Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of biovar/races of Ralstonia solanacearum, the incitant of bacterial wilt in solanaceous crops.

A survey was conducted to study the status of bacterial wilt of solanaceous crops (potato, tomato, brinjal, chilli and capsicum) caused by R. solanacearum in Northern and Eastern states of India such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Bacterial wilt disease incidence in tomato and chilli was quite low 1 to 3 percent during summer season, whereas in rainy season, it was 4 to 60 percent in tomato and 3 to 40 per cent in brinjal. Disease incidence in tomato crop was more as compared to other solanaceous crops like brinjal, chilli, capsicum, and potato. Eighty four strains of R. solanacearum were collected from all the five states and 65 isolates were used for biovar /race characterization and molecular detection. Out of these 65 isolates, 58 were categorized as biovar 3 and remaining 7 biovar 4. The biovar 3 and 4, causing wilt in solanaceous crops belong to race 1. PCR with R. solanacearum specific primers Y2 (5’- CCCACTGCTGCCTCCCGTAGGAGT-3’) and OLI1 (5’GGGGGTAGCTTGCTACCTGCC3’) were used for molecular detection and all isolates amplified at 288bp. The primer was also able to distinguish the R. solanacearum from other saprophytic bacteria through colony PCR within 2 days.
Growth, the length-weight relationship, and reproduction in vimba (Vimba vimba L. 1758) sampled from an oligo-mesotrophic lake in northwest Anatolia (Turkey)

The growth parameters and reproduction period in vimba (Vimba vimba L. 1758) sampled from Sapanca Lake were determined monthly between September 2003 and July 2004. The 335 vimba specimens caught ranged in age from 2+ to 6+ years, and the majority of the samples consisted of individuals of the 4+-year-old age group. The length-weight relationship was estimated to be W = 0.0084 FL3.1797±0.0035 for males (r2 = 0.94, P < 0.05) and W = 0.0089 FL3.1572±0.0033 for females (r2 = 0.93, P < 0.05). Regression coefficients for sex were significant (t-test, P < 0.05). The slope (b) significantly differed (ANCOVA, P < 0.05) between months. The fact that the b values for male and female vimba specimens differed from 3.0 indicates that there was positive allometric growth. The von Bertalanffy equation was determined using Lt = 28.940 (1-exp {-0.123[t+2.193]}), f': 2.030, (r = 0.999) for males and Lt = 24.708 [1-exp {-0.205[t+1.464]}), f': 2.097, (r = 0.999) for females. The sex ratio was 1:1.86 (c2; P < 0.05). The spawning period of vimba began at the end of April and continued until the beginning of July; the water temperature during this period was between 14.8 and 25.9 °C.
Biology and Control of Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), a Review

Jointed goatgrass is a winter annual grass weed which is believed to have been introduced into North America as a contaminant in winter wheat seed. Although jointed goatgrass was first discovered in some states early in the 20th century, changing wheat production practices during the past 25 yr have encouraged its spread and increase. Winter wheat producers in the western United States are concerned about the lack of adequate selective control measures for this weed. Jointed goatgrass and wheat share the D chromosome in common and have similar growth habits. Jointed goatgrass lowers winter wheat yield by competing for growth requirements, reducing harvesting efficiency, and lowering crop quality by contaminating harvested grain. Jointed goatgrass is well adapted to stubble-mulch or reduced tillage crop production, particularly in regions where climate limits cropping options to the winter wheat-fallow rotation or continuous wheat. This review summarizes jointed goatgrass seed germination, dormancy, physiology, yield loss estimates in winter wheat, and both herbicidal and non-chemical methods of managing jointed goatgrass.
Neotropical Microlepidoptera XXV. New leaf-mining moths from Chile, with remarks on the history and composition of Phyllocnistinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae).

