Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability of Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterility and Fertility Restoration in Pigeonpea

In cytoplasmic genetic male sterility-based (CGMS) hybrid seed production, instability of expression of male-sterility and fertility restoration across a wide range of environments are two of the major difficulties. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the stability of male sterility of nine CGMS lines under three dates of sowing and the fertility restoration of 10 CGMS-based pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. ) hybrids at three different locations. Significant variability existed for pollen fertility among hybrids and sterility among cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines. All the hybrids except ICPH 3494 and ICPH 3491 exhibited high (>80%) pollen fertility across locations. Hybrids ICPH 2671, ICPH 2740, and ICPH 3933 had 100% male-fertile plants across locations. All the CMS lines had completely male-sterile plants across sowing dates. The CMS lines BRG1 A, Hy3C A, BRG3 A, and TTB7 A exhibited 100% pollen sterility at different sowing dates. The pooled analysis revealed a significant genotype × environment interaction for pollen fertility and sterility. The genotypic main effect + GE (GGE) biplot of hybrids showed that hybrids ICPH 2671, 2740, 3933, and 3461 were stable for fertility restoration. With the exception of ICPA 2047 and ICPA 2051, all the CMS lines were highly stable with high mean performance and least distance from AEA (average environmental axis). Male-sterility in A4 cytoplasm was independent of environmental conditions. Different dates of sowing did not affect expression of male sterility of these CMS lines.
Dichotomy of lymphocyte population and cell-mediated immune responses in a fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus

Dichotomy of lymphocyte population in the line of T and B cells in a fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus has been shown by differential cytotoxic killing with anti-lymphocyte serum and the serum after absorped on with brain cell homogenate. The rationale and necessity of the experiment have been doscussed.Then T-cell mediated response in the bat was measured by delayed-type skin sensitivity test and mixed lymphocyte culture modes of these reactions were delayed and of lesser degree. Modes of these responses if the bat are interesting from several points of view including the role of bats as reservoir of dreaded inertia and viruses. Present investigation for the first time looked into details of cell-media tedtune response (CMI) in the bat.
ANALYSIS OF VIRULENCE AND ITS REGION-BASED GENETIC VARIABILITY AMONG THE INDIAN POPULATIONS OF FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM f. sp. CICERIS CAUSING CHICKPEA WILT

Virulence of 36 representative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris causing chickpea wilt, collected from 12 major chickpea-growing states of India was analysed on a new set of 10 differential chickpea cultivars, namely, C 104, JG 74, CPS 1, BG 212, WR 315, KWR 108, GPF 2, DCP 92-3, Chaffa and JG 62 to determine races of the pathogen. Differential cultivars for each races were identified and, based on differential reactions, the isolates were grouped into eight races. Except for the isolates from Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the race groups corresponded to the area of their origin. Genetic diversity of 14 isolates representing 8 races of the pathogen was determined using internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA- restriction fragment length polymorphism (ITSRFLP) and ITS sequencing. ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2 region was amplified and digested with seven restriction enzymes. Some of the isolates showed area-specific ITSRFLP patterns, whereas others from the same area showed distinct pattern. Thus, the ITS-RFLP pattern was partially corresponding to the area of origin of the isolates indicating the presence of highly variable populations in chickpea-growing areas of the country. The phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences (JF727559- JF727572) of the isolates included in the present study also grouped them into eight categories and these groups were partially corresponding to the fungal races. Thus, the Indian populations of the pathogen were highly variable in respect of their virulence and genetic characteristics.
Small-scale vegetable producers’ perception of pests and pesticide uses in East Shewa zone, Ethiopia

Vegetable growers’ knowledge of pest and their control method was assessed in 2014 in East Shewa zone, Ethiopia. Vegetable growers were well aware of key pests of vegetables, although some of them did not consider pests as constraint to vegetable production. All respondents scouted their vegetables for pests and used presence or absence of pest as criterion for spraying. About 76% of the respondents read pesticide label before buying pesticides, while the rest 24% of the respondents did not read pesticide labels. All vegetable growers sprayed insecticide, whereas fungicides and herbicides were applied by 90% and 7% of the respondents, respectively. About 72% of the respondents washed their sprayer after each application day and discharged the washings onto the soil. Moreover, the majority (62%) of the respondents threw empty pesticide containers around the field. Also, it was found that 71% of the respondents did not use personal protective equipment (PPE) while spraying pesticides, but a few used one or two types of PPE. More than half of the respondents sprayed pesticides on mature crops and sold the produce within three to five days.
Variation in Macroalgal Species Composition and Abundance on a Rock Jetty in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico

Seasonal variation in algal species composition and biomass was examined on a rock jetty at Port Mansfield, Texas, in the northwest Gulf of Mexico between July 1993 and May 1994. Ten sites were established and monitored to examine spatial and temporal variation in biomass and species composition. Sampling depths varied among sites, but generally ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 m below mean sea level (MSL). Over 30 algal species were collected during the study period, with the overall species composition dominated by rhodophytes, especially Bryocladia spp. , Gelidium crinalelPterocladia bartlettii complex, Hypnea spp. , Centroceras clavulatwn and Polysiphonia spp. The calculated Cheney ratio of 5.0 indicates a mixed algal flora with strong tropical affinity that can be classified as 'sub-tropical'. All sites exhibited greater than 50% similarity of algal species, indicating a relatively homogeneous algal distribution. Data on the relative abundance of algal species at each site indicate that most species were present year-round. There was little seasonal change in relative contribution to overall biomass by each of the three algal groups; red algae accounted for 94% of the average annual biomass compared to 5% for green algae and 1% for brown algae. However, there were major seasonal differences in total algal biomass. Average biomass was lowest in August 1993 (405 gdw m~) and highest in May 1994 (1691 gdw m~). The low biomass during the late summer probably reflects the effect of increased environmental stress (e. g., desiccation and high temperatures) on plant productivity and possibly, increased herbivory by sea urchins. The high biomass of algae recorded on the north jetty at Port Mansfield indicates that these plants represent a substantial food and habitat resource to marine animals, both invertebrates and vertebrates, which is available year-round.
Chemical Technology of Dust Suppression on Open-Pit Mines

Open-pit mines have to comply modern safety requirements in the field of dust suppression. Dust arising in process of trucking is the reason of uncomfortable working environment. The total quantity of dust that enters the environment represents part of the risk of exposure for working environment. Practical application of chemical agents solution is a positive means of overcoming a major problem of open pit mines. Dust suppression on roads during transportation with help of using chemical technologies is still the most relevant and unexplored field of activity the pollution by dust of construction and surrounding locations. The paper briefly describes the chemical technologies for controlling dust during transportation of friable materials.
ENHANCEMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF NATURALLY OCCURRING PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS BY NANOSCALE DELIVERY AGAINST LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 AND SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN BROTH AND CHICKEN MEAT SYSTEM

Phenolic compounds commonly occurring in fruits, vegetables and tea were studied for their effects on Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E.c.) and Salmonella Typhimurium (S.T.) in brain–heart infusion broth (BHI) and meat system. Incubated at 37C for 72 h in BHI, gentistic, benzoic and vanillic acids inhibited L.m. , E.c and S.T. at 5,000 µg/mL by 2.8 to 3.0 log CFU/mL, 2.8 to 3.0 log CFU/mL and 2.7 to 2.9 log CFU/mL, respectively. Encapsulation of benzoic acid (1,100 µg/mL) in polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles inhibited 6.5 log CFU/mL of L.m. and S.T. , and 6.0 log CFU/mL of E.c. at 48 h. In raw and cooked chicken meat systems, nanoparticle delivery of benzoic acid was effective against S.T. and L.m. (1.0 and 1.6 log CFU/g reduction of S.T. and 1.1 and 3.2 log CFU/g reduction of L.m. compared with 1.2 log CFU/g without nanoparticles on the days 9 and 14 of storage, respectively). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of phenolics on pathogen reduction delivered by nanoparticles and their potential for commercial food safety applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Nanotechnology is an emerging and promising technology that has been advocated for the delivery of antimicrobial phenolic compound extracts to effectively inhibit foodborne pathogens. The method improves the rate of inhibition compared with conventional delivery and retains the antimicrobial efficacy for a longer time. This hurdle technology using natural antimicrobials (phenolic compounds) and nanoparticle-mediated delivery system can effectively decontaminate foodborne pathogens and improve food safety. Phenolic compounds can be used as natural and safer alternatives to chemical disinfectants in food systems and delivered using nanoparticles to better control pathogens for commercial food safety applications.
The Effect of Irradiation with Different Wave-lengths on the Oestrous Cycle of the Ferret, with Remarks on the Factors Controlling Sexual Periodicity

The recurrence of oestrus in the female ferret is greatly accelerated by irradiation with light of various wave-lengths. Heat rays and the near infra-red (λ 7500) are comaratively inactive. The effect begins with the red radiation (λ 6500) and extends throughout the visible to the near ultra-violet (λ 3650). Over this range of the spectrum intensity appears to be more important than wave-lenth. None of the wave-lengths employed produced retardation in the recurrence of oestrus. Female ferrets subjected to incomplete darkness did not come on heat but individuals which had already begun to come on heat entered into full oestrus and remained in that state for a normal period. It is concluded that in the ferret and so probably in many other animals light radiations of particular wave-length and sufficient intensity are an efficient cause of reproductive activity, but that the recurrence of the oestrous cycle is conditioned also by other factors which in the absence of variation in the daily duration of light may play an important part.
Cold-active detergent-stable extracellular α-amylase from Bacillus cereus GA6: Biochemical characteristics and its perspectives in laundry detergent formulation

