Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavior of Staphylococcus aureus in Turkish Feta Cheese During Manufacture and Ripening.

S. aureus was enumerated during the manufacture and ripening period of Turkish feta cheeses with particular reference to different inoculation levels of S. aureus , the addition of starter culture, salt concentration, and storage time. Cheeses were also examined periodically for aerobic plate count, pH values, moisture, fat, and salt content. An increase in the number of S. aureus cells was observed during manufacture. Following salting and throughout the storage period, the number of S. aureus cells decreased at a rate depending on the salt concentration, starter activity, and the storage time. The initial inoculation level did not affect the survival of S. aureus during the storage period.
Feed resources and livestock production situation in the highland and mid altitude areas of Horro and Guduru Districts of Oromia Regional State, Western Ethiopia

A survey was conducted in the highland and mid altitude areas of Horro and Guduru districts of Horro Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia Regional State, western Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing livestock production situation, livestock production constraints, major feed resources and their potential contribution. A single-visit multi subject formal survey method was used in the survey. A total of 210 household heads, 60 from highland and 150 from mid altitude areas were selected and interviewed. The average land holding was 4.43±0.26 ha per household in the highland and 3.98±0.11 ha in the mid altitude areas. The average size of grazing lands of highland respondents (0.73±0.08 ha) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of mid altitude (0.47±0.03 ha). Similarly, the average livestock holdings of highland respondents (13.00±0.60 heads) were significantly higher ( p <0.001) than that of mid altitude livestock holding (9.72±0.45 heads) in which cattle dominates other species. Feed shortage, health problem, poor genetic potential, labour and water shortage were listed as major constraints for livestock production. Natural pasture, cop residues, stubble grazing were listed as major feed resources, with minimal contribution of improved forages and local beverage by products (Diqi or atela). Disappearance of better quality and palatable species of grasses, expansion of invasive plants like Raphanus raphanistrum and Parthenium hysterophorus, and depletion of soil nutrients were listed as factors affecting the quality of grazing land. An average of 11.55 and 13.89 tons of feed dry matter (DM) was produced per household of highland and mid altitude, respectively, of which about 74.03% of the feed in highland and 80.63 % in mid altitude were obtained from crop residues. The contribution of private grazing land was estimated to be 11.7 and 6.41 % of the total feed supply from the private holdings in highland and mid altitude areas, respectively. The contribution of stubble (after math grazing) was estimated to be 14.81 and 13.03 % of the feed that can be obtained from private holdings. K e y w o r d s : Livestock, Natural pasture, Crop residues, Aftermath grazing, Agro-ecologies
Nouvelles observations sur les spores d'Epichloe typhina (Fr. ex Tul.), Clavicipitacée pathogène des graminées

Epichloe typhina est un champignon ascomycete phytopathogene possedant 3 types de spores : spermaties, ascospores et conidies issues d'ascospores. Toutes ces spores sont produites par la phase epiphyte du champignon qui s'exprime sous la forme de manchons myceliens enserrant les inflorescences des graminees de type Pooideae. L'implication de chacune de ces spores dans les processus infectieux est mal connue. Leur germination sur milieu artificiel et milieu naturel a ete etudiee. Les spermaties ont une germination bipolaire et leur role semble limite a celui de gamete mâle. Les ascospores forment des tubes germinatifs pour la production de mycelium ainsi que des conidiophores qui produisent une nouvelle generation de spores asexuees : les conidies. Ces spores, bien que morphologiquement identiques aux spermaties, forment un tube germinatif et un conidiophore qui produit une nouvelle generation de conidies. Nous decrivons pour la premiere fois une trame mycelienne formee par l'accolement des ascospores d'E. typhina, produisant une quantite importante de conidies en conditions humides.
Combining seasonal yield, silage dry matter yield, quality and persistency in an economic index to assist perennial ryegrass variety selection

