed and assessed against each other. However, the effects of compact microphone array design on beamforming performance have not been studied for this kind of application. This study investigates how to maximize the quality of audio objects extracted from a horizontal sound field by filter-and-sum beamforming, through appropriate choice of microphone array design. Eight uniform geometries with practical constraints of a limited number of microphones and maximum array size are evaluated over a range of physical metrics. Results show that baffled circular arrays outperform the other geometries in terms of perceptually relevant frequency range, spatial resolution, directivity and robustness. Moreover, a subjective evaluation of microphone arrays and beamformers is conducted with regards to the quality of the target sound, interference suppression and overall quality of simulated music performance recordings. Baffled circular arrays achieve higher target quality and interference suppression than alternative geometries with wideband signals. Furthermore, subjective scores of beamformers regarding target quality and interference suppression agree well with beamformer onaxis and off-axis responses; with wideband signals the superdirective beamformer achieves the highest overall quality.
Recovery of sertoli cells by Allium cepa in Toxoplasma gondii infected rats

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is globally widespread and it affects men and animals. We investigated the effect of allium cepa (onion juice) on sperm parameters, testestrone level in male rats was experimentally infected by T. gondii.Wistar male rats (n=40) were allocated into four groups: control group (n=10), T1 group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (n=10), T2 group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii plus fresh onion juice 1cc per rat daily by gavages method (n=10), and T3 group which received fresh onion juice 1cc per rat daily by gavage method (n=10). 30 days after inducing toxoplasma, 5cc blood were collected for measuring testosterone. Testes tissues of rats in all groups were removed; then, they were prepared for sertoli cells analysis. Serum total testosterones and sertoli were significantly decreased in groups that were infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onion groups. Moreover, comparing to control group (p<0.05), testes weights in toxoplasma group were drastically decreased. Since, in our study, T.gondii had grave effect on serum total testosterones, and because of applying fresh onion juice led to removing this harmful effect, it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in infected men. Key words: Allium cepa, testes, testosterone,Toxoplasma gondii.
Revision of the Neotropical genus Triportheus Cope, 1872 (Characiformes: Characidae)

The genus Triportheus Cope, 1872 is revised and a total of 16 species (including 3 new species) are recognized from most of the major river drainages of South America. Triportheus magdalenae (Steindachner, 1878) is the sole species occurring west of the Andean Cordilleras. Triportheus paranensis (Gunther, 1874) is considered a junior synonym of Triportheus nematurus (Kner, 1858) and a new Triportheus species is described for the rio Paraguay basin. Chalcinus rotundatus iquitensis Nakashima, 1941 and Chalcinus elongatus iquitensis Nakashima, 1941 are placed into the synonymy of Triportheus albus Cope, 1872 and T. culter (Cope, 1872) respectively. The name Salmo clupeoides employed by Natterer (in Kner, 1860) is considered a nomen nudum. Neotypes are designated for Chalceus angulatus Spix & Agassiz, 1829, Chalceus rotundatus Jardine in Schomburgk, 1841 and Chalcinus auritus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1850. Lectotypes are designated for Chalcinus brachipomus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1850 and Chalcinus nematurus. Identification keys are provided for the Triportheus species in the major drainage basins of South America.
Variation in Leaf Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stoichiometry in Different Functional Groups of Legumes

The legume is notable owing to their symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixing ability. Usually, higher leaf N concentration and N to phosphorus (P) ratio (N:P) in legumes than non-legumes. However, the variations of leaf N, P and N:P and their relationship had been hardly studied based on functional groups. In this study, we studied the leaf N, P and N:P and their relationship among different functional groups. The results showed that the average values of leaf N, P and N:P ratios for all legumes were 27.33 mg g-1, 1.27 mg g-1 and 21.94, respectively. Leaf N (36.96 mg g-1) and P (2.15 mg g-1) of herbaceous legumes are significantly higher than N (24.97 mg g-1) and P (1.18 mg g-1) in woody plants, respectively. Moreover, leaf N, P and N:P of shrub markedly higher than them in tree. Leaf N and P are always higher in deciduous than evergreen legumes. A negative correlation was found between leaf N:P and P in overall and different functional groups of legumes.
Algal density assessed by spectrophotometry: A calibration curve for the unicellular algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

