Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations in sludge effects on selected properties of four soil types and vegetable yield

This study investigated the degree of modification of selected properties of soils in a semi-arid environment as a result of sludge application, in an endeavour to understand variations in percentage improvement with sludge application rate (SAR). Sludge was applied to a calcic luvisol (luvisol 1), a ferric luvisol (luvisol 2) an arenosol, and a vertisol at different rates and after three months, each soil-sludge mixture tested. Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) was then planted to test sludge effects on spinach yield. Addition of sludge reduced the pH of luvisol 1, luvisol 2, arenosol and vertisol by an average of 0.8, 1.1, 0.4 and 1.0 pH units, respectively. Mean concentrations of phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, and plant available nitrogen were highest in luvisol 1 (91.1 mg/kg), vertisol (2.3%), and vertisol (718.3 mg/kg) respectively. Concentrations of all plant nutrients increased with SAR in all soils. Percentage increase however varied, being highest in the luvisols at lower SAR, and shifting to the arenosol as SAR increased. Highest spinach yield was obtained from luvisol 2 with mean values of 49.2 gm, 19.7 gm and 179.7 cm2 for fresh biomass, dry biomass and leaf area of spinach respectively. Spinach grown on the sludge-amended vertisol had the highest correlation coefficients between leaf area (LA) and SAR (0.92), fresh biomass (FBM) and SAR (0.90) and dry biomass (DBM) and SAR (0.95). Possible causes of the observed differences in sludge effects on the different soil properties are discussed. Key words: Arenosol, vertisol, luvisol, plant nutrients, sludge application rate.
Evaluation of the efficacy of sequential or continuous administration of probiotics and phytogenics in broiler diets

Three dietary combinations of probiotics and phytogenics administered sequentially or continuously were assessed for their effects on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, caecal microbiota composition, volatile fatty acid (VFA) pattern and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC). One-day-old Cobb male broilers (n = 525) were allocated to five experimental treatments for 42 days. Each treatment had three replicates of 35 broilers each. Depending on the time-frame of sequential or continuous addition in the basal diet (BD) of the probiotics (108 CFU/kg BD) and phytogenics (125 mg/kg BD), experimental treatments were: control (no additions, Days 1–42); PE1, probiotic Days 1–14 and phytogenic Days 15–42; PE2, probiotic Days 1–28 and phytogenic Days 29–42; PE3, probiotic and phytogenic continuously (Days 1–42); and A (2.5 mg avilamycin/kg diet, Days 1–42). There was no loss of probiotic viability upon mixing with the phytogenic for up to 7 days. Overall bodyweight gain was higher (P = 0.025) in the control and PE1 than PE2 and PE3, whereas Treatment A was intermediate and not different from the rest. Overall feed intake in the control was the highest (P = 0.003). Treatments PE1, PE2 and PE3 had better (P = 0.004) overall feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control. The FCR in PE1 and PE3 did not differ from A, which had the best FCR. Mortality did not differ among treatments. Nutrient digestibility and caecal microbiota composition did not differ among treatments. However, differences (P ≤ 0.05) in caecal VFA pattern were noted, with the control having the lowest acetate molar ratio as well as the highest sum of valeric, hexanoic and heptanoic acids. Plasma TAC in the control was lower than in PE3, PE1 and PE2 at Day 14 (P < 0.001) and PE1 (P = 0.003) at Day 42. The concept of sequential or throughout probiotic and phytogenic administration showed promising results regarding feed efficiency and plasma TAC.
The estimation of heritability, association and selection criteria for yield components in mustard (Brassica juncea)

The present investigations were planned to determine the best selection criteria for yield improvement in mustard (Brassica juncea). Ten genotypes of Brassica juncea were sown in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications at Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad during the years 2006 and 2007. At phenotypic level, seed yield per plant had significant positive correlation with oil %age while highly significant positive correlation with plant height and silique length. The genetic correlation was positive and highly significant with plant height, branches per plant, silique length, weight of 1000 seed and oil %age. A positive and highly significant genetic relationship was found between plant height and branches per plant, silique length and seeds per silique, oil %age and 1000 seed weight. Path coefficient revealed that the plant height and silique length had direct positive contribution towards seed yield per plant because these traits possessed high hB.S , significant positive correlation and maximum positive direct effects with yield.
Bionomics and population growth statistics of apterous virginoparae of woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum, at constant temperatures

