Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of genotype and overfeeding on fat level and composition of adipose and muscle tissues in ducks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotype (Muscovy, Pekin and their crossbred hinny and mule ducks) and overfeeding (14 days from 12 weeks of age) on the quantity and quality of lipid deposition in adipose and muscle tissue in ducks. Samples of muscles (Pectoralis major and Iliotibialis superficialis) and abdominal fat were collected at 14 weeks of age to determine lipid levels, lipid classes and fatty acid composition. By comparison with the other genotypes, Pekin ducks exhibited higher amounts of abdominal fat and higher lipid levels in muscles (+105 and +120% in P. major and Iliotibialis superficialis, respectively) by comparison with Muscovy ducks. By comparison with other genotypes, Muscovy ducks exhibited the lowest triglyceride and phospholipid levels in muscles and Pekin ducks the highest levels. Muscovy ducks also showed the lowest cholesterol levels in I. Superficialis muscles. Muscovy ducks exhibited the highest levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle and adipose tissues and the lowest levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and Pekin ducks exhibited the reverse. For all these parameters, the crossbred ducks always presented intermediate values. Overfeeding induced an accumulation of lipids in adipose and muscle tissues (1.2- to 1.7- fold, depending on muscle type and genotype). This increase was higher in P. major than in I. superficialis muscles. The increase in the amount of abdominal fat was 1.7- to 3.1-fold, depending on genotype. This increase in lipid levels in peripheral tissues was mainly induced by triglyceride deposition. Finally, it induced a considerable increase in proportions of MUFA (particularly oleic acid) (expressed as % of total fatty acids) at the expense of PUFA (particularly arachidonic acid) and SFA. However, the amounts (expressed as g per 100 g of tissue) of SFA and MUFA increased in tissues while the amounts of PUFA remained unchanged in muscles and decreased in abdominal fat. The quantity and quality of fat deposition in peripheral tissues depends on the liver's ability to synthesise and also to export lipids. lipids / fatty acids / meat / muscles / ducks
The use of isotope ratios to test for seaweed eating in sheep

The primitive sheep of North Ronaldsay Island (Orkney), which feed almost exclusively on seaweed, have developed physiological features linked to that diet. The use of seaweed to feed domestic animals, attested for centuries in north-western Europe, may have appeared soon after the arrival of the first domestic herds during the 5th and 4th millennia BC . The use of isotope analysis of sheep tooth enamel as a means to investigate seaweed grazing in prehistoric times was tested. The teeth of five modern North Ronaldsay sheep were analysed for carbon (δ 13 C) and oxygen (δ 18 O) isotope ratios. Owing to differences in the δ 13 C of marine vs terrestrial plants, the seaweed-eating sheep have δ 13 C values clearly outside the range expected for terrestrial plant eaters. Results show that one group of individuals relied exclusively on seaweed throughout the year. In a second group, terrestrial plants provided about half the dietary carbon pool during the summer. In individuals relying exclusively on seaweed, the amplitude of seasonal change in the δ 18 O values of tooth enamel was low, possibly because of ingestion of marine water through fresh seaweed consumption. Analysis of a sheep tooth from the Neolithic site of Holm of Papa Westray (Orkney, Scotland), suggests that as early as at the beginning of the 4th millennium BC in the Orkney, seaweed contributed to the winter diet of domestic sheep.
In situ and in vitro techniques for estimating degradation parameters and digestibility of diets based on maize or sorghum

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate: (1) the effects of ensiling maize or sorghum grains after reconstitution on readily soluble fraction (a), potentially degradable fraction in the rumen (b) and rate constant for degradation of b (c) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and starch (STA); and (2) an appropriate incubation time for in situ or in vitro procedures to estimate in vivo digestibility. Four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (body weight = 262 ± 19.6 kg) distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square were used. Diets were based on dry ground maize (DGM); or dry ground sorghum (DGS); or reconstituted ground maize silage; or reconstituted ground sorghum silage. In vitro and in situ incubations of the individual grains and diets were simultaneously performed with in vivo digestibility. In general, reconstituted grains and diets based on reconstituted grains presented greater (P < 0.05) fraction a and lower (P < 0.05) fraction b of DM, OM and STA compared to dry grains and diets based on dry grain. However, the magnitude of response of the reconstitution and ensiling process on DM and OM degradability parameter was greater for maize than that for sorghum. Moreover, no differences (P > 0.05) were observed between DGM- and DGS-based diets for c estimates. The results suggest that the reconstitution process promotes grains protein matrix breakdown increasing STA availability. The incubation times required for in vivo digestibility estimations of DM, OM and STA are 24 h for in situ and 36 h for in vitro procedures.
Drug-eluting beads-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with or without iodine-125 treatment is effective and tolerable in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: a pilot study

