Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of auxin type on the array of somaclonal variants generated from somatic embryogenesis of eggplant, Solanum melongena L.

Somaclonal variation is a possible source of variation in plant breeding. To apply this approach to eggplant breeding, somaclonal variations were observed among plants regenerated through somatic embryogenesis induced by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Variations including leaf shape, plant height, flower number per cluster, fruit shape, anther number per flower and pollen fertility were compared among 300 plants (R 0 ). Although these variations were confirmed among plants regenerated using both auxins, the frequencies of somaclonal variations in leaf shape, plant height, fruit shape and pollen fertility in the NAA experiment were higher than those in the 2,4-D experiment. Variations in flower number and anther number were also confirmed among plants from both experiments, although no significant differences in their frequency were observed. Subsequently, the inheritance of variations (leaf shape, fruit shape, and flower number) observed in R 0 was investigated from generation to generation (R 1 ). Variations in leaf shape and fruit shape were inherited while those in flower number were not. From these results we concluded that, although a high frequency of somaclonal variations were observed among plants from both methods, embryogenesis with NAA was more efficient than 2,4-D in eggplant.
Multi-Level Climate Governance in Bangladesh via Climate Change Mainstreaming: Lessons for Local Climate Action in Dhaka City

Over the last three decades, Bangladesh has implemented various initiatives to address different climate change impacts. In a multi-level governance arrangement, addressing climate change impacts is often constrained by climate change mainstreaming. In Bangladesh, a crucial question that arises is how mitigation and adaptation efforts are addressed at both national and sub-national levels. This paper examines the integration of climate change issues into national, sectoral, and city development plans with a particular focus on Dhaka using a framework developed based on the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) climate change mainstreaming guidelines for national development processes. The review finds evidence that mainstreaming of climate change is strong in national and sectoral development plans and has been incremental since 2002. However, climate change mainstreaming in Dhaka city development plans is moderate, especially in terms of climate risk and opportunity assessment, institutional arrangement, and capacity building for climate action. To augment existing efforts at mainstreaming at the sub-national level, the paper suggests the need to build sub-national level climate capacity with particular attention to institutional coordination and cooperation among agencies at different levels of development planning and to establish a national financing arrangement that allows sub-national agencies to harness climate finance.
Virulence of Puccinia striiformis on wheat and barley in central Alberta

Abstract Sixty-one field collections of Puccinia striiformis, primarily from central Alberta during 2007–2008, were identified to be P. striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) or P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh) based on virulence on differential seedlings. Wheat differentials separated 38 Pst isolates into 13 pathotypes, with most pathotypes consisting of single isolates. Two pathotypes consisted of two isolates, and three pathotypes were represented by three, seven and 16 isolates. Wheat lines with resistance genes Yr1, Yr5, Yr15 and YrSP were resistant to all 13 pathotypes, while wheat lines with genes Yr10, Yr24 and Yr28 were resistant to 82–92% of the isolates. Differentials YrA, Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr17, Yr26, Yr27, Yr31 and YrCV were susceptible to 71–100% of the isolates. Twenty-three Psh isolates were identified to 15 Psh pathotypes, with virulence on two to eight barley differentials, including ‘Topper’, ‘Hiproly’, ‘Varunda’, ‘Abed Binder 12’, ‘Trumpf’, ‘Mazurka’, ‘Bigo’, ‘I 5’ and ‘Bancroft’ and avirulent on ‘Heils Franken’, ‘Emir’ and ‘Astrix’. Ten pathotypes consisted of a single isolate, four pathotypes had two isolates and one pathotype consisted of five isolates. The possible origin and virulence of P. striiformis pathotypes in central Alberta is discussed in relation to using cultivar resistance for disease control.
Law of the Minimum

upon many of the steep slopes is termed " Fynbosch " and described as a sclerophyllous formation comparable to the chaparral of the United States. It is dominated by shrubs with needle and ericoid leaves, conspicuous among which are the genera Cliffortia (Rosaceae) and Erica, both represented by several species, and a large number of woody Compositae. In its undergrowth, bulbous plants abound. From it BEWS traces a double succession, one to the "bush" or forest, in which Podocarpus spp. and Celtis Kraussiana are the most abundant trees, the other to the mountain veld. The former is clearly leading to the climax type of tree vegetation developing only under the most favorable conditions of soil and exposure; but the succession in the latter instance does not seem clear, for the veld is apparently more xerophytic, although more extensive than the "Fynbosch. "-GEO. D. FULLER.
Phenolic Content, Reducing Power and Membrane Protective Activities of Solanum xanthocarpum Root Extracts

