Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complete feed batang pisang terfermentasi dengan level protein berbeda terhadap kecernaan bahan kering, kecernaan bahan organik dan TDN secara in vitro

The study aimed to investigate the effect of protein level in the complete feed based on fermented banana pseudostem(CFFBP) on in vitro digestibility. The experiment was conducted from May to August 2016. CFFBP was made at the field laboratory of Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Malang. Proximate and in vitro digestibility analysis was carried out at the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Brawijaya University. The experiment used Completely Randomized Design with 3 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments were P 1 CFFBP at protein level 12%; P 2 CFFBP at protein level 14%; P 3 CFFBP at protein level 16%. The results showed that digestibility of dry matter (DMD), digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) were significantly affected by the treatments (P<0.01). The highest digestibility of DMD, of OMD and TDN was found at CFFBP with protein level 14%. The DMD value were P 1 71.56%, P 2 75.06% and P 3 74.32%. The OMD value were P 1 65.53%, P 2 68.50% and P 3 69,82%. The TDN value were P 1 61.84%, P 2 66.07% and P 3 64.91%. The experiment concluded that the increasing level of protein in the CFFBP could increase DMD, OMD and TDN, and it was related to the availability of protein and energy ratio. The ideal level of protein in this experiment was 14%. Keywords: complete feed, fermented banana pseudostem, in vivo digestibility, protein level
Crustacean zooplankton dynamics in a natural riverine lake, Upper Mississippi River

ABSTRACT Zooplankton communities in riverine systems are typically thought to be driven by abiotic forces. However, recent studies have shown that biological controls are capable of structuring these communities in large rivers and may become more influential as a river system becomes more lentic during low discharge. This study uses a long-term data set to examine several environmental variables as potential drivers of zooplankton community structure in a natural riverine lake. We hypothesized that water residence time would be the most important variable influencing zooplankton community structure. To test this, we used non-metric multidimensional scaling and correlation analysis to examine spatial and temporal patterns in zooplankton community structure. Analysis revealed that water residence time was the single most important environmental variable driving zooplankton abundance and community structure. The relationship between water residence time and taxa groups varied indicating that other taxa specific drivers had some influence on zooplankton community structure as well. Continued insight into the mechanisms driving zooplankton community structure will provide a basis for understanding zooplankton dynamics in large river ecosystems.
The role of thioredoxin and T-type Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

Elevated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a feature of various cardiovascular conditions including restenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and atherosclerosis. Voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channels are implicated in VSMC proliferation as their expression is markedly up-regulated in proliferative phases of the VSMC cell-cycle (Kuga et al., 1996). The Thioredoxin (Trx) system is also associated with proliferative disorders of the heart and vasculature, e.g. Trx concentrations are elevated in AAA (Martinez-Pinna et al., 2010) and atherosclerosis (Okuda et al., 2001). Trx has recently been shown to regulate T-type Ca2+channels (Boycott et al., 2013). This PhD has investigated the hypothesis that VSMC proliferation is modulated by interactions between Trx and T-type Ca2+ channels. Proliferation assays revealed that the T-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor NNC55-0396 (NNC, 1-3μM) decreased A7r5, HEK293/CaV3.1 and HEK293/CaV3.2, but not wt HEK293, cell proliferation. In contrast the L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine (2μM) was without effect. The Trx inhibitors PX-12 (1μM) and auranofin (AuF, 300nM) preferentially inhibited the proliferation of CaV3.2-expressing cells, i.e. A7r5 and HEK293/CaV3.2 cells. Basal Ca2+ influx in A7r5 cells was also significantly reduced by NNC (3μM) and AuF (3μM). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in recombinant cells revealed that PX-12 (1-300μM) inhibited CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 currents with similar sensitivities. In contrast, Trx (4μg.ml-1) enhanced CaV3.2, but not CaV3.1, peak current amplitude. Similarly, AuF (3μM) selectively reduced the current-density of HEK293/CaV3.2 cells. Data suggest that CaV3.2 channels are positively and selectively regulated by Trx, yet PX-12 could inhibit T-type Ca2+ channels independently of Trx. The sensitivity of CaV3.2 channels to Trx was found to be dependent on an extracellular histidine residue at position 191 (H191), especially as mutation to a glutamine (Q) residue (H191Q) abolished Trx-sensitivity. In summary, these data indicate that interactions between Trx and CaV3.2 channels can regulate the proliferation of CaV3.2–expressing cells.
Nuclear 3D organization and radiosensitivity