Prophyllocnistis epidrimys n. gen., n. sp. , and Phyllocnistis puyehuensis n. sp . , are described from Chile. The larva of Prophyllocnistis epidrimys is a serpentine leafminer on Drimys winteri chilensis (DC) A. Gray and D. winteri andina Reiche. Morphologically, the species appears most allied to the North American Metriochroa psychotriella Busck, which is also recognized as a member of the subfamily Phyllocnistinae along with the Old World genus, Cryphiomystis. Either the last instar larva or pupa of Prophyllocnistis epidrimys is heavily parasitized by a braconid, Clinocentrus sp. The life history of Phyllocnistis puyehuensis is unknown. The known stages of both species are fully illustrated. The leaf mines of Prophyllocnistis resemble those of the earliest gracillariid fossil mines known from the Cenomanian of the earliest Upper Cretaceous (97 m.y.a.). Discovery of the latter suggests that all three subfamilies of the Gracillariidae arose when the angiosperms were beginning to radiate.
Early Selection for Improving Volume Growth in Coastal Douglas-fir Breeding Programs

Abstract Measurements on growth traits up to 41 years of age from 68 progeny sites in eight first-generation breeding zones of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [MIRB.] FRANCO var. menziesii) in the US Pacific Northwest were used to investigate age trends of genetic parameters and to determine optimum age of selection. Heritabilities and age-age genetic correlations were estimated using univariate or bivariate mixed model analyses. Heritability estimates tended to increase with age for both total growth and growth increment traits. The estimates showed different age trends among breeding zones, but the differences were generally small. Age-age genetic correlations for total growth traits fitted Lambeth’s model surprisingly well, despite the data being collected from multiple breeding zones. Using rotation-age (i.e., 50yr) volume as the selection criterion, the greatest correlated gains per year were achieved by making family selection at juvenile ages (i.e., 9 for height, 13 for diameter, and 11 for volume). Similar results were obtained for within-family selection except that the optimum ages of selection were 2~4 years later than that from family selection, i.e., 11 for height, 15 for diameter and volume. Early selection on total height was always more efficient and had earlier optimum ages than on other growth traits. The optimum ages of early family selection on total growth were 4~11 years earlier than on the corresponding growth increment traits. It was also evident that the optimum ages of selection occurred later for slow-growth trials than for fast-growing trials.
Muscles of thoracic limb of African ostrich [Struthio camelus L.]

The objective of the study was to analyze the wing musculature of the African ostrich. The investigation was conducted on four three-day old chicks of the ostrich. The muscles were characterized by poor development due to a very young age, and no flight abilities. The basic muscle units were described, the measurements of their length and width were taken and their mutual relation was calculated. All values were collected in a table. The photographic documentation was also prepared.
Biología de poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas de Phaseolus coccineus L: I. Relaciones planta-polinizador

Se estudia la biologia floral de poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas de Phaseolus coccineus L. situadas a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal (2200-3000 msnm.) que comprende variadas condiciones medioambientales, encontrandose que en las poblaciones de elevada altitud (3000 msnm), los colibries juegan un papel determinante en la polinizacion de esta especie, tradicionalmente considerada como una especie melitofila tipica, mientras que en condiciones de baja elevacion las poblaciones se ajustan muy bien a este esquema, siendo los abejorros del genero Bombus los principales polinizadores, aun cuando los colibries parecen desempenar un importante papel en el flujo genetico entre los cultivares y las poblaciones silvestres de baja altitud. Se establecen diferencias marcadas entre poblaciones de elevada y baja altitud con base en criterios de caracter fenologico, energetico, de sistemas reproductivos, de coloracion y de fauna polinizadora, postulandose barreras al flujo genetico entre las poblaciones de baja y elevada altitud, ademas de que en estas ultimas el grado de cruzamiento parece ser muy alto.
The Effects of Probiotic and Eimeria on Gut Morphology and Humoral Immunity in Broilers