Present study reports the reducing and lipo-protective activities of phytoconstituents present in S. xanthocarpum root. The phytochemicals were sequentially extracted with the solvents with increasing polarity. Differential amount of total phenolic contents was present in various root extracts. Polar fractions accounted for higher phenolics contents. Ethyl alcohol (ET) extract exhibited maximum phenolics content (101.78 ±0.41 mg catechol equivalent/g) followed by ethyl acetate (EA) and aqueous (AQ) extracts (59.55 ±0.25 and 45.32 ±0.33 mg CE/g, respectively). Reducing power and lipo-protective activities were assessed for the determination of antioxidant capacity. Lipo-protective activity was determined by lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPOI) assays in tissue (rat kidney) homogenate. ET, AQ and HX (hexane) fractions demonstrated considerable reducing power at different test concentrations exhibiting dose dependent response in the range 250–1000 μg/ml. Some of the polar extracts produced about 50% protection against lipid peroxidation. Analysis of the data showed positive correlation of reducing power with total phenolic content (r2=0.322) and %LPOI (r2=0.317). The relationship between total phenolics content and %LPOI was also found to be positive (r2=0.539).
Predator-induced escape response in Daphnia

We studied the effects of predator exudates on evasion efficiency in two Daphnia magna clones that differed in their sensitivity to the kairomones. Pre-expo- sure to kairomones significantly increased the chances of survival of sensitive Daphnia when confronted with actively-foraging invertebrate and vertebrate predators, as com- pared to individuals which had not been pre-exposed to predator chemical cues. The induced response is adaptive: predators foraging on a mixture of sensitized and non- sensitized individuals, first removed those which had not been pre-exposed, or were non-sensitive to predator exudates. Predator-induced escape responses, therefore, can be a target for selection.
Does earnings quality instigate financial flexibility? New evidence from emerging economy

Abstract Purpose: This research aims to examine the empirical relationship between earnings quality and financial flexibility, i.e., how information related to earnings affects firms’ cash levels in the emerging economies. Design/Methodology/Approach : To attain the research objectives, we used panel data for 18 years (2000–2017) obtained from the CSMAR database. Statistical software STATA used for data analysis. Descriptive, multiple correlations, and unbalanced panel data analysis are used. Findings Our empirical results negate the works conducted on the advanced economy showing that information related to earnings (Earnings Quality) is negatively associated with firms’ Financial Flexibility irrespective of firms’ characteristics, i.e., firms with profit or loss and firm’s with R&D or without R&D expenditure. However, the firm’s earnings quality, firm size, cash flows, financial constraints, dividends, and growth are the dominant predictor of financial flexibility. Moreover, the degree of dominance depends on the firm’s specific characteristics. Research Limitations/Implications This research has been conducted on the emerging Chinese market. For consistent and robust results, this research excluded the financial and other firms that possess different operational and regulatory attributes than the manufacturing firms. The study is useful for policymakers and managers to design their cash levels and avoid the hurdle of external finance or to accelerate their flexibility to raise money from an external source. Originality/Value Previous research addressed the issue related to cost and benefit, information asymmetry, ownership concentration, and firm’s propensity to cash holdings. A very little research conducted with earnings quality and cash holdings in the developed market (in Europe and the USA), and thus, for the first time, we address the issue of earnings quality and financial flexibility in the emerging economy.
Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of field grown and tissue cultured root callus of mangrove species.

Aim: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity of mangrove species and the development of the callus biomass. Study Design: This is the first comparative evaluation report of field grown root and tissue cultured root callus of mangrove on anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activity. Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum and Excoecaria agallocha were tested in this present investigation. Place and Duration of Study: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India. Between February 2012 and July 2013 Methodology: In order to develop callus biomass, a number of growth hormones were supplemented with the MS medium. Following the callus development, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities were tested with field grown root and its tissue cultured root callus of Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum and Excoecaria agallocha. This was confirmed by different anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. Results: Maximum (89%) root callus biomass was obtained from Acanthus ilicifolius on Original Research Article European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 4(6): , 2014 724 MS medium fortified with 0.3+0.3 mg/L of 2,4-D and KIN. 2,4-D 0.3mg/L and BAP 0.5 mg/L showed the maximum callus from both Calophyllum inophyllum (81%), Excoecaria agallocha (58%). In addition anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effect of root and root callus of these three species were tested. In this study the root callus materials of all the three species showed the best anti-oxidant anti-bacterial activities. Conclusion: The metabolites from mangroves are good remedy for number of health problems especially the enhanced level of metabolites through the tissue culture techniques. The present study confirmed the anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effect of Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum, Excoecaria agallocha n root extract. This study will be a key to develop a new drug to achieve healthy life. especially the root callus materials showed the better activity when compared to the field grow
Maternally inherited male-killing microorganisms may confound interpretation of mitochondrial DNA variability