Current mechanisms of radiation-induced chromosomal aberration (CA) formation suggest misrepair of chromosomal lesions being in spatial proximity. In this case CAs have to depend on pattern of chromosomal contacts and on chromosome spatial organization in a cell nucleus. We were interested in whether variation of nucleus 3D organization results in difference of radiation induced CA formation frequency. Experimental data available do not provide information sufficient for definite conclusions. To have more deep insight in this issue we developed the biophysical modeling technique taking into account different levels of chromosome/nuclear organization and radiation damage of DNA and chromosomes. Computer experiments on gamma irradiation were carried out for two types of cells with different 3D organization of nuclei, preferentially peripheral and internal. CA frequencies were found to depend on spatial positioning of chromosomes within a nucleus which determines a pattern of interchromosomal contacts. For individual chromosomes this effect can be more pronounced than for genome averaged. Since significant part of aberrations, for example dicentrics, results in cell death, the proposed technique is capable of evaluating radiosensitivity of cells, both normal and cancer, with the incorporation of 3D genome information. This predictive technology allows to reduce uncertainties of prognosis of biological effects of radiation compared to phenomenological methods and may have variety of biomedical applications, in particular, in cancer radiation therapy.
Weed management in white beans with postemergence herbicide tankmixes

Soltani, N. , Nurse, R. E. and Sikkema, P. H. 2013. Weed management in white beans with postemergence herbicide tankmixes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 669-674. Weed control efficacy of cloransulam-methyl, halosulfuron, bentazon, fomesafen and their tankmixes applied post-emergence (POST) for weed management in white bean was evaluated in field studies conducted in four Ontario locations during 2008-2011. Cloransulam-methyl, halosulfuron, bentazon, fomesafen, bentazon plus fomesafen, cloransulam-methyl plus bentazon, cloransulam-methyl plus fomesafen, cloransulam-methyl plus bentazon plus fomesafen, halosulfuron plus bentazon, halosulfuron plus fomesafen, and halosulfuron plus bentazon plus fomesafen caused white bean injury ranging from 1 to 18%. Control for AMARE, AMBEL and CHEAL ranged from 47 to 92%, 66 to 98% and 36 to 91%, respectively, among herbicide treatments. Similar results were observed for weed density and biomass of AMARE, AMBEL, and CHEAL. Cloransulam-methyl, halosulfuron, and cloransulam-methyl plus fomesafen reduced the yield of white bean by 34, 21, and 17%, respectively, compared with the weed-free control. However, bentazon, fomesafen, bentazon plus fomesafen, cloransulam-methyl plus bentazon, cloransulam-methyl plus bentazon plus fomesafen, halosulfuron plus bentazon, halosulfuron plus fomesafen, and halosulfuron plus bentazon plus fomesafen had no adverse effect on yield of white bean. Based on these results, tankmixes of cloransulam-methyl and halosulfuron with bentazon and fomesafen can reduce crop injury and provide control of broadleaf weeds in white bean.
Les espèces du genre scylla a Nhatrang (Vietnam)

The species of Scylla found in Vietnam have been studied in relation to the systematic revision made by Estampador, and to establish the distinctive morphological characters of the species. The status of four forms is discussed: Scylla oceanica, Sc. tranquebarica, Sc. serrata, and Sc. serrata var. paramamosain.
Patterns of tillering and grain production of winter wheat at a wide range of plant densities.