A psychro-halo-tolerant Bacillus cereus GA6 was isolated from soil of Gangotri glacier, Western Himalaya that produced maximum cold-active α-amylase at 20±1 °C after 96 h of incubation in alkaline medium by using glycerol and ammonium acetate as a substrate. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity (55 kDa) with 53.33% yield and 175.92 U/mg specific activity; and was stable at low temperature (4-37 °C) and in alkaline medium (pH 7-11). The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at 22±1 °C (pH 9) along with Km and Vmax value of 0.27 mg/ml and 2600 U/ml, respectively. The activity was strongly inhibited by Fe 2+ , Zn 2+ , H2O2 and CuSO4 while enhanced considerably by Ca 2+ . The hydrolysates of soluble starch by the enzyme were mainly glucose, maltose and maltotriose. The enzyme showed exceptional resistance ability against chemical denaturants (Urea, SDS and EDTA) and significant compatibility with commercial laundry detergents thus advocating its suitability for detergent formulation.
Morphometric analysis of nymphalid butterfly wings: number, size and arrangement of scales, and their implications for tissue‐size determination

Animal body size and tissue size depend on genetic and environmental factors, but the precise mechanisms of how tissue size is determined in proportion to body size remain unknown. Here we focused on wings from three nymphalid butterflies, Junonia orithya (Linnaeus), Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus) and Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), to examine the contributions of the number and size of scales to macroscopic structures, represented by wing compartments, and to investigate the positional dependence of scale size, density and arrangement. The whole wing area and wing compartment area exhibited a high correlation in all three species. Similarly, the wing compartment area and the blue or orange area showed a high correlation in three species, indicating isometric relationships among wings of different sizes. However, only in J. orithya, the blue area was highly correlated with the number of constituent scales and, to a lesser extent, with scale size. In contrast, reasonable correlations were obtained between the blue or orange area and the number of rows in all three species. These results suggest that variations of the background area accompany changes in the number of scales through changes in the number of rows. In a background region of the compartment, scale size gradually decreased and scale density increased from the proximal to the distal side in all three species. Our findings suggest that butterfly wing tissue size is determined primarily by the number of scale cells and secondarily by the size change of scale cells before or during the period of row arrangement.
Maternal and pup growth strategies of sympatric Antarctic and subantarctic fur seals at Ile de la Possession, Iles Crozet, Southern Indian Ocean

Otariid pinnipeds exhibit large variation in lactation duration, and pups wean at different times of cycles in marine productivity. Interspecific comparisons to understand the mechanisms driving variation in maternal care strategies and pup development are difficult due to inability to control for confounding effects of differences in environment. Therefore, I investigated interspecific differences in foraging ecology, allocation of maternal resources into pups, and use of maternal resources by pups as they approach weaning, between sympatric Antarctic (AFS) and subantarctic (SFS) fur seals at He de la Possession, lies Crozet, Southern Indian Ocean. Females of both fur seal species fed on the same myctophid fish prey over largely overlapping areas, with minor but important differences in the proportion of prey species consumed. SFS females showed less diel variation in diving behaviour, suggesting that they followed the nycthymeral migrations of their prey to a smaller extent than AFS. Diving occurred exclusively at night in both species, but SFS females dove deeper and for longer periods. AFS females had smaller aerobic dive limit (ADL), but had higher propensity to dive anaerobically. AFS females exploited more patches per unit time, and remained in them for briefer periods of time. AFS females foraged in patches of better quality, at the cost of greater foraging effort. Body shape differed significantly between species from birth, and growth involved the acquisition of a longer, more slender body with larger foreflippers in AFS. Allometric analysis showed that body shape differences present at birth were exacerbated during growth, so AFS were physically more mature at 100 d of age. Milk composition did not differ between species, and total energy intake was significantly higher in AFS at any given age. SFS pups had proportionally larger total body lipid reserves, and had lower resting and daily metabolic rates than AFS pups. Results suggest that, under comparable foraging conditions, maternal expenditure is larger in AFS, in response to a relatively briefer and more inflexible duration of lactation.
Predicting the impact of perennial phases on average leakage from farming systems in south-western Australia