The unicellular algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korschikov) Hindak has been frequently used for ecotoxicological tests. In this paper, a calibration curve is proposed correlating absorbance values (684 nm) and cell density for routine ecotoxicological experiments. Density (cells/mL) could be estimated as follow: Cell Density = e
Within-Season Changes in the Residual Weed Community and Crop Tolerance to Interference over the Long Planting Season of Sweet Corn

Abstract Sweet corn is planted over a long season to temporally extend the perishable supply of ears for fresh and processing markets. Most growers' fields have weeds persisting to harvest (hereafter called residual weeds), and evidence suggests the crop's ability to endure competitive stress from residual weeds (i.e., crop tolerance) is not constant over the planting season. Field studies were conducted to characterize changes in the residual weed community over the long planting season and determine the extent to which planting date influences crop tolerance to weed interference in growth and yield traits. Total weed density at harvest was similar across five planting dates from mid-April to early-July; however, some changes in composition of species common to the midwestern United States were observed. Production of viable weed seed within the relatively short growth period of individual sweet corn plantings showed weed seedbank additions are influenced by species and planting date. Crop tolerances in growth and yield were variable in the mid-April and both May plantings, and the crop was least affected by weed interference in the mid-June and early-July planting dates. As the planting season progressed from late-May to early-July, sweet corn accounted for a great proportion of the total crop–weed biomass. Based on results from Illinois, a risk management perspective to weeds should recognize the significance of planting date on sweet corn competitive ability. This work suggests risk of yield loss from weed control failure is lower in late-season sweet corn plantings (June and July) than earlier plantings (April and May). Nomenclature: Corn, Zea mays L.
Agronomic and phytochemical characterization of Cyclanthera pedata Schrad. cultivated in central Italy

The aims of this study were to provide an agronomic and phytochemical characterization of Cyclanthera pedata Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae family) and assess its potential for adaptation to the soil and climate conditions of Italy. At each harvest date, characteristics of seed present in the harvested fruits were analyzed with germination tests to study the influence of temperature and light conditions. In addition, quantitative chemical analyses of O- and C- chrisine and apigenine flavon glycosides, already reported in the fruits of C. pedata (Montoro et al., 2001; Carbone et al., 2004) were performed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) coupled with ESI-ITMS (electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry) on harvested fruits. In the trial environment C. pedata achieved excellent results both from an agronomic point of view and with regard to the characteristics of the main active ingredients produced. Key words: Cyclanthera pedata, hypoglycemic plant, germination test, HPLC-MS, flavonoids.
Effects of pelletizing and supplementary methionine, lysine, and choline on the performance of periparturient dairy cows

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pelletizing a portion of concentrate, and additional supplementary methionine (Met) and lysine (Lys) and choline on milk performance of periparturient cows. Animals were allocated to one of four treatments: basal unpellitized concentrate diet (control) and three diets in which a portion of the concentrate in the basal diet (6.72% DM prepartum; 15.7% DM postpartum) was pelletized and amino acids were added as follows: basal pellet (PEL), PEL plus lysine and methionine (PAA), and PAA plus choline (PAC). Pelletizing a portion of the diet (PEL) results in a significant increase in milk yield compared with the unpellitized control and addition of Lys and Met (PAA) but not choline (PAC) increased the yield further. Milk composition did not differ among treatments, but their yields increased by inclusion of Lys and Met-containing pelletized concentrate. Feeding Lys and Met-containing pelletized concentrate resulted in higher N conversion and fat content of milk compared with control and PEL. Cows on pelletized concentrate containing Lys and Met with or without choline tended to have lower serum non-esterified fatty acid, but no differences were observed in other parameters. It is concluded that pelletizing of a portion of concentrate can improve milk production and there is an additional beneficial effect of Lys and Met supplementation on yield and N and fat content of milk, but no additional effect of adding choline was observed.
Low-temperature bleaching of cotton induced by glucose oxidase enzymes and hydrogen peroxide activators