The effect of plant density on the growth and productivity of the various ear-bearing shoots of winter wheat was studied in detail to obtain information on the pattern of grain production of crops grown under field conditions. Strong compensation effects were measured: a 160-fold increase in plant density (5 to 800 plants/m2) finally resulted in a 3-fold increase in grain yield (282 to 850 g DM/m2). Maximum grain yield was achieved at 100 plants per m2, which corresponded to 430 ears/m2 and to about 19 000 grains per m2. At higher plant densities more ears and more grains were produced, but grain yield remained con­ stant. Tillering per plant was largely favoured by low plant densities, because these allowed tiller formation to continue for a longer period and a greater proportion of tillers produced ears. Per unit area, however, at higher plant densities more tillers were formed and, despite a higher mortality, more ears were produced. The productivity of individual ears, from main shoots as well as from tillers, decreased with increasing plant density and with later emergence of shoots. In the range from 5 to 800 plants/m2 grain yield per ear decreased from 2.40 to 1.14 g DM. At 800 plants/m2 nearly alle ears originated from main shoots, but with de­ creasing plant density tillers contributed increasingly to the number of ears. At 5 plants/m2, 23 ears were found per plant and grain yield per ear ranged from 4.20 (main shoot) to 1.86 g DM (late-formed shoots). Grain number per ear was reduced at higher densities and on younger shoots, because there were fewer fertile spikeiets and fewer grains in these spikeiets. At the low density of 5 plants/m2, plants devel­ oped solitarily and grain yield per ear was determined by the number of grains per ear as well as by grain weight. Above 400 ears per m2, in this experiment reached at 100 plants/m2 and more, grain yield per ear depended solely on grain number, be­ cause the weights of grains of the various shoots were similar. The harvest index showed a maximum of about 44 % at a moderate plant densi­
The relative importance of climatic gradient versus human disturbance in determining population structure of Afzelia africana in the Republic of Benin§

The study aimed to investigate the relative significance of effects of climatic variability and human disturbance on the population structure of the threatened species Afzelia africana Sm. ex Pers. in the Republic of Benin in West Africa. Forest inventory data such as regeneration density, tree diameter and total height were compiled from A. africana forest stands under different disturbance regimes in the three climatic zones of Benin. Multiple generalised linear models and non-linear diameter–height equations were fitted to contrast the individual effects of categorical variables, such as climatic zone and disturbance level. Results revealed significantly higher scaling coefficients in less drier regions and low-disturbance stands. The diameter–height relationship was more controlled by the climatic zone than by the disturbance level. Accordingly, the disturbance level contributed only to the intercept of the diameter–height model, whereas the climatic zone significantly influenced both intercept and slope. In addition, when climatic zone and disturbance level were considered as sources of variation in the diameter–height model, the former explained the greater marginal variance. It was concluded that climate has the greater effect on population structure of A. africana in natural stands.
Purinergic mechanisms as potential pharmacological targets for enteric inflammatory motility disorders

17 PhD Thesis: Cátia Andreia Rodrigues Vieira III. ABSTRACT Purines seem to play a physiological role in the regulation of gut motility by affecting the activity of enteric nerves, muscle fibers, enteric glial cells, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and fibroblast cells (FLC). Intestinal inflammation may cause long-term structural and functional changes in the enteric nervous system (ENS), which might be related to increased levels of extracellular purines, namely ATP and adenosine. Taking into account controversies in the literature regarding the control of enteric inflammation by purines, this project was designed to investigate the role of the purinergic cascade in the control of SNE activity following acute inflammation. Our aim was to identify putative molecular targets for the pharmacological treatment of inflammatory enteric disorders. To achieve this goal, we used an animal model of postinflammatory ileitis due to intraluminal instillation of TNBS in the rat; experimental animals were used seven days after surgery. All experiments were performed in longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LM-MP) preparations of rat ileum. In this animal model, we hypothesized that inflammation may cause relevant changes in the density of resident cell populations (beyond the typical inflammatory infiltrates), which may unbalance the release of purines and, consequently, the release of [H]ACh – the most important neurotransmitter in the control of gut motility. To answer this question, LM-MP preparations were stained with specific antibodies directed against each specific cell type. As expected, we observed a significant increase in the number of inflammatory cells stained with CD11b/OX42, which were localized adjacent to myenteric ganglia, without penetrating this structure. The inflammatory insult, cause a significant increase in the density of enteric glial cells, exhibiting positive immunoreactivity against GFAP and S100β, and a substantial loss of interstitial cells ICC/FLC expressing vimentin and anoctamine-1 (Ano-1). In agreement with the results obtained by other authors using the postinflammatory ileitis rat model, we failed to detect any changes in the density and distribution of two specific neuronal markers, PGP9.5
Statistical testing and selection by re-sampling in genome- wide association studies