SUMMARY A total economic merit index (Pasture Profit Index, PPI) for perennial ryegrass variety selection was developed to rank perennial ryegrass varieties (Lolium perenne L.) based on their economic potential for grass-based ruminant production systems. The key traits of importance identified were: spring, mid-season (April 11–August 10) and autumn dry matter (DM) yield, first and second cut silage DM yield, grass quality April to July (inclusive) and sward persistency. Variety persistency was quantified by determining the ground score (GS) change across years, which was associated with a yield threshold which triggered sward replacement. Each one-unit decline in GS was associated with a 1683 kg loss in DM yield. Data generated in the Irish recommended list trials for value for cultivation and use were analysed to quantify the relative performance of each variety for each of the aforementioned traits. A previously developed methodology to generate economic values was used with updated price assumptions to develop economic values, which were applied to the analysed performance data of individual varieties. These data were used to estimate the total economic merit of each variety. Thirty-nine varieties were ranked on total economic merit with the highest performing variety (Cv111) generating €213 per ha/year compared with Cv201, which was the lowest ranking variety generating −€31 per ha/year. Use of the PPI provides information to end users in relation to the economic merit of one variety over another, facilitating a more informed decision-making process at farm level.
The Relationship between Adaptive Strategy Selection and Cognitive Effort: An Eye-tracking Study

W badaniu okulograficznym sprawdzaliśmy, czy struktura problemu decyzyjnego oraz zaangazowanie poznawcze bedą przewidywaly wybory w warunkach ryzyka. Wykorzystaliśmy problemy decyzyjne o niskiej i wysokiej proporcji wartości oczekiwanych, ktora to miara moze byc wskaźnikiem trudności obliczeniowej lub wagi problemu decyzyjnego. Jako wskaźniki zaangazowania poznawczego zastosowaliśmy miary wielkości źrenicy oraz czasu reakcji. Sprawdzaliśmy, jak czesto wybory byly zgodne z przewidywaniami teorii perspektywy oraz heurystyki pierwszenstwa. Wyniki wykazaly, ze struktura problemu decyzyjnego nie przewidywala zmiany w wielkości źrenicy. Osoby badane cześciej podejmowaly decyzje zgodne z przewidywaniami teorii perspektywy w problemach o wysokiej proporcji wartości oczekiwanych. W problemach o niskiej proporcji wartości oczekiwanych wybory byly cześciej przewidywane przez heurystyke pierwszenstwa. Struktura problemu decyzyjnego nie wplywala na zmiany wielkości źrenicy, ale badani dluzej dokonywali wyborow zgodnych z przewidywaniami teorii perspektywy. Ponadto zaobserwowaliśmy, ze prawdopodobienstwo wyboru zgodnego z przewidywaniami heurystyki pierwszenstwa zmniejszalo sie wraz z szerokością źrenicy, ale tylko w problemach decyzyjnych o niskiej proporcji wartości oczekiwanych.
Influence of pre-slaughter transportation and stocking density on carcass and meat quality characteristics of Boer goats

Abstract There are limited studies on the effects of transportation stress and stocking density under tropical conditions and their interactions with aging and muscle types on carcass and meat quality characteristics of goat. The present study investigated the effects of transportation and stocking density on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of Longissimus dorsi, and Semimembranosus muscles in Boer goats. Thirty 1-year-old Boer goats, divided into two groups, were transported by road for 3.5 h, with density of 0.4 m2 and 0.2 m2 per animal, respectively; a third group which was not transported served as control. Meat pH, drip loss, cooking loss, tenderness and colour were measured from samples of the muscles. The transported goats had significantly lower carcass shrinkage, glycogen content, drip loss, tenderness, lightness, yellowness, hue-angle and chroma values compared to the non-transported group. In contrast, they showed significantly higher cooking loss and redness than the non-transported goats. Goats transported in high stocking density showed significantly (p < .05) higher live weight loss and lower dressing-out percentage than those in low stocking density. This study indicated that higher stocking density at pre-slaughter transportation increased shrinkage loss and deteriorated meat quality of goats. Therefore, using an appropriate density during transportation should be considered.
Large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure in the longest tropical river in Asia