Glucose oxidase enzymes were used to produce hydrogen peroxide from glucose and oxygen in aqueous solutions. Different working conditions, that is, temperature, aeration with liquefied air, presence of cotton fibre and time of enzyme activity, were tested in order to obtain a solution with the highest possible concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide produced was transformed into different peracids which could bleach the cotton fabric under mild conditions, at a pH between 7 and 8 and at a temperature of around 60°C. The conversion or activation of hydrogen peroxide was conducted with the bleach activators TAED, NOBS and TBBC. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and peracids in the solutions were measured with sodium thiosulphate titrations. The results indicated that the formation of hydrogen peroxide with glucose oxidase was effective under optimal conditions, which are 50°C, pH 4.6 and aeration. Convenient activators for the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into peracids were TAED and TBBC, which enabled attainment of a relatively high degree of whiteness at pH 7.5 and temperature 50°C. Using the activator NOBS under these conditions did not provide enough peracid to markedly improve whiteness.
Cryptic taxa should have names: Reflections in the glasswort genus Salicornia (Amaranthaceae)

Incongruence between morphology and molecules, i.e., genetic differentiation of lineages that are morphologically identical, or morphological variation among accessions sharing identical genotypes, has been increasingly reported and is most problematic in taxa with reduced morphologies. We here review and discuss these issues for plant taxonomy, taking Salicornia, one of the taxonomically most challenging genera of angiosperms, as a model. We argue in favour of a taxonomic system that remains as much 'workable' as possible for traditional morphology-based taxonomy, but avoids merging genetically widely divergent lineages despite their morphological similarity. Our revised classification of Eurasian taxa includes four species, ten subspecies and one nothosubspecies. The molecular and morphological characteristics as well as the geographical distribu- tion of each taxon are described. A key to the Eurasian taxa based on morphology and geographical distribution is presented.
GROWTH OF LATERAL ROOT PRIMORDIA IN VICIA FABA L.

SUMMARY Over the 136 h period between the initiation of a lateral root primordium and its subsequent emergence as a secondary root, cell number, length and volume of the primordium tended to increase in a linear manner, each increase being closely correlated with the others. The corresponding rates of increase, however, when calculated for different stages of primordium development, fluctuated greatly. Thus, the rate of cell proliferation was high 10 h following anlage initiation, but was subsequently very low. The rates of increase in meristem volume and length were also high at an early stage of primordium development (28–45 h), but decreased to reach minimal values between 62 and 78 h before increasing again. These changes in rate are discussed with respect to the development of a cavity in the adjacent cortical tissues of the primary root. Such cavities, which are initiated as a result of mechanical pressure, begin to form when the primordium has attained a cell number of about 1490 and reach a maximum size when the primordium contains about 10,800 cells.
Sexual Dimorphism in Alligator Gar

Abstract The Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula is currently imperiled due to habitat alterations and overharvest within much of this species’ range. Recent interest in improving management for this species within the USA and Mexico has spurred new creel restrictions, spawning area closures, and stocking programs, along with increased research on life history and population dynamics. These management and research measures can be improved by a noninvasive method for determining sex. Previous methods have required sacrificing the fish (for internal anatomy confirmation) or using costly and time-consuming assays from a specialized laboratory. Evidence from other gar species suggests that sex determination is possible by examining sexually dimorphic external characters. We evaluated the utility of 13 morphological measurements for determining the sex of Alligator Gars of known gender (n = 117; SL range, 591–1,255 mm). Discriminate analysis identified two influential variables (snout length and caudal peduncle.
Phytochrome effects on stem carbon gain in light-grown mustard seedlings are not simply the result of stem extension-growth responses

Carbon allocation and partitioning were investigated in the first internode of light-grown Sinapis alba L. seedlings exposed to white light (WL) with or without supplementary far-red light (FR). In the internode, supplementary FR increased the rates of extension-growth and the accumulation of radiolabeled carbon (fed through the leaves), reducing sugars (even per unit volume), starch, hemicellulose and cellulose, but had no effect on the levels of sucrose and ammonium oxalate-solubilised cell wall carbohydrates, on invertase activity or on the use of additional sucrose fed through the leaves. In source leaves, supplementary FR had no effect on photosynthesis rates and reduced the accumulation of radiolabeled carbon. Mechanical reduction of stem extension-growth responses to supplementary FR did not affect internode carbohydrate or carbon accumulation responses. Supplementary FR provided only to one leaf had no effect on internode extension growth but increased carbon accumulation in the internode, provided that supplementary FR and radiolabeled carbon were both given to the same leaf. Phytochrome-mediated effects on carbon partitioning are not the mere consequence of internode extension-growth responses. Some additional control point(s) (e.g. leaf-source strength) must be under the direct influence of phytochrome.
Geoengineering Assessment of Subgrade Highway Structural Material along Ijebu Owo – Ipele Pavement, Southwestern Nigeria