A Genome Wide Association Study(GWAS) aims to find genetic variants that are associated with a trait of interest. GWAS is a typical “great m, small n” in which the number (m) of genetic variants being observed in genome is much larger than the number (n) of individuals in the sample. Performing a successful GWAS is challenging both statistically and computationally. This is due to at least the following complications involved in GWAS: confounding stratification in population structure; strong correlations among genetic variants; and analytical difficulty in model selection under ultra-high dimensionality setting. In this thesis we have developed three statistical methods to tackle these complications. The first method is rank stability selection (RSS), which is developed in Chapter 2. RSS essentially gives a sub-sampling distribution-free implementation for multiple testing, a method widely used in detecting phenotypeassociated genetic variants. Classical multiple testing calculates and tests the association with the phenotype for each genetic variant (covariate), mostly based on the asymptotic distribution of the involved test statistic and ignoring the possible stratification confounding in population structure. This may result in inaccurate family-wise control of both types of I and II errors. The RSS method assesses the association significance of each genetic variant based on its stability in ranking in regard to an association test statistic that is computed for all genetic variants and over a number of sub-samples of the data. It has been shown that RSS under weak regularity assumptions gives accurate and robust (against population stratification) detection of significant genetic variants with respect to their associations with the phenotype. The association test statistic involved can be formed using a variety of association measures
In vitro propagation of Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.–A medicinal plant

An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. has been developed. MS medium supplemented with NAA induced prolific callus in both leaf and nodal explants. Organogenic and chlorophyllous calli were produced at lower concentrations of NAA (1.0 mg L) and BAP (0.1 mg L). Thick and long roots with numerous root hairs were produced with NAA (1.0 mg L) and BAP (0.1 mg L). Long shoots were also formed. Of the in vitro grown 120 plantlets transferred to the field 94% survived after 2 months of transplantation to natural environment.
RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROCOLLOIDS IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCROSE AND MILK

Apparent viscosities of guar gum, locust bean gum, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were measured at shear rates of 16-2620s-1 in water, sucrose, milk, and sucrose/milk solutions. The effect of different heat treatments was also studied. For all solutions, a power law equation described the variation of relative viscosity with shear rate allowing comparison of their non-Newtonian behaviour. With the neutral hydrocolloids, the hydration was limited by the presence of sucrose and milk which reduced the effective length of the polymer molecules. The behaviour of the polyanionic hydrocolloid, Na CMC, although influenced by milk and sucrose separately, was controlled by milk in a milk/sucrose mixture. This is due to milk salts which reduced the intramolecular repulsions along the polyanion and substantially lowered its effective hydrated length.
The effect of elevated carbon dioxide on the sinking and swimming of the shelled pteropod Limacina retroversa

16 Shelled pteropods are planktonic molluscs that may be affected by ocean 17 acidification. Limacina retroversa from the Gulf of Maine were used to investigate the 18 impact of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on shell condition as well as swimming and 19 sinking behaviours. Limacina retroversa were maintained at either ambient (ca. 400 μatm) 20 or two levels of elevated CO2 (800 and 1200 μatm) for up to four weeks, and then 21 examined for changes in shell transparency, sinking speed, and swimming behaviour 22 assessed through a variety of metrics (e.g., speed, path tortuosity, wing beat frequency). 23 After exposures to elevated CO2 for as little as four days, the pteropod shells were 24 significantly darker and more opaque in the elevated CO2 treatments. Sinking speeds were 25 significantly slower for pteropods exposed to medium and high CO2 in comparison to the 26 ambient treatment. Swimming behaviour showed less clear patterns of response to 27 treatment and duration of exposure, but overall, swimming did not appear to be hindered 28 under elevated CO2. Sinking is used by L. retroversa for predator evasion, and altered 29 speeds and increased visibility could increase the susceptibility of pteropods to predation. 30 3
Tadpole of Proceratophrys mantiqueira (Anura: Odontophrynidae), with a Description of Its Internal Oral Features