Abstract Variation in mitochondrial DNA is often used to trace the evolutionary history of populations and species. We here discuss the effect of infection with cytoplasmically inherited male-lethal symbionts on mitochondrial genome evolution. Male-lethal symbionts spread when killing male hosts increases the lifetime reproductive success of sibling female hosts. This increase in the survivorship of daughters from individuals bearing a male-killer will produce a concomitant increase in the frequency of mitotypes associated with the male-killer. If horizontal transmission of the microoorganism is rare and population sizes not very small, then linkage disequilibrium between microorganism and particular mitotypes will result in a reproduction of within-population mitochondrial variability both because of a selective sweep during the spread of such a micro-organism, and also at equilibrium. Male-killing symbionts may thus confound the use of mtDNA variability in estimation of population parameters. We discuss the differences between the effects of male-killers and the cytoplasmic incompatibility-inducing symbiont Wolbachia , and the possibility that estimation of gene flow between populations may also be confounded by symbiont presence.
A Pro22Ser Mutation in NEFL Results in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in a Chinese Family

The purpose of this study was to describe a pedigree with NEFL (c.64C>T, p. Pro22Ser, NM_006158) mutation which results in CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth) disease. This pedigree comprised 10 patients with 6 surviving cases over four generations. The clinical picture was characterized by pes cavus, distal limb weakness and atrophy and a steppage gait. Genetic testing was performed in a total of 12 subjects from this family (including 4 affected and 8 asymptomatic controls) to confirm this mutation. Electrophysiological findings revealed mixed demyelinating and axonal neuropathy. This mutation was well cosegregated with affected members in the autosomal dominant pattern. We have a pair of twins with vastly different phenotypes and genetic backgrounds in this family, giving robust evidence of genotype-phenotype correlation in CMT. A male patient was diagnosed with cancer, giving rise to the consideration of more function of this mutation.
The use and abuse of the ‘model farmer’ approach in agricultural extension in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Purpose: The article examines the implementation and effects of the model farmer-based approach of farmer-to-farmer extension delivery that is in use in Ethiopia. Methodology: The study used mixed methods, combining focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a household survey. Findings: The model farmer approach has increased extension coverage, improved the possibility for information and technology dissemination, and enabled the inclusion of virtually all farming households in extension and advisory networks. Simultaneously, the approach has become a mechanism for the top-down control of farmers, for the identification and favouritism of better-off farmers, and those with political commitments. Practical implications: The findings show that there is a need to critically reflect on who model farmers are, how they are selected, what their historical and current roles and impact have been, as well as follower farmers’ feedback on the approach in order to avoid perpetuating the misuse of the approach. Theoretical implications: The article argues that the Ethiopian context that rewards rapid increase in production and productivity, modernisation of agriculture, competitive commercialisation, and a context that allows the continued entanglement of extension delivery with politics have enabled such misuse of the approach to proliferate. The article questions the extent of applicability of the core farmer-to-farmer extension principles that relate to social ties, reciprocity, collaboration, and minimal social hierarchies in such a context. Originality/value: The study generates important insights about the effects of model farmer-based extension approach, its political dimensions, and the importance of context for successful farmer-to-farmer extension.
Testing the effectiveness of surveying techniques in determining bat community composition within woodland

Abstract Context. Determining the biodiversity of an area is essential for making targeted conservation decisions. Undertaking surveys to confirm species presence or to estimate population sizes can be difficult, particularly for elusive species. Bats are able to detect and avoid traps, making it difficult to quantify abundance. Although acoustic surveys using bat detectors are often used as a surrogate for relative abundance, the implicit assumption that there is a positive correlation between activity levels and abundance is rarely tested. Aims. We assessed the effectiveness of surveying techniques (i.e. trapping and acoustic monitoring) for detecting species presence and tested the strength of collinearity among methods. In addition, we tested whether the use of an acoustic lure (a bat-call synthesiser) increased bat-capture rate and therefore species detectability. Methods. Surveying was carried out over 3 years in central Scotland (UK), in 68 woodlands within predominantly agricultural or urban landscapes. Key results. There was a significant positive relationship between bat activity recorded on ultrasonic detectors and the relative abundance of Pipistrellus pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, but not those in the genus Myotis. In general, acoustic monitoring was more effective than trapping at determining species presence; however, to ensure rarer or quiet species are recorded, a complementary approach is required. Broadcasting four different types of echolocation call resulted in a 2–12-fold increase in trapping success across four species of insectivorous bat found in the study region. Whereas lure effectiveness remained unchanged for female P. pygmaeus over time, there was a marked increase in the number of males captured using the lure throughout the summer (May to September). Conclusions. In the present study, we have demonstrated a variety of ways to increase surveying efficiency, which can maximise the knowledge of diversity in an area, minimise wildlife disturbance, and enhance surveying effectiveness. Implications. Increasing surveying efficiency can improve the accuracy of targeted conservation decisions.
Novel Method for Assessing Moisture Damage in Asphalt Mixtures