Although the Mekong River is one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, the large-scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure remain poorly addressed. This study aimed to investigate the fish distribution patterns in the Lower Mekong River (LMR) and to identify their environmental determinants. Daily fish catch data (i.e. from December 2000 to November 2001) at 38 sites distributed along the LMR were related to 15 physicochemical and 19 climatic variables. As a result, four different clusters were defined according to the similarity in assemblage composition and 80 indicator species were identified. While fish species richness was highest in the Mekong delta and lowest in the upper part of the LMR, the diversity index was highest in the middle part of the LMR and lowest in the delta. We found that fish assemblages changed along the environmental gradients and that the main drivers affecting the fish assemblage structure were the seasonal variation of temperature, precipitation, dissolved oxygen, pH and total phosphorus. Specifically, upstream assemblages were characterised by cyprinids and Pangasius catfish, well suited to low temperature, high dissolved oxygen and high pH. Fish assemblages in the delta were dominated by perch-like fish and clupeids, more tolerant to high temperatures, and high levels of nutrients (nitrates and total phosphorus) and salinity. Overall, the patterns were consistent between seasons. Our study contributes to establishing the first holistic fish community study in the LMR.
Dietary fat and climate alter food intake, performance of lactating sows and their litters and fatty acid composition of milk

Two experiments were carried out simultaneously in a temperate environment (T), at Sourches (west France), with 24 Landrace X Large White sows and in a tropical environment (TRO), in Guadeloupe, France (16° latitude N, 61° longitude W), with 18 Large White sows, to study the effect of incorporating fat into the lactation diet on sow and litter performance. In each environment, multiparous sows were divided into three groups and given either a control diet (C) containing 20 g fat per kg, or the same diet enriched with a 50 : 50 peanut-rapeseed oil mixture, so as to obtain a fat content of 80 g/kg (medium fat, MF) or 140 g/kg (high fat, HF). A restricted experimental diet was supplied to the sows from day 105 of gestation until farrowing and then ad libitum throughout the 28-day lactation period. The piglets all had ad libitum access to solid food from day 21 to day 70. Milk samples were collected 24 h post partum (colostrum) and at day 21 of lactation. Chemical composition of milk was determined and fatty acid composition was assessed by capillary gas chromatography. Compared with T, the TRO sows showed an increase (P
Effect of GnRH treatment on biochemical and mineral profiles in postpartum Surti buffaloes

Weekly blood biochemical and mineral profiles of 11 suckled postpartum anoestrus Surti buffaloes were studied from the day of calving to at least 91 days postpartum to evaluate the effect of GnRH treatment (250 μg i/m) onday 40 PP (n=6; control n=5). Buffaloes responding to treatment were inseminated, and pregnancy was confirmed 6-8 weeks later. The trend of cholesterol rise on different weeks postpartum was earlier and higher in GnRH treatment group than that in control group. Total cholesterol levels of treated buffaloes were significantly higher in comparison to control group on 5-6 weeks (216.97 ′ 9.88 vs 153.45 ′ 11.75 mg%) and 13-14 weeks postpartum (263.48 ′34.17 vs 204.06′17.98 mg%). The values of total protein were significantly lower in GnRH treatment group than that in control at 1-2 and 11-14 weeks postpartum. The calcium and phosphorus levels of treated group were significantly lower than control only at 7-8 and 5-6 weeks postpartum respectively. The weekly profile of Ca: P ratio and ionized calcium did not show significant difference at any stage postpartum. Plasma iron levels in treatment group showed highest and lowest values at 11-12 weeks and 1-2 weeks postpartum, respectively, whereas in control group it was significantly higher by 7-8 and 15-16 weeks postpartum. Zinc level was significantly higher on the day of calving in treatment group than that in control group. Copper level was significantly higher only at 9-10 weeks postpartum in GnRH treated as compared to control group, and week-wise values in both the groups varied nonsignificantly. Manganese levels in control group were significantly higher on the day of calving and from 5-15 weeks, and lowest on 3-4 weeks postpartum, but group differences were not significant. Cholesterol had significant positive correlations with Ca: P ratio and ionised calcium, and negative correlations with total protein, phosphorus and manganese levels. Plasma copper was negatively correlated with first heat postpartum (r = -0.34). The GnRH-treated buffaloes resumed ovarian activity and expressed first postpartum oestrus significantly earlier than its control. Nearly 80% buffaloes ovulated within 15 days of GnRH treatment with 100% conception by 80 days postpartum and reduced calving interval indicating promising response towards improving reproductive efficiency.
Predator control should not be a shot in the dark