Geochemical, geotechnical, and geophysical investigations were carried out along Migmatite gneiss underlain Iyere – Ipele pavement (under construction) in order to assess the suitability of the imported subgrade soil. Also static water level (SWL) was obtained from five open wells along the highway. The geotechnical tests include specific gravity, grain size analysis, consistency limits, consolidation, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and shear strength; while geochemical tests were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results show that SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 constitute an average of 46.2%, 23.30% and 26.54% respectively of the soils chemical composition. The silica- sesquioxide ratio of the samples ranges from 0.89 to 0.96 and classified as true laterite. The topsoil along the highway is made of moderately competent/competent soil with resistivity ranging from 298 – 924 ohm-m and thickness of 3.1 - 8.2 m. The SWL varies from 3.3 - 5.5 m with an average of 4.3 m (moderately low). The soils are characterized by high California Bearing Ratio values, moderate shear strength (150 – 200kpa), and unconfined compressive strength (300 – 420kpa) with predominant kaolinite clay mineralogy group. The AASHTO and USCS classification system rate the soils as good and fair/good respectively.
Plant respiration in productivity models: conceptualisation, representation and issues for global terrestrial carbon-cycle research.

Plant respiratory regulation is too complex for a mechanistic representation in current terrestrial productivity models for carbon accounting and global change research. Accordingly, simpler approaches that attempt to capture the essence of respiration are commonly adopted. Several approaches have been used in the literature: respiration may be embedded implicitly in growth algorithms; assumed values for specific respiration rates may be adopted; respiration may be calculated in terms of growth and maintenance components; conservatism in the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis (R : P) may be assumed; or a more complex process or residual approach may be adopted. Review of this literature suggests that the assumption of conservative R : P ratio is an effective and practicable approach in the context of C-cycle modelling for global change research and documentation, requiring minimal ecosystem-specific data on respiration.Some long-standing controversies in respiration are now becoming resolved. The apparently wasteful process of cyanide-resistant respiration by the alternative oxidase may not be wasteful, as it is thought to be involved in protecting the plant from 'reactive oxygen species'. It is now clear that short-term respiratory response coefficients of plants (e.g. the Q10) do not predict their long-term temperature response. A new experimental approach suggests that leaf respiration is not suppressed by light as previously thought. Careful experiments, taking account of several proposed measurement artefacts, indicate that plant respiration is not suppressed by elevated CO2 concentration in a short-term reversible way.
Multiscale landscape and wetland drivers of lake total phosphorus and water color

We quantified relationships between local wetland cover in the riparian lake buffer and lake total phosphorus (TP) and water color (color) using multilevel mixed‐effects models that also incorporate landscape features such as hydrogeomorphology and land use at broad regional scales to determine the following: (1) Within regions, are local wetland relationships with TP and color affected by interactions with local land use or hydrogeomorphic variables? (2) Across regions, are local wetland relationships with TP and color different? And if so, (3) Are differences in local wetland relationships with TP and color a result of cross‐scale interactions? We answered these questions by analyzing TP, color, and multiscaled landscape data for 1790 north temperate lakes. Local wetland‐TP and wetland‐color relationships were not affected by local‐scale interactions. However, these same relationships were different when compared across regions, and these differences were related to cross‐scale interactions with regional landscape characteristics. For example, regional human land use affected local wetland‐TP relationships such that in regions with high amounts of agriculture, local wetlands were associated with decreased lake TP. However, in regions with low amounts of agriculture, local wetlands were associated with increased lake TP. In contrast, regional hydrogeomorphic characteristics influenced local wetland‐color relationships such that in regions with high groundwater contribution, the strength of local wetland relationships were weak. Regional landscape setting influences local wetland relationships with TP and color through cross‐scale interactions, and lake TP and color are controlled by both local‐scale wetland extent and regional‐scale landscape variables.