Development, survival, reproduction and population growth statistics of apterous virginoparae of woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at constant temperatures of 10, 13, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 32 °C are reported. The developmental times of all life stages were inversely related to temperature ranging from 10 to 30 °C. Span of total development (time from birth to adulthood) decreased from 57.8 days at 10 °C to 11.7 days at 30 °C and increased to 16.8 days at 32 °C. A good linear model fit (R2 > 0.96) between developmental rate and temperature in the range 10–25 °C was observed for all life stages. The lower developmental threshold was estimated at 5.8 °C for instar I, 4.8 °C for instar II, 4.9° for instar III and 4.4 °C for instar IV. The lower temperature threshold for total development was estimated at 5.2 °C. The upper developmental limit was found to be 32 °C. Mean degree‐day accumulations required for completion of instars I, II, III, IV and total development were: 125.6, 51.0, 47.7, 50.7 and 267.6, respectively. Fecundity, larviposition period and adult longevity were reduced with increasing temperature. Net reproductive rate was greatest at 15 °C whereas intrinsic rate of increase peaked at 25 °C. Optimal performance, as measured by fecundity, survival and intrinsic rate of increase, ocurred in the range 13–25 °C.
Nutritional study of new variety of groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.) JL-24 seeds

Proximate composition, anti-nutritional and nutritional value of seeds of new variety of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) JL-24 was determined. The result showed that the groundnut seed contain moisture (5.529%), crude fibre (1.149%), lipid (46.224%), crude protein (25.20%), carbohydrate (21.26%), ash (2.577%), calcium (0.087%), phosphorus (0.29%) and energy (601.856%). The total fatty acid composition was 10.44 and 33.51% for saturated and unsaturated fatty acid, respectively. The protein solubility at different pH ranging from 0.5 to 13.5, the maximum seeds proteins were extracted at pH 12. The serine has not been reported in the seed protein and the seed was found to contain highest amount of proline (6.412%). The anti-nutritional analysis shows that cyanide content 4.818 HCN/100g, tannin 0.412 g/100g, oxalate 0.180 g/100g and haemagglutinin activity for goat blood group is 1:8 and no haemagglutinin activity for chicken and human blood group, and no trypsin inhibition was found. The nutritive values were determined in terms of feed utilization 6.552%, nitrogen utilization 0.2957%, protein efficiency ratio (PER) (+) 1.368% and feed efficiency ratio (FPR) (+) 0.345%. The knowledge of this study could be utilized for various food preparation and selection for breeding purpose. Key word: Arachis hypogaea JL-24, chemical composition, nutritional and anti-nutritional composition.
Characterizing the Relative Spatial Structure of Point Patterns

We generalize Ripley's K function to get a new function, M, to characterize the spatial structure of a point pattern relatively to another one. We show that this new approach is pertinent in ecology when space is not homogenous and the size of objects matters. We present how to use the function and test the data against the null hypothesis of independence between points. In a tropical tree data set we detect intraspecific aggregation and interspecific competition.
Golgi apparatus partitioning during cell division (Review)

This review discusses the mitotic segregation of the Golgi apparatus. The results from classical biochemical and morphological studies have suggested that in mammalian cells this organelle remains distinct during mitosis, although highly fragmented through the formation of mitotic Golgi clusters of small tubules and vesicles. Shedding of free Golgi-derived vesicles would consume Golgi clusters and disperse this organelle throughout the cytoplasm. Vesicles could be partitioned in a stochastic and passive way between the two daughter cells and act as a template for the reassembly of this key organelle. This model has recently been modified by results obtained using GFP- or HRP-tagged Golgi resident enzymes, live cell imaging and electron microscopy. Results obtained with these techniques show that the mitotic Golgi clusters are stable entities throughout mitosis that partition in a microtubule spindle-dependent fashion. Furthermore, a newer model proposes that at the onset of mitosis, the Golgi apparatus completely loses its identity and is reabsorbed into the endoplasmic reticulum. This suggests that the partitioning of the Golgi apparatus is entirely dependent on the partitioning of the endoplasmic reticulum. We critically discuss both models and summarize what is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the Golgi disassembly and reassembly during and after mitosis. We will also review how the study of the Golgi apparatus during mitosis in other organisms can answer current questions and perhaps reveal novel mechanisms.
PROPAGAÇÃO DO ABACATEIRO ( Persea sp. ) POR ESTAQUIA E MERGULHIA