Livestock owners traditionally use various non-lethal and lethal methods to protect their domestic animals from wild predators. However, many of these methods are implemented without first considering experimental evidence of their effectiveness in mitigating predation-related threats or avoiding ecological degradation. To inform future policy and research on predators, we systematically evaluated evidence for interventions against carnivore (canid, felid, and ursid) predation on livestock in North American and European farms. We also reviewed a selection of tests from other continents to help assess the global generality of our findings. Twelve published tests – representing five non-lethal methods and 7 lethal methods – met the accepted standard of scientific inference (random assignment or quasi-experimental case-control) without bias in sampling, treatment, measurement, or reporting. Of those twelve, prevention of livestock predation was demonstrated in six tests (four non-lethal and two lethal), whereas counterintuitive increases in predation were shown in two tests (zero non-lethal and two lethal); the remaining four (one non-lethal and three lethal) showed no effect on predation. Only two non-lethal methods (one associated with livestock-guarding dogs and the other with a visual deterrent termed “fladry”) assigned treatments randomly, provided reliable inference, and demonstrated preventive effects. We recommend that policy makers suspend predator control efforts that lack evidence for functional effectiveness and that scientists focus on stringent standards of evidence in tests of predator control.
Assessment of an Integrated Weed Management System in No-Till Soybean and Corn

The objective of this study was to evaluate weed control, crop yields, potential soil loss, and net returns to management of an integrated weed management system in no-till corn and soybean compared to an herbicide-based strategy. The integrated weed management system reduced herbicide inputs by delayed cover crop termination, herbicide banding, and high-residue cultivation (reduced herbicide [RH]), while the other system used continuous no-tillage and herbicides to control weeds (standard herbicide [SH]). Research was conducted within the Penn State Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems Experiment, where corn and soybean are each planted once in a 6-yr crop rotation. In this 3-yr study, weed density and biomass were often greater under RH management, but weed biomass never exceeded 19 g m−2 in corn and 21 g m−2 in soybean. Corn yield and population did not differ in any year, and net returns to management were $33.65 ha−1 higher in RH corn due to lower herbicide costs and slightly, though not significantly, higher yields. Soybean yield was lower in RH compared to SH in 2 of 3 yr, and was correlated with soybean population and cover crop residue. Net financial returns were $43.69 ha−1 higher in SH soybean compared to RH. Predicted soil loss never exceeded T (maximum allowable soil loss) for any treatment and slope combination, though soil loss was 100% greater on a 10% slope under RH management (vs. SH) due to cultivation. Nomenclature: cereal rye (Secale cereale L.); corn (Zea mays L.); soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]
Pelagic ciliated protozoa in a shallow eutrophic lake : community structure and seasonal dynamics

Seasonal population dynamics and community composition of planktonic ciliates of shallow eutrophic Lake Vortsjarv were studied from January 1995 to December 1996. The abundances (1995 mean = 39.0 × 10 3 cells/l, 1996 mean = 60.1×10 3 cells/l) and biomasses (1995 mean = 0.68 mg/l, 1996 mean = 2.91 mg/l) were high and showed an increasing trend with the decrease in water level. Ciliate abundances peaked in spring (May) and in late summer (July, August) reaching values up to 191.1 × 10 3 cells/l. The biomass maxima did not coincide with maximum abundances and were tied with the mass occurrences of large-sized carnivorous species. Ciliates accounted for 50 to 64 % of the zooplankton biomass (in 1995 and 1996, respectively). Oligotrichs, haptorids, scuticociliates and prostomatids dominated the community of ciliates.
Genotoxicity of tamoxifen and structural analogues of tamoxifen : studies on the activation of tamoxifen by cytochrome P450s and peroxidase

