Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Forest Management on Running Buffalo Clover (Trifolium stoloniferum Muhl. ex A. Eaton) Distribution and Abundance in the Fernow Experimental Forest

ABSTRACT: Identifying habitat preferences of species of concern is fundamental to the practice of conservation, but disturbances and other environmental processes can substantially affect suitability. Trifolium stoloniferum, or running buffalo clover, is a federally endangered plant species that occurs on the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia. Previous work and extensive anecdotal evidence suggests that this species is maintained in part by periodic disturbances to its habitat. In the Fernow Experimental Forest, this disturbance is in the form of intermittent logging activities. We investigated the role of forest harvesting practices and environmental variables in fostering T. stoloniferum at the stand level. Censuses have been conducted on T. stoloniferum occurrences in the Fernow since 1994, and occurrences are grouped by subcompartment or watershed, which are the basic management units within this experimental forest. Site characteristics and disturbance history were assessed for their impact upon T. stoloniferum presence and density. Classification tree analysis identified total number of forest harvest events in a subcompartment since 1948 as the most important predictor of T. stoloniferum presence or absence. Regression tree analysis identified aspect as important in determining T. stoloniferum abundance, with west-facing compartments supporting larger populations. This study confirms the importance of disturbance in maintaining T. stoloniferum populations. However, site characteristics independent of disturbance history are also predictors of T. stoloniferum presence and abundance, suggesting that managers attempting to restore or create habitat for T. stoloniferum should account for the interaction between disturbance history and site characters in determining suitability of habitat for T. stoloniferum.
Effect of humic and application at different growth stages of kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) on the basis of physio-biochemical and reproductive responses.

The property of humic acid as a bio-fertilizer in respect of stimulating morphophysiological and biochemical peculiarities of plants is well documented. The present investigation was proposed to delineate the reproductive behavior, physiological attributes and fruit biochemistry of a perennial plant (kinnow mandarin), in response to humic acid. Three doses (40, 60 and 80 ml plant-1) of 8% humic acid (HA), addressed in the drip line of kinnow mandarin plants, with recommended doses of NPK (1000: 500: 500 g plant-1) at three developmental stages viz. before flowering and after fruit setting in two phases, expedited prominent synergistic effects on number of fruits per branch, fruit set per branch and number of fruits per plant. It distinctly contributed towards reduction in fruit drop percentage. Significant positive influence was observed on total chlorophyll contents, stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate. Likewise, a positive effect of HA was detected in cases of total soluble solids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), total sugars, and reducing and non reducing sugars. However, an attenuating trend was illustrious in case of acidity. Such promising impressions of humic acid can be attributed to stimulation of maximum nutrient uptake by plant and its ability to acquit hormonal behavior. From current investigation, it is screened out that HA application in three splits (before flowering in February, after fruit setting in April and in August), gave fantabulous beneficial response as compared to its single application in a season. Keeping in view the findings of these investigations, humic acid can be cited as an efficient biofertilizer for the improvement of plant performance.
Principles, problems and application of amino acid digestibility in poultry

Amino acid availability values of feedstuffs are likely to form the basis of poultry feed formulation in the future. Already many nutritionists employ digestible amino acid values, but there is a lack of information from a single source derived from the application of accepted measurement procedures. The present paper reviews the basis of amino acid digestibility in poultry, examines the essential elements of measurement procedures, discusses recently published information and considers briefly how digestibility relates to availability. Finally, the use of digestible amino acids in practical feed formulation is considered.
Identifying multiscale habitat factors influencing koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) occurrence and management in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Summary Modelling for the conservation of koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) populations has primarily focused on natural habitat variables (e.g. tree species, soil types and soil moisture). Until recently, limited consideration has been given to modelling the effects of the landscape context (e.g. habitat area, habitat configuration and roads). Yet, the combined influence of natural habitats and anthropogenic impacts at multiple spatial scales are likely to be important determinants of where koala populations occur and remain viable in human-modified landscapes. The study tested the importance of multiscale habitat variables on koala occurrence in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The models focused at three spatial scales: site ( < 1 ha), patch (1–100 ha), and landscape (100–1000 s ha). Logistic regression and hierarchical partitioning analyses were used to rank alternative models and key explanatory variables. The results showed that an increased likelihood of koala presence in fragmented landscapes in the urban–forest interface (as opposed to larger blocks of forest habitat) can best be explained by the positive effects of soil fertility and the presence of preferred koala tree species in these fragmented areas. If koalas are to be effectively conserved in Ballarat, it is critical to (i) protect remaining core areas of high-quality habitat, including regenerating areas; (ii) protect scattered habitat patches which provide connectivity; and (iii) develop and implement habitat restoration programmes to improve habitat connectivity and enhance opportunities for safe koala movement between habitat patches intersected by main roads.
“And You're Telling Me Not to Stress?” a Grounded Theory Study of Postpartum Depression Symptoms among Low-Income Mothers