Vegetative propagation is a common practice in fruit farming, since it allows orchards to be formed with genetically identical plants and uniform production. In Brazil, however, the avocado tree seedlings are still produced by grafting onto seedlings, producing orchards with non-uniform rootstocks, and susceptible to the soil pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, that causes gomosis. This study aimed at testing avocado tree propagation methods for green cuttings, made in six different ways; etiolated cuttings in 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm high pots, and stool latering of etiolated buds submitted to ringing of the rind, lesion, and/or application of IBA. The experiments were performed in an intermittent nebulization chamber in the department of Horticulture and Forestry at the Faculdade de Agronomia/UFRGS(Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul), in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. There was no rooting of the green cuttings in any of the treatments tested, but apical cuttings with two leaves at the base, without applying IBA, had a higher percentage of survival and callus formation. For etiolated cuttings, no effect was observed of the four pot heights tested in survival, on the number of leaves developed, on height and diameter of the seedlings formed. There was also no difference between the two forms of ringing (removal of a ring of rind and strangling the rind with a wire). As to the experiment with stool layering, the etiolation procedures in a dark chamber, lesion at the base of the bud and applying 5.000 mg.L of IBA, with or without strangling the rind, provided higher rates of survival up to 120 days and taller seedlings. Based on the results obtained, the importance of etiolation and the presence of green mature leaves are highlighted for success in the vegetative propagation of avocado tree cultivars. _______________________________________________________________ 1. Master’s Dissertation in Phytotechny, Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. (85 p.) – March 2008.
Molecular docking studies towards development of novel Gly-Phe analogs for potential inhibition of Cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I)

Cathepsin C is a cysteine protease required for activation of various pro-inflammatory serine proteases and, essentially, is of interest as a therapeutic target. Cathepsin C coordinate system was employed as a model to study the interaction of some already available inhibitors of Cathepsin C. Compounds containing Gly-Phe fragment with functional groups at its ends were designed by knowledge based approach. Using AutoDock and Discovery Studio Client 3.1 software packages, binding energy of different conformations and ten scoring functions (LigScore1, LigScore2, PLP1, PLP2, JAIN, PMF, PMF04, LUDI_1, LUDI_2 and LUDI_3) were calculated for newly designed compounds. These docking studies revealed favorable energy scores which also helps to understand interaction of ligands with enzyme.
Comparison of structural and functional approaches to determining landuse effects on grassland stream invertebrate communities

Abstract Effective catchment management in the face of landuse alteration depends on our ability to quantify ecologically significant changes and to discriminate among varying levels of impact. We compared the efficiency of traditional structural indices of change (species composition) with functional measures based on species traits (including life-history, trophic, and morphological features) in an analysis of grassland streams along a gradient of agricultural development (ungrazed native tussock, grazed tussock, extensively grazed pasture, and intensive dairy and deer farming). Streams were categorized in relation to overall agricultural intensity, and separately in terms of increasing nutrient concentrations and fine sediments on the streambed. Only 5 of 60 individual species demonstrated a significant separation across the landuse gradient, whereas 14 of 53 trait categories did so. Traits associated with population resilience (short generation time, asexual reproduction) became more prevalent with more intense agricultural pressure, reflecting predicted increases in intensity and frequency of stream disturbance. We observed a shift away from a tendency to lay unattached eggs at the water surface of the stream, reflecting the increasing likelihood of smothering by sediment, as well as increases in highly flexible and streamlined body shapes. Principal components and correspondence analyses involving species or trait composition all were able to discriminate landuse practises, but more of the overall between-landuse variance was accounted for by trait composition than species composition. All biological measures (species or trait composition) were correlated with both nutrient concentrations and sedimentation. Nutrient concentrations were better related to species and trait-category densities, whereas sedimentation was related to trait-category relative abundances. Overall, species traits successfully complemented traditional structural measures by helping to differentiate the consequences of landuse intensification in grassland stream communities. Rather than simply recording a loss or reduction of species, our functional approach was able to identify sensitive life-history characteristics linked to the functioning of ecosystems, thereby facilitating the development of targeted management actions.
Can Yoga Therapy Help to Decrease Osteoarthritis-related Pain in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis?

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga therapy can help to decrease osteoarthritis-related pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis. Study Design: A review of two randomized controlled trials and one randomized control trial pilot study that were published in English in peer-reviewed journals after 2007. Data Sources: All articles were selected from peer-reviewed journals and found via PubMed. Outcome(s) Measured: Patient perception of pain using either a Walking Numerical Rating Scale (WNRS) and/or a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index scale (WOMAC). Results: All three studies found a significant decrease in pain levels among patients participating in a hatha yoga intervention as compared with those participating in alternate therapeutic programs and/or controls. In Ebnezar et al. the mean walking pain score after 90 days of yoga therapy reduced 64.88% from baseline (P<0.001), while the control group reduced 41.98% (P<0.001). The Cheung et al. 2017 study reported a decrease in WOMAC pain scores by 2.8 points as compared with a reduction of 1.2 amongst an Aerobics and Strengthening Exercise program group and an increase of 0.2 amongst an education control group (P<0.05). They also reported a significant difference in both WOMAC and visual analog pain score means adjusted for baseline at 8 weeks between the yoga and ASE interventions and between the yoga and control groups. The Cheung et al. 2014 RCT also found found a significantly lower (pvalue=0.01) mean self-reported WOMAC pain score in the yoga group as compared to a wait-list control group at 8 weeks. Conclusions: The results of all three RCTs reviewed provides evidence that regular hatha yoga practice can reduce patient’s perception of knee osteoarthritis-related pain while actively engaged in a yoga program.
Chemosensory Recognition and Behavioral Responses of Wall Lizards, Podarcis muralis, to Scents of Snakes that Pose Different Risks of Predation