Moisture damage is a major cause of early pavement deterioration and often accelerates other distresses such as rutting, fatigue cracking, and raveling. Water infiltrates into the pavement structure through the cracks and air voids and weakens the adhesive bond between the binder and the aggregates as well as the cohesive bond between the binder particles. Several tests have been adopted to test for moisture susceptibility, most commonly the Modified Lottman (AASHTO, T283) and the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (AASHTO, T32404), however, these tests correlate poorly with field results and do not properly replicate the conditions which a pavement structure experiences in the field. Also, the mechanism which determines the mode of failure due to moisture damage, being either adhesive or cohesive, remains largely not understood, and the research tackling this issue is very scarce. The objective of this study is to introduce a new testing procedure based on the pull-off approach and study the factors which influence the mode of failure of the samples, such as the asphalt film thickness and loading rate.
Total phenolics and high-performance liquid chromatography of phenolic acids of avocado

Repartition des phenols totaux (sous forme d'equivalent d'acide gallique) dans les feuilles, les fruits et le noyau de plusieurs varietes d'avocatier. Description d'un protocole d'identification et de dosage des acides phenoliques dans la fraction phenols totaux
Factors Affecting Survival in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Prospective Study at a Tertiary Center

Background: The outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia depends on associated anomalies, degree of pulmonary hypoplasia, and hypertension. We evaluated the postnatal prognostic factors which can be used to predict the outcome.Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary center (Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Complex, Tehran, Iran) during 2013-2019. The predictors of survival were evaluated.Results: A total of 49 infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were born during 2013-2019. The patients’ mean gestational age and weight at birth were 37.51±1.75 weeks and 2871±562 g, respectively. The mortality rate in patients with surgery (n = 41) was 31.3% and eight patients died before surgery. Mortality had significant relationships with five-minute Apgar score, peak inspiratory pressure before and after surgery, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), and pH during first 24 hours after birth (p= 0.01, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively). The predicted and true survival rates in the patients were 66% and 52%, respectively (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Predicting survival rate after birth is remarkable but controversial. This estimate should not affect patient care and should only help parents in the process of decision-making.
Linkage disequilibrium at the cystathionine β synthase (CBS) locus and the association between genetic variation at the CBS locus and plasma levels of homocysteine

Cystathionine β synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism. We have examined four apparently non‐functional polymorphisms in the CBS gene and have determined their frequency, degree of linkage disequilibrium and association with plasma homocysteine levels. The polymorphisms are a 68 bp insertion in exon 8, C699T in exon 8, C1080T in exon 11 and C1985T in the 3′ untranslated region. 785 individuals participating in the European Atherosclerosis Research Study II (EARSII), from 11 countries across Europe were genotyped for these polymorphisms. The 68bp insertion had the highest frequency in the UK and in the Middle region, with a lower frequency in the Baltic and the South (p=0.01), and the exon 11 polymorphism had the highest frequencies of the rare allele in the Baltic (p<0.05). There was a high degree of linkage disequilibrium between the polymorphisms (p<0.001 overall), except between C699T and the C1985T, with three common haplotypes accounting for nearly 80% of chromosomes. Examination of the association between these polymorphisms and plasma homocysteine levels revealed that the carriers of the rare alleles of the C699T, C1080T and C1985T polymorphisms had lower plasma homocysteine concentrations than those homozygous for the common alleles, although these differences were not statistically significant. The thermolabile valine variant caused by a substitution of a C for a T at nucleotide 677 in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has previously been shown to have profound effects on plasma levels of homocysteine in this sample, but the homocysteine‐raising effect associated with this thermolabile variant was not seen in carriers of the 68 bp insertion, with this interaction being statistically significant (p<0.001). These data demonstrate that variation in the CBS gene as detected with these four polymorphisms, had no statistically significant effect on plasma homocysteine levels in these healthy young men. However, the presence of the 68 bp insertion, which is found in approximately 7.5% of individuals in the populations of Europe sampled, abolishes the raising effect of thermolabile MTHFR Val/Val genotype, and may be of importance in the situation of high homocysteine.