Low-income mothers in the U.S. are more likely to experience postpartum depression (PPD) and less likely to seek treatment than their middle-class counterparts. Despite this knowledge, prior research has not provided an in-depth understanding of PPD symptoms as they are experienced by low-income mothers. Through in-depth interviews, this study investigated low-income mothers' (n = 19) experiences and explanatory frameworks for their PPD symptoms. Grounded theory analysis uncovered five main categories that linked the participants' PPD symptoms to their lived experiences of mothering in poverty, including: (1) ambivalence, (2) caregiving overload, (3) juggling, (4) mothering alone, and (5) real-life worry. The analysis further located the core experience of PPD for low-income mothers as “feeling overwhelmed” due to mothering in materially and socially stressful conditions. These findings challenge the prevailing biomedical discourse surrounding PPD and situate mothers' symptoms in the context of the material hardships associated with living in poverty.
Cellular senescence mediates the detrimental effect of prenatal dexamethasone exposure on postnatal long bone growth in mice offspring

Background: Prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) induces low birth weight and retardation of fetal bone development which are associated with lower peak bone mass in adult offspring. Here we evaluated whether and how PDE affects postnatal long bone growth in mice offspring. Methods: Pregnant mice were injected subcutaneously with dexamethasone (1.2 mg/kg/day) every morning from gestational day (GD) 12-14. Femurs and tibias of 2-, 4-, 6-, and 12-week-old female offspring were harvested for histological, immunofluorescence, flow cytometric analysis, or microcomputed tomography (μCT) measurement. Results: PDE leads to impaired bone remodeling as well as decreased bone mass in the long bone of female mice offspring. During postnatal bone growth, significant decrease of CD45-CD29+CD105+Sca-1+ bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and CD45-Nestin+ cells, loss of type H vessels as well as increment of cellular senescence were found in metaphysis of long bone in mice offspring after PDE. We further show that eliminating the excessive senescent cells with dasatinib (5 mg/kg/day) and quercetin (50 mg/kg/day) during GD 12-14 rescues the above toxic effect of PDE on the postnatal long bone growth in female mice offspring. Conclusion: Cellular senescence mediates the toxic effect of PDE on postnatal long bone growth in mice offspring, and inhibition of cellular senescence may be proposed for treating the retardation of bone growth caused by PDE.
Effect of loaf specific volume on the rate and extent of staling in bread

The quantitative relationships between loaf specific volume and the rate and extent of staling in bread as measured by changes in crumb elastic modulus have been examined. The results show that loaf specific volume is a major factor in determining both the rate and extent of staling, both of which decrease in a linear manner, over the range studied, as loaf volume increases. Only two factors have been found that have a significant influence on these curves, the basic breadmaking process and the storage temperature. The influence of changes in loaf specific volume on staling characteristics is greater in bread prepared by bulk fermentation than in bread prepared by the Chorleywood Bread Process. Bread made by the Chorleywood Bread Process stales less rapidly than bread made by the conventional bulk fermentation process. The effect of loaf specific volume on the rate of staling is more marked as the storage temperature is lowered.
A molecular survey across Madagascar does not yield positive records of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Madagascar harbors a rich and diverse amphibian fauna, with over 280 nominal species of native frogs, all of which are endemic to the island. Although many species are threatened predominantly by habitat destruction, so far this fauna has not experienced any enigmatic declines as amphibians have in other parts of the globe. The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), associated with mass amphibian die offs in Europe, the Americas and Australia has so far not been detected in Madagascar, but surveys so far were based mainly on histological examination of frog samples, with molecular data from only a single site. Here, we present results from a molecular screening of altogether 300 frog specimens belonging to 53 species in 13 genera, from 12 sites throughout Madagascar spanning all of Madagascar's major bioclimatic regions and an array of different elevations from 20 to 2400 m above sea level. All samples were analyzed using a standard quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and yielded only negative results, suggesting the widespread absence or very localized and low prevalence of the amphibian chytrid fungus across Madagascar during the sampling years 2006 and 2007.
DNA damage detected with γH2AX in endometrioid adenocarcinoma cell lines

