Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate-forced seasonal mismatch between the hatching of rhinoceros auklets and the availability of anchovy

Predator-prey relationships are key to understanding complex marine ecosystem dynamics. The match-mismatch hypothesis posits that predators time energy-intensive activities, such as reproduction, to periods of high food availability. However, predators may be constrained by various ecological or physiological processes, leading to mistimed activities relative to prey availabil- ity. We investigated inter-annual variation in the timing of breeding for a piscivorous seabird (rhinoc- eros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata) in relation to availability of a preferred prey item, Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus, using data collected over 18 yr between 1984 and 2006 at Teuri Island in the northern Japan Sea. Our primary goals were (1) to identify the climatic factors that affect the seabirds' timing of breeding, proxied by hatching date, and anchovy seasonal availability, and (2) to quantify the fitness effects of predator-prey matches and mismatches relative to climate variability. Hatching date was later in years with lower spring air temperatures. Auklets switched their feeding from sandlance and juvenile greenling to anchovy when it was transported into the birds' foraging range with the seasonal northern expansion of 13°C warm water from the south. The mismatch between hatching date and the period of high anchovy availability was most pronounced when spring air temperatures were warm, and there was a weak Tsushima (warm) Current. Spring air tem- perature was influenced by spring atmospheric pressure gradients in the Arctic and northern Eur- asia, which drive the east Asian winter monsoon, whereas timing of the Tsushima warm water expan- sion was influenced by winter surface pressures over the western North Pacific. Chick growth rates, mass at fledging, and overall fledging success (fitness) were lower during mismatch years when the auklets fed less on anchovy. The auklets were constrained to adjust hatching date because the sea- sonal mismatch appeared to be driven by independent and unpredictable surface pressure patterns.
Value of the conventional liver function tests in the assessment of hepatic reserve

Objective To study the risk factors of post-hepatectomy hepatic decompensation (PHD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Method We reviewed 562 patients with Child-Pugh A classification,who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma at Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University between July 1st 2007 to December 31st 2007,to study the risk factors of hepatic decompensation.Results Preoperative high total bilirubin (TB) and low prealbumin (PA) were independent risk factors of PHD by logistic multivariate analysis ROC analysis revealed the cut-offs of preoperative PA predicting PHD were 0.14 g/L (sensitivity 41.4％; specificity 83.1％). The incidence of PHD was 16.0％ when TB≥20.4 μmol/L and PA＜0.14 g/L(OR=7.276,P=0.002). Conclusion The Child-Pugh A patients recovered well when the preoperative liver function was as follows:TB＜20.4 μmol/L and PA≥0.14 g/L. Key words: Prealbumin; Hepatic reserve; Hepatic decompensation; Liver failure
Phytochemical screening and histopathological effects of single acute dose administration of Artemisia annua L. on testes and ovaries of Wistar rats

Artemisia annua L. is a medicinal plant whose derivatives are used in the treatment of malaria. Phytochemical screening and histopathological effects of single acute intraperitoneal dose of the alcoholic extract of A. annua, were investigated in Wistar rats in this study. Thirty five adult albino Wistar rats (109 - 307 g) of both sexes used for the study were randomly assigned on the basis of weight and litter origin into seven study groups of five rats per group. The control (group A) was administered placebo (2 ml of pure olive oil) while test groups B to G received single graded doses of 0.18, 0.35, 0.52, 0.70, 0.86 and 1.05 g/kg body weight of extract in olive oil vehicle, respectively. Twenty four hours after the single acute dose administration, animals were sacrificed and testes and ovary tissues obtained for histological evaluation using standard methods. Results of phytochemistry of the alcoholic extract assessed by standard methods identified the presence of alkaloids, glycosides (presence of these in A. annua is questionable), flavonoids, reducing compounds and polyphenols present in different concentrations. Histopathological changes showed adverse lesions on the ovary ranging from atretic-degenerating corpus luteum, with loss of connective substance, arrest of ovarian follicle maturation to complete absence of ovarian follicle. No adverse histopathological changes were observed in the testes. The result suggests arrest of ovulation and a predisposition to infertility (add in the female animals). The possible roles of phytoestrogenic constituents in the favonoid fraction of the phytochemicals are discussed.
Ecology of the Himalayan Newt ( Tylototriton verrucosus ) in Darjeeling Himalayas, India

In Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, Tylototriton verrucosus was found in 10 localities. It lives in rice fields, tea gardens, meadows underlying the shores of pools, at the edge of woods. Reproduction in March – May (sometimes up to September). Female parental care and tendency to terrestrial breeding were observed. Metamorphosis is commonly in August – October, but sometimes the larvae overwinter. This might be the result of a prolonged reproductive period. The age of animals was determined by counting annual layers in phalange transverse sections. The age of sexual maturation is supposed to be 3 – 5 (mostly 4) years. Maximum age estimated 11 years old. The duration of hibernation is 4 – 5 months. The larvae prey mainly upon small crustaceans and aquatic insects, aquatic adults prey on insects, earthworms, amphibian ova and larvae. Data on natural enemies and parasites are presented. Conservation problems are discussed.
Effect of Glomus mosseae on concentrations of rosmarinic and caffeic acids and essential oil compounds in basil inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici

This study investigated the potential of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae to protect basil (Ocimum basilicum) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici (Fob). It was hypothesised that G. mosseae could confer a bioprotective effect against Fob as a result of increases in leaf rosmarinic (RA) and caffeic acids (CA) or essential oil concentrations. Glomus mosseae conferred a bioprotective effect against Fob by reducing plant mortality to 20% compared to 33% in non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants. This bioprotective effect was not related to improved phosphorus (P) nutrition, as AM and NM plants treated with Fob had similar shoot P concentrations (6 and 8 mg g−1 dry weight (DW), respectively). Both AM and NM plants treated with Fob had similar leaf and root RA and CA concentrations. Furthermore, phenolic (40–70 mg CA g−1 DW) or essential oil concentrations (0·1–0·6 mg g−1 DW) were not increased in plants treated with the AM fungus and Fob. Therefore, the bioprotective effect conferred by G. mosseae was not a result of increases in the phytochemicals tested in this study. However, under the AM symbiosis, basil plants treated with Fob had lower methyleugenol concentrations in their leaves (0·1 mg g−1 DW) than NM plants treated with the pathogen (0·6 mg g−1 DW).
The effect of average daily gain and age at first calving on reproductive and milk production traits of Brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian cattle.

BAYRAM, B. , M. YANAR and O. AKBULUT, 2009. The effect of average daily gain and age at first calving on reproductive and milk production traits of �%rown Swiss and Holstein Friesian cattle. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 15: 453-462 The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of average daily gain and age at first calving on the reproductive and milk production traits of Brown Swiss (BS) aQd Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle. For this purpose, daily gains and ages at first calving were divided into two groups which were below the average called as the “slow” or “early” groups and above the average named as “moderate” or “late” groups respectively. BS heifers in the moderate group reached the first insemination age and first calving age 103.7 and 101.7 days earlier (P<0.01) than these in the slow group respectively. The corresponding values for HF heifers were 37.8 and 29.5 days respectively and were not significant. While the average daily gain had negative effects on reproduction traits following the first calving, the daily gain of BS had no effect on the milk production traits in all parities. HF heifers in the moderate group had higher (P<0.05) actual (585 kg) and 305 days milk yield (324 kg) in the second parity. Early calving in both breeds resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the actual and 305-days milk yield in the first parity. Early calving caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the actual milk yield, 305-days milk yield, actual milk fat and 305-days milk fat yield of BS cows in the first parity. Either early or late calving in BS didn’t affect on milk traits in second and third parities. The early calving in HF lowered significantly (P<0.05) the actual and 305-days milk yield in first lactation. However, late calving in HF resulted in lower actual milk yield, 305-days milk yield, actual milk fat yield and 305-days milk fat yield in third parity.
COMBINING ABILITY FOR GRAIN YIELD AND OTHER YIELD COMPONENT TRAITS USING HALF DIALLEL CROSSES OF MAIZE INBRED LINES