The Effects of Probiotic and Eimeria on Gut Morphology and Humoral Immunity in Broilers. (December 2010) Sadie Lyn Dunn Horrocks, B.S., Texas A&M Universtiy Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Morgan B. Farnell Coccidiosis has a negative economic impact on the commercial poultry industry, and probiotics are beneficial bacteria that aid in maintaining healthy gut microflora. We hypothesized that probiotic administration would positively affect gut morphology and increase IgG secretion during an Eimeria challenge, which was evaluated by measuring total chicken IgG and gut morphology (villus height, villus width, villus surface area, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio and lamina propria thickness). On day-of-hatch, broilers were placed into floor pens with 50% pine shavings and 50% used litter. The broilers were exposed to Eimeria oocysts via the feed on day 14 and challenged on day 36. On days 6, 22, 36, and 43, tissue samples from the intestine were collected for morphological evaluation, and blood samples were taken to quantify chicken IgG from serum. Data were measured using a factorial ANOVA and main effect means were deemed significant at P ≤ 0.05. In cases where significant interactions were observed, data was subjected to a one-way ANOVA. All means were separated using a Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.
Response of bio-regulators on flower drop, growth and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan).

Effect of foliar application of bio-regulators, viz. TIBA (2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid, 25 mg and 50 mg l−1), IAA (indole acetic acid, 25 mg and 50 mg l−1), Kintein (5 mg and 10 mg l−1), and NAA (naphthalene acetic acid, 25 mg and 50 mg l−1) was studied on flower drop, growth and yield of pigeonpea variety ‘UPAS-120’ for two consecutive kharif seasons of 2005 and 2006 at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Spraying of TIBA (50 mg l−1) increased flowering, number of pods plant−1, number of seeds pod−1 and 1000-seed weight during both the seasons. It also increased seed yield and harvest index of pigeonpea by 20.9% and 25.0% over control, respectively.
Ectoparasites of domestic animals in Northern Nigeria

1 SUMMARY This study was carried out with the aim of updating the fauna of ectoparasites infesting domestic animals in Northern Nigeria. The study covered a period of 15 years (1990 to 2005) and utilised the record of samples brought to the Veterinary Entomology Laboratory of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, by clients from different parts of Northern Nigeria. Total parasite samples submitted were 931, negative samples were 407 (43.72%), positive samples were 524 (56.28%) with the following pests: lice, 104 (11.28%); ticks, 146 (15.68%); mites, 221 (23.74%), flea 36 (3.90%) and myiatic larvae, 17 (1.82%). Seasonal distribution revealed the peak periods for the majority of the parasites to be at the onset and the end of the rainy season. The most abundant from each of the groups the ectoparasites included Amblyomma variegatum (tick), Manecanthus stramineus (lice), Demodex canis (mite), Ctenocephalides felis (flea) and Oestrus ovis (myiatic larvae). The high fauna of ectoparasites all year round suggests the need for strategic control measures in order to ensure good health of domestic animals in this region.
Improve Nitrogen use efficiency of wheat cultivars under Western Australian conditions

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of wheat cultivars can be improved by modifying the onset of senescence to optimise sink-source balance for target environments. The NUE can be divided into two main components: nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), shows the capacity of the plant to absorb N from the soil; and nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUtE), shows the ability to use available N within plant to produce grain. Therefore, understanding the mechanism regulating NUE and its components is required to produce high yielding cultivars with minimum N application. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of No Apical Meristem gene (NAM) on the senescence in relation to NUE in Australian wheat cultivars. An additional aim was to identify the critical traits associated with NUE and its components under low and high N conditions. Nineteen cultivars of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) carrying different combination of NAM gene were studied under three levels of N fertilisation applied at two development stages in two-year field trials at Western Australia. Further detailed investigation was carried out through two glasshouse experiments using four cultivars with significant differences in nutrient remobilisation, which were selected based on the results of field trials with different N treatments. In general, NUE showed stronger association with NUpE rather than NUtE. The traits correlated to high NUE include, greater above-ground biomass, robust root system and stay-green attribute to increase pre-anthesis N uptake and post-anthesis N remobilisation. Cultivars carrying functional allele of NAM-B1 or/and NAM-A1a allele accelerated the onset of senescence, while the non-functional allele of NAM-B1 or/and NAM-A1c and d alleles delayed the onset of senescence. The complete absence of the functional NAM-B1 gene is a common phenomenon in Australian wheat cultivars. However, NAM-A1, a gene with a similar function to NAM-B1 involved in remobilising nutrients and accelerating senescence, is characteristic of Australian cultivars. Accelerating the onset of senescence results in a short grain filling phase reaching to mature grain before the unfavourable summer conditions with dry season end and promote better remobilisation of stored carbon and nitrogen at Western Australia conditions. As concluded, NUE could be improved by selecting specific combinations of NAM gene alleles for target environments by fine-tuning the duration of growth phases influencing the sink-source relationships. Furthermore, selecting genotypes with high NUE require identifying the key traits under low nitrogen conditions, as well as, under high nitrogen conditions.
First Case of Human Latrodectism in Egypt: Case Report