Background This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with or without iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods A total of 25 advanced NSCLC patients underwent DEB-TACE were consecutively enrolled, among which 17 cases also received 125I seed implantation post DEB-TACE treatment. Treatment response, overall survival (OS), biochemical indexes and safety profiles were recorded and analyzed. Results Zero (0.0%), 13 (54.2%), 9 (37.5%) and 2 (8.3%) patients realized complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progression disease (PD) respectively, and the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 54.2% and 91.7%. The median OS was 12.6 (95% CI: 7.8–17.5) months. No difference of treatment response or OS was observed between DEB-TACE treatment alone and DEB-TACE plus 125I seed implantation. Predictive factors analysis revealed that tumor size correlated with worse OS. Besides, chest distress grade and dyspnea grade were decreased after DEB-TACE procedure, while clinical symptoms were not changed after 125I seed implantation. The common adverse events (AEs) were fever (32.0%), pain (12.0%) by DEB-TACE treatment, and common AE was pain (26.7%) by 125I seed implantation. Conclusions DEB-TACE with or without 125I seed implantation is effective and tolerable in treating advanced NSCLC patients.
The State of Automated Facial Expression Analysis (AFEA) in Evaluating Consumer Packaged Beverages

In the late 1970s, analysis of facial expressions to unveil emotional states began to grow and flourish along with new technologies and software advances. Researchers have always been able to document what consumers do, but understanding how consumers feel at a specific moment in time is an important part of the product development puzzle. Because of this, biometric testing methods have been used in numerous studies, as researchers have worked to develop a more comprehensive understanding of consumers. Despite the many articles on automated facial expression analysis (AFEA), literature is limited in regard to food and beverage studies. There are no standards to guide researchers in setting up materials, processing data, or conducting a study, and there are few, if any, compilations of the studies that have been performed to determine whether any methodologies work better than others or what trends have been found. Through a systematic Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) review, 38 articles were found that were relevant to the research goals. The authors identified AFEA study methods that have worked and those that have not been as successful and noted any trends of particular importance. Key takeaways include a listing of commercial AFEA software, experimental methods used within the PRISMA analysis, and a comprehensive explanation of the critical methods and practices of the studies analyzed. Key information was analyzed and compared to determine effects on the study outcomes. Through analyzing the various studies, suggestions and guidance for conducting and analyzing data from AFEA experiments are discussed.
Effect of cyclodextrin diallyl maleate on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes in vitro and in vivo

Effects of β-cyclodextrin diallyl maleate (CD-M) on methane production, ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD-M using hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as a substrate. The CD-M was added at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/L). The pH of the medium and numbers of protozoa were not affected by the addition of CD-M. Total volatile fatty acids were increased and ammonia-N was decreased, molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) by 14–76%. The effect of CD-M on methane production and ruminal fermentation was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a cross-over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay and concentrate mixture (1.5:1) with or without CD-M (2% of feed dry matter) as a supplement. Ruminal proportion of acetate tended to decrease and that of propionate was increased (P < 0.05) 2 h after CD-M dosing. Total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing, acetogenic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected while methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased, whereas that of urea-N was decreased (P < 0.05). Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) from 36.4 to 30.1 L/kg dry matter intake by the addition of CD-M. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were not affected while that of crude protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the medicated steers. These data suggested that dietary supplementation of CD-M decreased methane production and improved nutrient use.
Space and Habitat Selection by Female European Wild Cats ( Felis silvestris silvestris )