Rising watertables and dryland salinity in southern Australia are due to excess groundwater recharge after the replacement of native vegetation by annual crops and pastures. The inclusion of perennial plants into agricultural systems has been proposed as a possible method of recharge reduction, through the creation of a buffer (extra water storage capacity generated by the perennial in comparison with an annual crop or pasture). However, the role of perennial phases under conditions of highly episodic leakage is not well understood. In this paper, a simple Leakage/Buffer Model (LeBuM) was developed to determine the effect of perennial phases on long-term average annual leakage, incorporating episodic events. Mechanistic modelling studies on contrasting soil types were used to demonstrate that leakage for any given May–December period was directly related to soil water storage at 1 May. From this finding, it follows that leakage from a phase rotation can be calculated if the size of the buffer, and the leakage quantity in the absence of a buffer, are known for each stage of the rotation. LeBuM uses a long-term sequence of leakage values in the absence of a buffer as input, and the maximum buffer size, its rate of development, and the length of perennial and annual phases are specified as parameters. LeBuM was applied to leakage data modelled for 5 contrasting soil types over 100 years at 24 sites in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Phase rotations on duplex, waterlogging duplex, or loamy sand soils reduced leakage by >90% for regions with <380 mm annual rainfall, but were less effective in wetter regions and on deep sands or acid loamy sands. Nevertheless, phase rotations if adopted widely could delay the onset of salinity by as much as several decades.
Study of the Saccharogenic Method for the Determination of Serum and Urine Amylase

A modification of Somogyi's saccharogenic method for the determination of amylase activity has been presented for serum and urine. The starch substrate employed is buffered sufficiently to control the pH of sera and urines. A study was made of the effect of varying enzyme and starch concentrations, pH, chloride and buffer concentrations, and temperature. Also studied were various starches and other substrates, several methods for quantitating reducing substances formed, stability of samples, precision, and normal values. Identification of intermediate and end products was made by paperchromatographic technics. Above a limiting concentration of starch, representing saturation of enzyme with substrate, a linear reaction rate was observed for a period of time that was found to be directly related to the initial starch concentration. Kjeldahl's law of proportionality has thus been confirmed for the ra-amylase activity of serum and urine. Evidence is presented that deviation from a linear reaction rate occurs at about the time the starch and high molecular weight dextrins no longer saturate the enzyme. Following this point, hydrolysis of lower molecular-weight sugars gradually becomes the preponderant reaction.
The utility of reproductive skew models in the study of male primates, a critical evaluation

The number of adult males in a group is one of the most variable aspects of primate social organization. The causes for this variation have constituted a longstanding focus in primatological research. 1 As a male’s reproductive success is mainly limited by access to females, 2 competition among males should result in the exclusion of rivals from groups of females. 4,5 However, a great number of primate species live in groups with several adult males. To explain the causes and consequences of this shared male group membership, primatolo-gists have begun to examine the phenomenon within the framework of reproductive skew theory. This body of game theoretical models was developed to examine variation in reproductive skew within and across populations and species and to explain the preconditions for stable associations, as well as how reproduction should be distributed therein. 6–9 Here we summarize the main aspects of this theory, review its application to studies of male reproductive strategies, and identify pitfalls associated with using this approach.
Sex Differences in Peripheral Augmentation Index and Arterial Reservoir Pressure during Upper Limb Postural Shifts

We examined the peripheral hemodynamic response to passive arm postural changes in young men and women. Radial artery pulse waveforms were captured using applanation tonometry in 20 men (age 27 ± 2 yrs, BMI 25 ± 1 kg/m 2) and 20 women (age 27 ± 2 yrs, BMI 23±1 kg/m 2). Arm position was maintained at either heart level or supported 14 cm above/below heart level in a randomized fashion. Systolic augmentation index (sAIx) and diastolic augmentation index (dAIx) were used as estimates of pressure from wave reflections arriving in systole and diastole, respectively. A novel reservoir-wave separation technique was used to obtain arterial reservoir pressure (pressure generated by arterial capacitance). Women showed a significant reduction in radial diastolic pressure-time integral (DPTI) ( <path id="x1D443" d="M619 482q0 -69 -40.5 -119t-96 -72.5t-118.5 -26.5h-44l-70 20l-31 -151q-14 -67 0.5 -83t89.5 -22l-5 -28h-287l8 28q65 7 81.5 22t29.5 83l79 398q12 56 0.5 70.5t-78.5 20.5l7 28h255q108 0 164 -43t56 -125zM524 478q0 141 -146 141q-25 0 -47 -8q-16 -6 -20.5 -13.5 t-10.5 -39.5l-43 -241q37 -13 83 -13q67 0 125.5 45t58.5 129z" /> <path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105 q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /> <path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8 l-26 -65h-233z" /> ) and reservoir pressure ( ), with no change in peripheral sAIx ( ) or dAIx ( ) when moving the arm from below to above heart level. Conversely, men showed an attenuated change in radial DPTI ( ) concomitant with significant increases in reservoir pressure ( ), sAIx ( ), and dAIx ( ). Gravity-mediated changes in regional hemodynamics produced by passive arm postural shifts are sex specific. Men demonstrate less change in regional diastolic pressure concomitant with increased augmentation index and arterial reservoir pressure.