The first case of envenoming by Latrodectus geometricus in Egypt is described. The accident occurred at the victim’s home, in Tookh El-Kheil, Minia governorate. The 29-year-old female victim was bitten on the right forearm. She developed a hyperactive state of the central, autonomic and peripheral nervous systems, respiratory distress, severe abdominal colic with minor local symptoms. Later on, the patient developed paralytic ileus. Unfortunately, due to the lack of the antivenin in Egypt, the patient was treated symptomatically. By the 5th day, she was completely clinically free and discharged the next day.
Macrofungi and Their Distribution in Karaman Province, Turkey

Herein, macrofungi specimens that were collected from different locations in Karaman province, Turkey between 1999 and 2001 are reported. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 202 taxa belonging to 2 classes and 41 families were identified. Of them, 11 taxa belonged to Ascomycetes and 191 to Basidiomycetes. The most common families were Tricholomataceae, with 36 species; Bolbitiaceae, with 16 species; Agaricaceae and Cortinariaceae, with 15 species each; Coprinaceae, with 13 species; and Hymenochaetaceae, with 12 species.
Effect of Obestatin on Gonadal Functions in High Fat-fed Albino Rats

Background: Obestatin is a peptide potentially produced in the stomach, pancreas and testis. Recently, obestatin was reported as a novel adipocytokine and its levels were decreased in obese subjects. Objective: This study was designed to explore the probable effects of obestain peptide in modulating the adverse effects of obesity on gonadal functions with a trial to clarify some of the possible underlying mechanisms. Animals and methods: 64 wistar albino rats 21-day old (32 males and 32 females) were divided equally (8males and 8females) into 4 groups, group (Ia): Saline-vehicle treated normal fed group, group (Ib): Rats were fed a normal chow for 10 weeks then obestatin was i.p injected (1 nmol) daily for 10 days, group (IIa): Saline-vehicle treated high fat fed group and group (IIb): Rats were fed high fat diet for 10 weeks then injected i.p with obestatin (1 nmol) daily for 10 days. 5 days after the end of obestatin administration BMI and AC/TC ratio were calculated, serum glucose& insulin (with calculation of HOMA-IR), lipid profile, FSH, LH, estradiol, in addition to testosterone (in male rats), and progesterone (in female rats), were estimated, mesenteric fat, epididymal fat, periovarian fat, the right testes and ovaries, were weighed. The epididymes were used for the evaluation of sperm parameters. The testes and ovaries were processed for histopathological studies. Results: There was a significant (p<0.001) increase in the anthropometric parameters together with deterioration of metabolic and gonadal functions in high fat fed group (group IIa), while exogenous obestatin administration in (group IIb) resulted in: Significant decrease in the anthropometric parameters and the fat weight, significant decrease in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p<0.001), significant increase in serum LH (p<0.001)&testosterone (p<0.01), sperm count (p<0.01) and motility (p<0.001) in male rats. Moreover, there was a significant increase in serum LH (p<0.05) & progesterone (p<0.05) and restoration of the regularity of the estrus cycle (p<0.0001) in female rats. Together with marked improvement in the gonadal histoarchitecture. Conclusions: It could be suggested that obestatin has a potential positive role against obesity-induced gonadal dysfunction, which may be due to its role in maintenance of glucose & insulin homeostasis, and/ or maintenance of gonadal hormonal function via indirect and/or direct effect on the gonad.
Molecular identification of the tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea from Turkey