We describe the larval external morphology and internal oral features of Proceratophrys mantiqueira from its type locality and provide novel natural history information for adults. The tadpoles of P. mantiqueira (Stage 37) exhibit a depressed body with low tail fins, eyes positioned dorsally, and a ventral oral disc bordered by a single row of marginal papillae, with a wide gap on the anterior labium; a few submarginal papillae may be present. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1). The shape and amount of papillae in the buccal floor, especially the infralabial and lingual papillae, can distinguish the tadpole of P. mantiqueira from other congeners. Our results add important new data about the larval morphology of this species and may help future studies on the intrageneric relationships of Proceratophrys.
Plant traits, stoichiometry and microbes as drivers of decomposition in the rhizosphere in a temperate grassland

It is becoming increasingly clear that plant roots can impact the decomposition of existing soil C in the rhizosphere. Studies under controlled conditions suggest this impact may be plant species dependent, but whether this is the case in natural conditions or what factors underlie this variation is mostly unknown. With a novel field‐based isotopic approach combining 13C‐enriched glucose and 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine additions, we compared in situ C decomposition of added labile C and native soil C (priming) among eight semi‐arid grassland species’ rhizospheres to investigate the factors driving inter‐species variation. We examined the influence of several rhizosphere factors related to soil chemistry, microbial activity, microbial community, microbial stoichiometry, plant chemistry and root morphology. Plant species generated distinct microbial and chemical rhizosphere environments, which translated into differences in the direction, magnitude and temporal dynamics of the soil C priming. Soil C decomposition was positively related to soil C/P and soil N/P (via its influence on the bacterial community), which in turn were positively related to plant N/P. Plant C/N was also a significant factor via its negative influence on soil N/P. In contrast, the main direct predictors of labile C decomposition were microbial biomass, microbial C/N and the C‐degrading enzymes, which in turn were linked to root morphology and C chemistry. Synthesis. Within this community, plant species’ rhizospheres can vary in their susceptibility to C loss in response to changes in C availability. Soil stoichiometry, driven by plant chemical traits, appeared to be the strongest driver of priming. Our study suggests that shifts in plant communities involving increases in N relative to P have the greatest potential to lead to C loss. We provide evidence of root morphology and C chemistry as drivers of labile C processing in soil, a novel empirical contribution to our understanding of the role of plant traits below‐ground. The contrasting regulation of different pools of soil C suggests observations of the regulation of simple C compounds should not be extrapolated to the whole C pool. Our findings provide support for rhizosphere‐driven mechanisms by which shifts in plant community composition could have implications on the ecosystem‐level C balance.
Flavonoids as photoprotective agents: A systematic review

There is a growing need for research of photoprotective molecules from natural sources. Flavonoids have shown significant absorption in ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) region, due to their chemical structure with conjugated double bonds, and may be used as ingredients in cosmetics formulations for skin protection. This systematic review reports what has been researched over the past decade on flavonoid and photoprotective activity, as well as some mechanisms of action by which these metabolites act. The search was conducted in three databases (Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus) using the descriptors “flavonoid”, “photoprotection” and “sunscreen” combined, published between January 2006 and January 2016. Twenty-two articles were selected and 17 flavonoids were cited. The data reviewed here indicate that flavonoids are potential in the fight against UVA and UVB radiation and which may be used as adjuvants in photoprotective formulations. Key words: Ultraviolet (UV), induced damage, natural products, flavonoids photoprotective activity, ultraviolet radiation.