Genotoxicity of tamoxifen and structural analogues of tamoxifen Adrian Davies Tamoxifen is a potent hepatocarcinogen in rats and causes a low incidence of endometrial cancer in women. This thesis investigates the activation of tamoxifen and structural analogues o f tamoxifen by cytochrome P450s and peroxidase. In human lymphoblastoma derived cell lines expressing cDNAs for different human CYPisoforms, tamoxifen, toremifene and 4-hydroxytamoxifen were clastogenic. Micronucleus formation was dependent on the dose of drug used and was not seen in cell lines not expressing these CYP isoenzymes. Results showed that CYP3A4 was the most important mono-oxygenase in the activation of these drugs. Clastogenicity was not detected when synthetic a-hydroxytamoxifen or clomiphene were used. It was shown that in vitro, a horseradish peroxidase/H20 2 system could catalyse the Ndemethylation and ^-oxidation of tamoxifen and toremifene. Activation of [14C]tamoxifen or toremifene by this system was demonstrated by their irreversible binding to protein or to DNA. This reaction was catalysed by a number of peroxidases, including prostaglandin synthase. In the presence of DNA, activation of tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen or toremifene resulted in the formation of 32P-postlabelled DNA adducts. 4Hydroxytamoxifen was broken down by peroxidases much faster than tamoxifen. Reaction products, detected by HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry, had structures consistent with 4-hydroxytamoxifen dimers. Incubation of 4-hydroxytamoxifen with horseradish peroxidase, H20 2, glutathione and the radical trap DMPO leads to the formation of a glutathione thiyl radical that can be detected with electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. The presence of the thiyl radical supports the proposal for the formation of a phenoxyl radical from 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Incubation of model resorufin substrates with human uterine microsomal fractions permitted the detection of low levels of NADPH dependent metabolism. However, with tamoxifen as substrate, CYP or peroxidase dependent activation, if it occurred, was below the limit o f detection. The results of the work described in this thesis show that peroxidase activation o f tamoxifen in uterine tissues of rats or women probably does not play a significant role. 1
Seed origin, storage conditions, and gibberellic acid on in vitro germination of Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg

Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg seeds (guavira) are recalcitrant and rapidly lose viability upon removal from the fruit, making difficult the long-term storage. In vitro germination could be used as an important tool to overcome the issues related to this short viability. It might help seed conservation and species propagation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro germination of guavira seeds collected from different sites and stored under different conditions. Also, the sowing of these seeds in MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) was evaluated. Seeds from the local garden were treated with: 0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 mg L -1 GA 3 . Seeds from a local farmer’s market were treated with: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 or 10 mg L -1 GA 3 . We evaluated the germination rate, the average length of the shoot and main root, and the number of leaves. The C. adamantium seeds were sown immediately after harvest and treated with GA 3 , regardless concentration, increased germination rate by at least 10%, whereas 1.0 mg L -1 GA 3 resulted in 100% germination. The shoot length increased linearly with increasing concentration of the growth regulator. Different concentrations of GA 3 had no effect on the development of the main root and leaves. Seeds acquired from a local farmer’s market showed lower germination rate than those sown immediately after harvesting, and did not differ in the rate of germination under different treatments with GA 3 . Furthermore, around 25% of those seedlings had abnormal leaf morphology. C. adamantium seeds stored at 4°C and -20°C for 60 days did not germinate successfully, suggesting that seeds under cold storage conditions cannot be used for germplasm purposes. Keywords: Guavira, Cerrado, Myrtaceae, temperature
Is there a correlation between light-induced zeaxanthin accumulation and quenching of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence?

Studies with young leaves of a green and an aurea mutant of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. su/su and Su/su) demonstrated that the aurea mutant Su/su, which efficiently accumulated zeaxanthin by photoconversion of violaxanthin and by de novo biosynthesis was better protected against photoinhibition (smaller decrease of Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo) in a 5 h high-light treatment than the green tobacco variety su/su, which exhibited only a low capacity for zeaxanthin formation. These results would underline a possible photoprotective function of zeaxanthin