Halophila stipulacea (Forsskal) Ascherson, a tropical seagrass, is thought to be a Lessepsian immigrant that entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea after the opening of the Suez Canal (1869). Up to date, no genetic studies of H. stipulaceafrom Turkey are available. In order to verify the molecular identity of Turkish isolates of H. stipulacea, a part of the rDNA ITS region was sequenced. Comparisons of the genetic polymorphism of this region between isolates from the Turkish coasts of the Aegean Sea and individuals from putative native (Red Sea) and introduced (Mediterranean) populations deposited previously in GenBank were performed. No intra-individual variability was found in the region considered among the isolates from Turkey.
On Measurement and Evaluation of Health Care Services Based on the Capability Approach

The purpose of this paper is to apply the capability approach, which was proposed by Amartya Sen, to measuring and evaluating health care services. More concretely, this paper examines the operational method of applying the capability approach based on an empirical research on nursing care services. The points of formulation are the following three. 1. The informational base is patientsʼ evaluations of nursing care services in terms of achievements of two functionings, “living arts” and “accessing social services. ” 2. Next identifying patientsʼ groups according to the similarity of utilization abilities, 3. Finally, inferring the frontier of the capability set of each group, by aggregating the functioning vectors achieved by members of each group. The inferred frontier of the capability set represents an opportunity set, from which an individual can freely choose an optimal functioning vector according to her own evaluation function.
Expression and functional characterisation of the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI

﻿ This thesis is concerned with the study of the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI). GPVI has been studied in a number of human haematopoietic cell lines and found to be expressed only in those showing mekaryocytic features. Moreover, differentiation of the human cell lines HEL and CMK to a megakaryocytic lineage using the phorbol ester PMA revealed upregulation of GPVI together with the associated FcR γ-chain. Further, primary cultures of mouse marrow cells demonstrated up-regulation of GPVI towards the end of differentiation, therefore confirming data obtained with cell lines and pointing to GPVI as a possible marker of megakaryocytic differentiation. Structure/function studies of GPVI were carried out by means of transient and stable transfection of the receptor into COS-7 or K562 cells. These studies demonstrated the necessity of the transmembrane argine and the cytoplasmic tail of GPVI for association to the FcR γ-chain. Lack of association or absence of FcR γ-chain rendered GPVI unable to signal, despite binding to convulxin, a GPVI-specific ligand which causes activation of the receptor. K562 cells expressing GPVI and the FcR γ-chain were able to reconstitute the proximal but not distal events in GPVI signaling. A detailed analysis demonstrated impairment in phosphorylation and translocation of SLP-76 to the membrane, despite the presence and activation of others proteins known to be necessary for this phosphorylation/translocation to occur. Stable expression of GPVI in K562 cells, which display low levels of expression of the collagen receptors α2βl and CD36, does not confer signaling properties in response to collagen. However, the cells respond to a collagen related peptide (CRP) which is specific for GPVI and to the snake venoms convulxin, alborhagin and alboaggregin-A, demonstrating that GPVI is one important component through which these venoms are acting.
Fermentation of vegetable substrates by lactic acid bacteria as a basis of functional foods.

Nmekova I. , Dragounova H. , Pechaova M. , Rysova J., Roubal P. (2011): Fermentation of vegetable substrates by lactic acid bacteria as a basis of functional foods. Czech J. Food Sci., 29 (Special Issue): S42–S48. People suffering from lactose intolerance, cow’s milk allergy or phenylketonuria or people on low-protein diet are restricted in the consumption of dairy products. Their consumers’ basket should be variegated and enriched with probiotics. The main task was to evaluate important growth and metabolic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria in rice, natural rice, corn, chickpea and barley. Suspensions of the respective flours in water (8% w/w) were supplemented with glucose (1% w/w), pasteurised and fermented. Suitable combinations of cultures and substrates enable the growth of microorganisms minimally by t 2 decimal orders. This is connected with a specific shape of the acidification curve pH should be higher than 4.5 after 4-h fermentation. The vegetable samples contained lower concentrations of organic acids than milk samples because of their lower contents of the buffering substances. Fermentation did not result in any decrease in the concentration of protein or phenylalanine. Thus, special formulas of foods for people on phenylketonuria diet or low-protein diets should be conceived. Fermentation of vegetable substrates seems to be a prospective technology in functional foods manufacturing.