Abstract Many animals use chemical cues to detect predators. However, according to the threat sensitivity hypothesis, natural selection should favor individuals able to respond differentially to the chemical cues of predators that pose different levels of risk rather than responding to chemical cues of all predators in a similar way. The behavioral responses of prey to chemical cues of predators might depend, for example, on the degree to which predators include prey in their diets. The Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) is under high predation pressure by saurophagous-specialist Smooth Snakes (Coronella austriaca). Wall Lizards are also an important part of the diet of the Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) and occasional prey of the Ladder Snake (Elaphe scalaris). Also, Wall Lizards are sympatric with the non-saurophagous Viperine Snake (Natrix maura). In the laboratory, we compared the tongue-flick rates and behavioral patterns of Wall Lizards in response to exposure to chemical signals of these four snake species that pose different risks of predation. Results suggested that Wall Lizards were able to discriminate the chemical cues of the predatory snakes from the non-saurophagous snake. However, lizards did not respond differentially to chemical cues of different predatory snakes. We suggest that other additional cues are probably needed to elicit an adequate, specific defensive response.
Space use of a reintroduced population of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in a protected natural area

In Europe, wild ungulates have undergone major expansion and population growth during recent decades. In certain cases, the high density achieved by these populations has led to excessive pressure on the environment, which eventually becomes a limiting factor for the population itself. One of these reintroductions was performed with the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica Schinz, 1838) in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park (Spain). This reintroduced population was monitored during six field seasons (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2014) by direct observation of the animals along transects using the distance sampling method to determine the degree of expansion over the years and the use of different habitats according to different seasons. The abundances obtained for each field season showed a significant increase from 4.16 to 8.65 individuals/km, showing a linear relationship between abundance and extent of the area occupied by the species. We observed that differences between habitat availability and use.
A model for the development of Erysiphe necator chasmothecia in vineyards

A temperature-driven, mechanistic model predicting the development of Erysiphe necator chasmothecia in vineyards was developed and validated in 38 vineyards in the Po Valley (northern Italy), Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany), and South Australia between 2005 and 2011. The model, which begins operating when the first ascocarp initials are formed, predicts on a daily basis the proportions of chasmothecia at the yellow, brown and black maturity stage. The initialization date was estimated with an iterative procedure that minimized the residuals of predicted versus observed values. In all vineyards, a drop to more favourable temperatures for ascocarp production over 2–4 days in the week or in the 2 weeks before the model initialization date probably triggered chasmothecia production. Model predictions provided a good fit of observed data (coefficients of determination, model accuracy, efficacy and efficiency were all ≥0·90), with some overestimation. When predicted production of black chasmothecia (on leaves) was compared with observed dispersal of chasmothecia from vines, lack of splashing rain was probably the main cause of overestimation. When observed numbers of yellow, brown or black chasmothecia on leaves were compared with model predictions, removal of the developing chasmothecia by rainfall was probably the main cause of overestimation. Inclusion of the effect of rainfall on the removal of immature and mature chasmothecia from the powdery mildew colonies could improve the model. The model could be used to time the application of fungicides or biocontrol agents for reducing ascocarp formation and reducing primary inoculum in the following season.
An Ethnostatistical Examination of Medical Innovation Network Data Reanalyses

>> Four published reanalyses of part of the celebrated medical innovation data focus on network effects on the diffusion of tetracycline. Each reanalysis rejects the findings of the previous analysis. This article shows that in the early 1950s, when the original data were collected, private practice physicians, swamped by demand, but facing threats to their autonomy from the federal government and from university medical centers, struggled to keep up with new therapies and relied on colleagues and friends within the profession for help and advice. This article examines the reanalyses’ judgment calls concerning the use of a psychophysics power function, the employment of a time-sensitive model, the imputation and exclusion of data, and the addition of new variables. Given the radical undecidability of numerical evidence in the absence of context, the reanalysis of stand-alone data is likely to produce a continuing series of conflicting results.