Combining ability analysis of cultivars is important to exploit the relevant type of gene action for breeding program. A Half diallel crosses were made among eight parental lines, to produce 28 F1 hybrids. These hybrids along with the check commercial cross SC 10 were planted at two locations (Sakha and Ismailia Agric. Res. Stns.) to estimate general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities, type of gene action, and their interactions with locations. The study would show the relative magnitudes of GCA for grain yield and yield component traits (YCTs) and determine the best yielding crosses which could be used in the maize breeding programs. A randomized complete blocks design with four replications was used at each location. General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variances were estimated for all studied traits according to Griffing , s (1956) Method-4, Model-I. There were differences between the two locations (Loc) were significant in the performances of all studied traits, i.e., grain yield (GY), ear length (EL), ear diameter (ED), no of ears 100 plant -1 (EP -1 ), silking date (SD), plant height (PH), ear height (EH) and ear position% (Epos%) at both locations, indicating that these locations differed in their environmental conditions. Evaluation o GCA and SCA indicated that both additive and non additive gene actions were important in controlling all studied traits except for additive gene action for RE -1 trait. In general, the additive gene action seemed to be more important than the non additive gene action in the expression of GY, ED, EP -1 , SD, PH and Epos%, while, the non additive gene action was more important in the inheritance of EL, RE -1 and EH traits. The parental inbred lines P1 and P3 had the highest significant positive GCA effects (desirable) for GY, EL and EP -1 . The same lines had negative and significant GCA effects (desirable) for silking date toward earliness and ear position%. The inbred lines P2 and P5 had negative and significant GCA effects (desirable) for plant height toward shorter plants. Cross with high SCA effects usually comes from two parents possessing high GCA or from one with good GCA and other with poor GCA effects. Desirable SCA effects were obtained for GY between good and poor GCA parents in the crosses (P1 x P3), (P1 x P4), (P1 x P5), (P2 x P7), (P3 x P4), (P3 x P7) and (P6 x P8). Three crosses; P1 x P4 (35.64 ard/fed.), P1 x P5 (34.94 ard/ed.) and P3 x P7 (36.41 ard/fed.) were significantly superior than the check SC 10 (29.01 ard/fed) and the increasing percentage for grain yield relative to the check ranged from 20.44% to 25.51%. These single crosses can be recommended in maize breeding and production program for release as new commercial hybrids.
Protective effect of betaine on changes in the levels of protein, glycoproteins and amino acids in isoprenaline- induced myocardial infarction in rats

The protective effect of betaine administration on changes in the levels of protein, glycoproteins and amino acids was studied in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats as an animal model of myocardial infarction in man. Oral pre-treatment with betaine significantly (P<0.05) attenuated the isoprenaline-induced rise in the levels of troponin-T and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Oral supplementation of betaine also significantly (P<0.05) counteracted the isoprenaline-induced alterations in the levels of amino acids (taurine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, hydroxy proline and homocysteine), protein content, glycoprotein components (hexose and hexosamine) and lipid peroxidation in the heart tissue and maintained their levels comparable to that of control animals. The results indicated that the overall cardioprotective effect of betaine was probably related to its ability to strengthen the myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing action or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant property.
Defoliation tolerance affects the spatial and temporal distributions of larch sawfly and natural enemy populations