Studies on the use of space and habitat selection of threatened species are useful for identifying factors that influence fitness of individuals and population viability. However, there is a considerable lack of published information regarding these factors for the European wildcat ( Felis silvestris ). Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve (SMNR), a mountainous area in the eastern centre of Portugal, hosts a stable wildcat population which constitutes a priority in terms of conservation. We studied space use and habitat selection of female wildcats in SMNR with the following objectives: 1) to describe seasonal space use and habitat selection and 2) to obtain information on priority habitats for wildcats in order to develop a proper conservation strategy. We used radio-telemetry as the basic tool for our study and we analysed habitat selection using an Euclidean distance-based approach to investigate seasonal and annual habitat selection by wildcats. We detected that during spring females exhibit smaller home ranges and core areas. Females exhibited habitat selection for establishing home ranges from the available habitats within the study area. In fact, females selected Quercus pyrenaica forests and Quercus rotundifolia and Arbutus unedo forests positively and avoided Erica spp. and Cistus ladanifer scrubland and other habitats. Quercus pyrenaica forests and Quercus rotundifolia and Arbutus unedo forests are important habitats for female wildcats because they provide shelter and food resources, such as small mammals. They also contain elevated tree cavities which can be use as dens. In contrast, Erica spp. and Cistus ladanifer scrubland is an extremely dense habitat with low associated biodiversity and so wildcats avoid it. We believe that this habitat, as well as pine stands, do not provide food and cover resources for wildcats. Home ranges with higher percentage of these habitat types tend to be larger, since females are required to use larger areas to meet their resource requirements. Our results emphasize the importance of the remaining autochthonous forests in wildcat conservation. Therefore, we recommend that current habitat policy for restoration and conservation should be continued and expanded in order to substantially increase the amount of natural forested land in Serra da Malcata.
Observations of Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera (Aves: Falconiformes: Falconidae) nest at Keraniganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a focus on post-fledging behavior

A nest of Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera was observed in 2009, beginning with the onset of breeding and continuing on to the next breeding of the pair. The nest was found on 02 March 2009 in an electricity pylon in a sub-urban area at Keraniganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The incubation period was estimated at a minimum of four weeks and the nestling period was 37 days. Fledglings remained in the nesting area up to four months after fledging. The female almost exclusively fed the nestlings and fledglings. The diet of adults, nestlings and fledglings consisted of 72% small birds (sparrow sized) and 28% Pipistrellus bats (n = 112). The diet of fledglings consisted of 61% birds and 39% bats (n= 72; before independence mainly birds and after independence mainly bats). Parents delivered prey to fledglings up to 39 days after fledging (i.e., post-fledging dependence period was 39 days). The fledgling’s flight pattern was distinguishable from the adults nearly two months after fledging. The fledgling’s call reminiscent of a begging call was recorded up to 75 days after fledging. Food competition was observed among the fledglings; when one of the fledglings snatched prey from a parent, the other siblings tried to pilfer it. The parents had resumed breeding eight months after the fledging stage of their offspring.
Genetic diversity of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus Linn 1758) from Indonesian waters (Sunda and Sahul Shelf, Wallacea region): Phylogenetic approach

Abstract. Hidayani AA, Fujaya Y, Trijuno DD, Rukminasari N, Alimuddin A. 2020. Genetic diversity of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus Linnaeus 1758) from Indonesian waters (Sunda and Sahul Shelf, Wallacea region): Phylogenetic approach. Biodiversitas 21: 2097-2102. Blue swimming crab is one of the exploited fisheries commodities in Indonesia. This condition has contributed to the decline of their genetic diversity. The information on genetic diversity assumes importance for the conservation and the cultural purposes of species. The study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of blue swimming crabs from Indonesian waters using phylogenetic analysis. We conducted sampling of crab from several Indonesian waters, such the Aceh and Semarang (representing Sunda Shelf), Barru, South Sulawesi, and Maumere, Flores (representing Wallacea region) and Sorong, Raja Ampat and Kaimana (representing Sahul Shelf). Genetic diversity in this study using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) by implementing the method of Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI). According to the findings, the blue swimming crabs from our study sites had a high genetic diversity variation. Three groups of crabs were determined using phylogenetic tree which formed three different unique clades. There was the same haplotype of crab observed from different locations, barring a sample from the Sahul Shelf which has a unique haplotype. There was no genetic speciation of crab samples from the Sunda Shelf and the Wallacea region were observed, except samples from the Sahul Shelf. Hybridization might occur between species of the crabs due to the finding of a cryptic species.
Production of Taxol and its Analogues from Cell Cultures of Taxus wallichiana

Callus cultures of Taxus wallichiana young leaves were established on Gamborg’s (B5) medium supplemented with dicamba (2 mg/l), benzyladenine (0.2 mg/l) and glutamine (292 mg/l). The cell cultures were initiated and maintained on B5 medium supplemented with NAA (1mg/l) and benzyladenine (0.02 mg/l). 0.25 B5 medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg/l) and zeatin (0.5 mg/l) was found to be suitable as production medium. On HPLC analysis using photodiode array detector, the extracts from cell cultures showed the presence of taxanes, viz., taxol, deacetyl baccatin III (DAB) and baccatin III (BA). Precursors and growth retardants significantly improved the production of taxol, DAB and BA. Phenylalanine (1 mM), sodium benzoate (0.2mM), hippuric acid (1 mM) and leucine (1 mM) addition enhanced the accumulation of taxol (6, 4.5, 25 and 2 times, respectively), DAB (7, 9.5, 7.5 and 3 times, respectively) and BA (36, 16, 57 and 2 times, respectively) in cultures grown in production medium. Ancymidol (50µM) and 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid (50µM) addition has shown significant increase in bioproduction of taxol (3 and 11 times, respectively), DAB (3 and 1.5 times, respectively) and BA (16 and 9 times, respectively). However, chlorocholine chloride (1mM) improved the production of DAB (2.5 times) and taxol (1.7 times) only.
Summer fallow soil management – impact on rainfed winter wheat