Phosphorylation of histone H2AX (gammaH2AX) is a sensitive marker of DNA damage, particularly induction of DNA double-strand breaks. Using multiparameter cytometry we explored the effects of doxorubicin (DOX), cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on four types of endometrioid adenocarcinoma cell lines (HEC-1A, HEC-1B, Ishikawa, KLE) correlating the drug-induced increases in phosphorylated H2AX (gammaH2AX) with cell cycle phase, induction of apoptosis and induction of cell senescence, the latter detected by analysis of beta-galactosidase. The study revealed significant differences among the cell lines in the effects of DNA damage vis-a-vis cell cycle phase specificity, induction of apoptosis or senescence following drug treatment. DOX treatment showed little cell cycle specificity in terms of induction of gammaH2AX, and its mechanism, which is similar to another anthracycline DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor mitoxantrone, may involve oxidative DNA damage modulated by other factors. Treatment with CDDP and 5-FU led to phosphorylation of H2AX preferentially in S-phase cells, consistent with the induction of replication stress. The response of Ishikawa cells expressing wt p53 was different compared to other cell lines. The data suggest that the treatment of endometrioid adenocarcinoma with these drugs may have to be customized to individual patients. The flow cytometric bivariate analysis of gammaH2AX and DNA content is a useful technique for better understanding the effects of antitumor agents and may contribute to customized patient treatments.
Feeding Habits Variability and Trophic Position of Dolphinfish in Waters South of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

AbstractUsing data from analyses of stomach contents and stable isotopes, we examined high-resolution variations in the feeding habits and trophic position of Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus during 2005–2007. In total, 418 specimens were collected off the southern Baja California peninsula, Mexico. Based on analysis of stomach contents (% index of relative importance [%IRI]), Dolphinfish consumed mainly epipelagic prey, with the red crab Pleuroncodes planipes as the most abundant prey species. The diet was highly similar between sexes but differed between size-classes: Dolphinfish smaller than 65 cm FL fed mainly on Pacific Sardine Sardinops sagax caeruleus (%IRI = 30), whereas those larger than 110 cm FL fed mainly on jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas (%IRI = 45) in addition to red crabs. Dietary differences between the smallest and largest specimens were mainly related to changes in morphology and spatial stratification by size (i.e., to avoid cannibalism). Trophic positions estimated by both methods indicate.
Morphological diversity of Kenyan papaya germplasm

1 Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62,000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. 2 Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. 3 Department of Sugar Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1,900-5,100, Kakamega, Kenya. 4 Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62,000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. 5 Food Science and Postharvest Technology Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62,000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
Changes in Guanosine 5'-Diphosphate 3'-Diphosphate (ppGpp) Content of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans during Adaptation for Growth under Denitrifying Conditions

Summary: Changes in the concentrations of guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-diphosphate (ppGpp) in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificans were followed during adaptation for growth under denitrifying conditions. The addition of nitrate or nitrite to photosynthetically-grown 32Palabelled cells resulted in a rapid intracellular accumulation of [32P]ppGpp. Coincident with the rise in concentration of the nucleotide there was an abrupt decrease in the rate of [3H]uridine incorporation into acid-precipitable cell material. Under these conditions an enhancement of nitrate and nitrite reductase activities was observed. However, washed cells preincubated with 5 mM-ascorbate for 60 min did not accumulate ppGpp in response to the addition of nitrate, but the denitrifying enzymes were synthesized. The data indicate an involvement of ppGpp in regulating denitrification, possibly in response to changes in the distribution of available reducing equivalents between photosynthesis and denitrification linked electron transfer when nitrate is included in the growth medium.
Anti-coccidial activity of Nigella sativa L.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate in vivo the anti-coccidial effect of Nigella sativa L. seeds in aqueous suspensions and oil emulsions in rabbits. Both treatments had anti-coccidial effects as demonstrated by reduced fecal oocyst shedding, significant body weight gain, recovery of normal liver weights and remarkable improvement of liver tissue histopathology. This improvements includes disappearance of bleeding between hepatic lobules and severe reduction in the infiltration of the inflammatory cells in the portal area, reduction in the various stages of parasites in the bile ducts, return of the natural hypatocytes radial arrangement, disappearance of all severe symptoms and the heading of the tissue structure towards full recuperation. Though both treatments were effective, the N. sativa oil emulsion treatments showed more rapid and robust anti-parasitic effects than did the water suspension treatments. As previously indicated, N. sativa treatment did not cause any harmful side effects, though uninfected animals that received N. sativa treatments gained more weight than did the untreated controls. Therefore, N. sativa seed suspensions and oil emulsions are safe and effective anti-parasitic treatments for Eimeria stiedae infection in rabbits. Future studies focus on determining the active components of N. sativa seeds, optimizing the effective doses and elucidating the mechanism of action.
TRYPANOSOMES INFECTION IN CAMELS

One hundred and two blood samples from symptomatically infected camels were examined. Among these 14 (13.72%) samples were positive for Trypanosoma evansi. A higher infection was found in females (15.68%) as compared to males (11.76%). Higher (17.64%) infection was noted in males above 4 years of age compared with 5.88% in animals under 3 to 4 years of age.
Effects of Integrated Farming on Herbal And Bird Species Diversity in Czech Agricultural Landscapes