Abstract. 1 The monophagous larch sawfly, Pristiphora erichsonii, requires larch, Larix spp. , shoots for oviposition and foliage for larval development. The hypothesis that chronic defoliation reduces shoot availability for adult females, causing shifts in host use within plantations of L. decidua and L. leptolepis, was evaluated over a 3‐year period. 2 Larch productivity and sawfly abundance varied six‐ to 10‐fold among individual trees within each plantation. Sawflies concentrated oviposition on the most rapidly growing trees, and had a marginal impact on shoot production. Consequently, sawfly herbivory on individual trees remained relatively constant for 3 years, failing to support the hypothesis that P. erichsonii defoliation causes shifts in host use. 3 Pristiphora erichsonii larval performance varied 20–30% among individual host trees. The oviposition event did not significantly affect larval performance or foliar nutrient content. 4 The relationship between cocoon survival and natural enemy abundance was evaluated among fifteen L. leptolepis trees. Parasites and predators killed over 65% of the 18 315 cocoons sampled. The proportion of cocoons killed by parasitoids declined significantly with P. erichsonii density, while predation rates increased under heavily infested trees. Overall, the proportion of cocoons killed by parasitoids and predators did not vary with sawfly density. 5 Results indicate that components of host vigour, herbivore performance and natural enemy guilds exhibit substantial spatial heterogeneity among trees within plantations of exotic Larix trees. Moreover, individual larch can tolerate repeated oviposition and herbivory without a rapid loss in shoot production. The potential for host plant physiological tolerance to herbivory to interact with natural enemy population dynamics and behaviour so as to stabilize herbivore population patterns is discussed.
Growth and guaiacol production of species of Alicyclobacillus isolated from the South African fruit processing environment

Bacteria belonging to the genus Alicyclobacillus are thermo-acidophilic spore-formers that are able to spoil acidic food and beverage products through the production of guaiacol and other taint compounds, which causes a medicinal off-flavour and/or odour in the products. This thesis reports on the comparison of methods used for the isolation of species of Alicyclobacillus, as well as the growth behaviour and guaiacol production of different strains isolated from the South African fruit processing environment. Two methods for guaiacol detection were also evaluated and compared. Three isolation methods frequently used by South African fruit processors were compared with regards to their ability to isolate a strain of A. acidoterrestris from diluted peach juice concentrate. Method 1, the International Federation of Fruit Juice Producers (IFU) Method No. 12, makes use of spread plating onto Bacillus acidoterrestris (BAT) agar plates; Method 2 involves pour plating using acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA); and Method 3 makes use of membrane filtration and incubation of the membrane on K agar. The IFU Method No. 12 was the most effective method for the isolation of A. acidoterrestris, with a recovery of 75.97%. These results support the use of the IFU Method No. 12 as a standard international method for the isolation and detection of species of Alicyclobacillus. Seven strains of Alicyclobacillus, including the type strains A. acidoterrestris DSM 3922 and A. acidocaldarius DSM 446 and five strains isolated from a South African fruit processing plant, A. acidoterrestris FB2, FB14, FB32, FB38 and A. acidocaldarius FB19, were analysed based on their growth characteristics and guaiacol production under optimum conditions. Strains were inoculated into BAT medium at pH 4.00, supplemented with 100 mg.L vanillin, and incubated at 45°C for 7 d. All the strains had similar growth patterns, with cell concentrations increasing rapidly from 0-24 h, followed by a stabilisation around maximum cell concentrations of 10-10 cfu.mL. Cell concentrations after heat shock, measured as an indication of spore formation, increased to maximum values of 10-10 cfu.mL, indicating an increase in spores as the cell density and competition for resources increased. All the strains were able to produce guaiacol in detectable concentrations [as measured by the peroxidase enzyme colourimetric assay (PECA)], and, therefore, possess the potential to cause product spoilage.
Effect of Time Constraind Induced Therapy on Function, Coordination and Movements of Upper Limb on Hemiplegic Adults

Results: the results of Fugl-Meyer & Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test were significantly improved in patients, after the intervention(p<0.0 5). Discussion: our study shows that using CIT in involved limb encouraged the patients to use their involved limb and improved function by conquering learned non-use of the limb. more research is necessary to define baselines or golden times for rehabilitation of the patients using CIT method.
GENETIC STUDIES ON YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SOME BARLEY CROSSES