Summer fallow soil management is an important approach to improve soil and crop management in dryland areas. In the Loess Plateau regions, the annual precipitation is low and varies annually and seasonally, with more than 60% concentrated in the summer months from July to September, which is the summer fallow period in the winter wheat-summer fallow cropping system. With bare fallow in summer as a control, a 3-year location-fixed field experiment was conducted in the Loess Plateau to investigate the effects of wheat straw retention (SR), green manure (GM) planting, and their combination on soil water retention (WR) during summer fallow, winter wheat yield, and crop water use and nitrogen (N) uptake. The results showed that SR increased soil WR during summer fallow by 20 mm on average compared with the control over 3 experimental years but reduced the grain yield by 8% in the third year and the grain N content by 6–15% in all 3 years. In contrast, GM planting markedly reduced soil WR by 16 mm and 33 mm in the first and third year, respectively, but increased water use efficiency (WUE) by 16% in the third year and nitrate N accumulation in 0–100 cm soil at winter wheat sowing. Their combination did not significantly affect the soil WR or the soil nitrate N content in any of the 3 years, but did increase WUE by 11% in the third year and grain yield by 2.6% in the second year. In conclusion, the combination of SR and GM planting mitigated the negative effects of the individual measures, providing a feasible method for summer fallow management in the semiarid Loess Plateau in China and other similar regions.
Rapid On‐Farm Analysis of Manure Nutrients Using Quick Tests

Quick tests enabling rapid, on-farm assessment of manure nutrient content could appreciably enhance manure management. The objectives of this study were to review the literature on the accuracy of quick tests, describe their operation, and to assess their ease of use and their suitability for routine on-farm use. These quick tests are the hydrometer, electrical conductivity (EC), ammonia electrode, reflectometer, Agros N Meter (or Nova meter), and Quantofix-N-Volumeter. The ammonia electrode provided accurate direct measurement of slurry ammonium ; however, its fragility and the difficulty of setting it up, suggested limited suitability for on-farm use. The hydrometer indirectly measures total N and total P based on relationships with dry matter (total solids) content and specific gravity. Results have been variable between regions and species. Electrical conductivity is used as an indirect measurement of ammonium and K; the limited results to date have been consistently good for ammonium N, and variable for K. The Agros N Meter and Quantofix-N-Volumeter both directly measure ammonium N and possibly some organic N. For both, agreement with lab analyses of ammonium N has been generally very good. The reflectometer measures the color intensity of test strips; limited results with ammonium N in slurries are promising. Several quick tests have the potential for accurately measuring manure nutrients on the farm. They generally were more effective with slurries than solid manures. For each quick test, single farm or regional calibrations with lab analysis are recommended, and in some cases necessary.
Influence of feed form on gizzard morphology and particle size spectra of duodenal digesta in broiler chickens

We examined gizzard morphology and diet particle size reduction in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet that was offered in either a mash or a pelleted form. The pelleted diet had a lower proportion of coarse particles on wet sieving. Birds fed the mash diet had a significantly larger gizzard mass per unit body mass. The gizzards of all birds increased uniformly in size, there being no significant change either in the ratio of content to empty mass or in the ratio of gizzard length to breadth with diet. Thus, there was no tendency for coarse particles to accumulate in the gizzards of bird fed the mash diet. The relative proportion of all classes of particles below 0.500mm was increased and the relative proportion of all particle classes above 0.500mm was reduced in birds regardless of feed form. The relative increase of particles in all classes below 0.500mm was greater in birds fed mash feed. However, digesta exiting the gizzard of birds fed mash diet contained significantly greater amounts of particles of size classes 1mm and greater than digesta of those fed the pelleted diet. Thus, whilst the gizzard operates to generally reduce particle sizes above 0.500mm and increase those below this size, this reduction is not uniform and likely to be a probabilistic function as it is in the human mouth.