ABSTRACT: Negative impacts from application of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture have been observed since the mid-20th century, when their use rapidly increased. This led to decrease in the number of species connected to the agricultural landscape. So-called integrated farming practices are currently being introduced that aim to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and to stabilize the numbers of wild flora and fauna. A number of studies have examined the positive influence of integrate and organic farming as modern agricultural practices in a European perspective. The positive impact of these practices is particularly evident in plants and invertebrates studied in Italy, Austria, Germany and the UK, for example. There is little such data from Central and Eastern Europe, however, even as the region has specific environmental conditions due especially to the more moderate impact of agriculture there during the second half of the 20th century In this study, we compared the numbers of herbal and bird species on crop fields and meadows managed with conventional versus integrated systems in Southern and Central Bohemia, the Czech Republic. Our analysis included also the effects of land parcel size, position within these parcels and presence of other habitat elements (ditch, tree, field roads, dunghill, field margins — boundaries, bushes, fallow area) in the vicinity of study plots. We found that herbal communities were significantly more species-rich on lands with integrated farming and similar results were obtained in the case of birds, except there was a non-significant effect of integrated farming on bird species richness in meadows. In addition, the species richness of plants decreased as land parcel size increased. In conclusion, herbal and bird communities were shown to benefit more distinctively from integrated farming in Central Europe, where this effect is not considered unambiguous due to the higher overall habitat heterogeneity and historically lower burdening of farmland with pesticides and fertilizers. The results support the idea that it makes sense even here to introduce integrated forms of agricultural practice.
Why knot Calidris canutus take medium-sized Macoma balthica when six prey species are available

We quantified the prey selection and intake rate of a wading bird, knot Calidris canutus, when 6 different, intertidal prey species, the mud snail Peringia ulvae and the bivalves Macoma balthica, Cerastoderma edule, Mya arenaria, Scrobicularia plana and Mytilus edulis, were abundant. Knot usually search for food by randomly probing into the mud. Prey selection may be described by 5 rules: (1) Prey are not ingestible by knot if the circumference is more than 30 mm. (2) Prey are not accessible to knot when they lie buried deeper than 2 to 3 cm. (3) The probability of a prey organism being detected depends on its surface area, measured in the horizontal plane. (4) Prey are ignored when they are unprofitable, i.e. when the rate of intake while handling the prey is below the current overall average intake rate during feeding. (5) Knot prefer thin-shelled to thick-shelled prey species, possibly because a high inorganic content has an inhibitory effect on the rate at which energy can be extracted from the food. The first rule of ingestion is set by the gape width, and is therefore invariable. The fraction of the prey which is accessible varies according to the probing depth of the bird. The lower size threshold of prey taken is determined by the profitability rule and so varies according to the current feeding rate of knot. Unfortunately for knot, the majority of the preferred thin-shelled prey live out of reach of the bill, whereas the thick-shelled species live at the surface. Medium-sized Macoma balthica is the best compromise available in the 6-species mix.
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF MIMOSA PUDICA ROOT EXTRACTS AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ITS FTIR PROFILE

Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae)is a creeping annual or perennial herb. It is also referred to as touch me not, live and die and humble plant is a prostrate or semi-erect subshrub of tropical America and Australia, also found in India. Root decoction is efficacious in gravel and other urinary complaints. It also treats dysentery, fever, syphilis, leprosy, stomach worms, veneral diseases, insect bite, insomnia, nervousness, and piles. It appears to be a promising herbal candidate to undergo further exploration as evident from its pharmacological profile for its antibacterial, antivenom, antifertility, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac and various other activities. This work is an attempt to explore and compare Mimosapudica root‘s secondary metabolites obtained by Direct extraction method with three different solvents using preliminary screening and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopic techniques.The results revealed maximum number of phytochemicals and functional groups which corresponds toalkaloids, steroids, phenols and glycosides which in turn is responsible for the possible pharmacological property exhibited by the herb.
A guided tour through the antiviral drug field

Approximately 40 compounds have been formally licensed for clinical use as antiviral drugs, with half of these in use for the treatment of HIV infections. The remaining have been approved for use in the therapy of herpes virus (herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus and cytomegalovirus), hepadnavirus, hepacivirus and myxovirus (influenza and respiratory syncytial virus) infections. New compounds are in clinical development or under preclinical evaluation, and again, half of these are intended to target HIV infections. However, quite a number of important viral pathogens (i.e., human papillomavirus, hepatitis C virus and hemorrhagic fever viruses) remain in need of effective and/or improved antiviral therapies.