Grain yield and its components and some growth attributes were studied at Sakha Agriculture Research Station during the three successive seasons 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, to determine the type of gene effects by using the six populations (P1, P2 , F1 , F2, BC 1 and BC2) of five barley crosses, namely: cross 1 (Giza 121 × Line 1); cross 2 (Giza 121 × Line 2); cross 3 (Giza 126 × Line 1), cross 4 (Giza 126 × Line 1) and cross 5 (Line 1× Line 2). Generation means were significantly different for all studied traits in all crosses; the mean for F1 values exceeded the mid parent for all studied traits in the five crosses for days to heading and days to maturity, were earlier than the mid-parent, indicating partial dominance. The F2 values were approximately equal to the mid parent values and less than the F1 mean values, indicating that inbreeding depression has occurred. BC1 and BC2 mean values varied according to the trait itself, it was in the direction of their respective recurrent parents for the studied characters with some exceptions. Results, in general indicated presence of non-allelic interaction for all studied traits in all crosses under study; the additive effect was more important and greater than the dominance effect for most traits. Among the epistatic components, dominance × dominance was greater in the magnitudes than additive × additive and additive × dominance in the most studied traits. Positive heterotic effects relative to the mid-parent were found for most of the traits in the five crosses, except for heading and maturity dates that showed negative heterotic effects. Also positive heterotic effects relative to the better parent were found for the most of crosses. Heritability estimates in narrow sense were low to moderate for the studied characters in all crosses, ranged from 16.37% for spike length in the fifth cross to 66%for days to heading in the second cross. The predicted genetic advance was low to moderate in all studied traits. The crosses Giza 121 × line 1, Giza 126 × line 1 and line 1 × line 2 would be of interest in a breeding program, for improving characters of earliness, yield and its components.
Tick Abundance and Levels of Infestation on Cattle in Response to Patch Burning

Abstract Patch burning (PB) uses frequent, spatially discrete fires throughout a pasture to create variation in the composition and structure of the plant community. The complex vegetation changes incurred from this type of burning regimen in addition to the focal grazing of cattle induced by PB should reduce tick populations by creating less favorable microhabitats. To determine if a reduction in tick populations occurred on PB pastures, three PB-treated pastures and three control pastures were used. PB pastures were divided into six subplots with one burned rotationally each spring and summer. Control pastures and each PB subplot had a burn interval of 3 yr. Pastures were dragged with 1-m2 flannel cloth panels to estimate tick abundance for 4 yr. (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010). Infestation levels with ticks (i.e., tick burden) and weight for five calves and three cows per pasture were recorded once a month from April to October in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Differences in tick abundance between PB pastures and control pastures were not significant except in 2006 when fewer adult ticks were detected in PB pastures. A total of 13 609 ticks were observed on cattle. Animals on PB pastures had 4 028 (29.6%) ticks whereas 9 581 (70.4%) ticks were on cattle from control pastures. Tick burden was significantly reduced on animals in PB pastures compared to animals in control pastures in 4 out of 6 mo. Significant differences in average daily weight gain of calves in PB and control pastures were not detected. Although differences were not detected in questing tick abundance on pastures, significant reductions of tick burden on cattle in PB-treated pastures indicates that PB can be used to help control ticks in pastures.
PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION OF SOYBEAN IN THE NIGERIAN SAVANNA

SUMMARY Soybean (Glycine max) is a major cash crop in the savannas of Nigeria although productivity is typically constrained by poor soil fertility. The objective of this research was to determine the interactive effect of N and P on soybean productivity in the northern Guinea and Sudan savannas of northeast Nigeria. Experiments were conducted using locally adapted early and late maturing cultivars. Two rates of N and three rates of P fertilizer were also compared at both sites over two years. At both sites, pods plant−1 and seed yield were higher in 2006 than in 2007, possibly due to better rainfall distribution in 2006. Nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effect on seed yield or pods plant−1. Application of P fertilizer increased pods plant−1 by 40–66%. Averaged across site and year, seed yield with no P was 1057.2 kg ha−1 while yield with 20 and 40 kg ha−1 P were 1941.0 kg ha−1 and 2371.5 kg ha−1, respectively. No significant interaction effect between N and P fertilizer on seed yield and pods plant−1 was observed. The late maturing cultivar yielded less than the earlier maturity group cultivar in 2007 likely due to moisture stress. For optimum seed yield 40 kg of P fertilizer ha−1 is recommended for soybean production in both locations. Our results suggest that N fertilizer is not critical for soybean production in this area.