Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pearl millet grain for beef cattle in crop-livestock integration system: intake and digestibility

Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros nutricionais (consumo e digestibilidade) de bovinos de corte de dois grupos geneticos, alimentados com suplementos proteico-energeticos formulados a partir de diferentes niveis de substituicao do milho pelo grao de milheto no periodo da seca. Foram utilizados 64 novilhos, nao castrados, com media de idade de 20 meses e o peso corporal medio inicial de 388 ± 26 kg. A area experimental constituiu-se de quatro piquetes de aproximadamente 4,7 ha, formados com Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu em sistema de integracao lavoura e pecuaria. O experimento foi estruturado em esquema fatorial (2x4) distribuido em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, onde foram avaliados dois grupos geneticos (Mesticos e Nelore) e quatro diferentes niveis de grao de milheto (0%, 33%, 66% e 100%) em substituicao ao grao de milho na formulacao dos suplementos. Nao houve efeito tanto para o fator grupo genetico, quanto para os niveis de substituicao do milho pelo grao de milheto e ao consumo de materia seca (MS) total de pasto e dos nutrientes da dieta e para os coeficientes de digestibilidade total dos nutrientes. A concentracao dietetica de materia orgânica digerida nao foi influenciada pelos niveis de grao de milheto com valores de 514,88; 515,76; 516,01 e 515,98 g kg-1 de MS, respectivamente para os niveis 0%, 335, 66% e 100%. O grao de milheto como ingrediente energetico de suplementos concentrados pode ser utilizado como substituto ao grao de milho de forma parcial ou total na dieta de bovinos de corte Nelores ou Mesticos em pastos formados no sistema de integracao lavoura e pecuaria.
Elevational transplantation suggests different responses of African submontane and savanna plants to climate warming

Despite strong climate change in the tropics, little is known about the responses of tropical plants to changing environments. Moreover, while variation in responses to climate change across plant functional groups may help to predict future vegetation dynamics, tropical multi‐species studies are missing. To study plant responses to changes in temperature, we compared the survival, growth and reproduction of 101 herbaceous species originating from the savanna and the submontane vegetation zones in two experimental gardens representing the climate of both zones at Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Additionally, we tested whether plant functional groups, such as annuals and perennials, shade‐tolerant and shade‐intolerant species, grasses and forbs, and natives and exotics differ in their responses to transplantation. We show that the submontane species in the lower Kilimanjaro area clearly prefer the cooler submontane temperature in terms of survival, growth and reproduction, while savanna plants can grow equally well under both, the submontane and the savanna temperature regimes. This suggests that tropical submontane plants will likely face severe challenges with future climate warming and that the upper distributional limit of savanna plants may be due to biotic interactions rather than to climate. Moreover, we found different responses of grasses and forbs, and natives and exotics to transplantation irrespective of their origin, underlining the importance of considering plant functional groups in climate change research. Synthesis. We demonstrate different responses of tropical submontane and savanna plants to experimental temperature variation. Together with the observed differences between important functional plant groups, this leads us to suggest that strong future changes in vegetation composition on African tropical mountains are likely.
Evaluation of the physicochemical parameters and inorganic constituents of honeys from the Amazon region

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical composition and inorganic constituents of seventeen honey samples produced in Amazon region by different bee species (Scaptotrigona sp., Melipona fasciculata, Melipona flavolineata and Apis mellifera). The physicochemical parameters evaluated were pH, acidity, soluble solids, moisture, density, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose and hydroxymethylfurfural. Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Pb and Zn contents were determined in honey samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Na and K contents were measured in honeys by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Honey samples were digested in a microwave oven using diluted nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The analytical results obtained in this study were evaluated by analysis of certified reference material (GBW 07604 Poplar leaves). The results of physicochemical analyzes showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the species, mainly regarding moisture content, acidity, density and soluble solids. In general, the honeys from Scaptotrigona sp. showed the highest levels of minerals (Ca, Cu, K, Mg), being a good source of minerals, as well as presented significant differences (at 5% of significance) in relation to the other studied species. Thus, the results indicate new information about the composition of these honeys and emphasize the need for the implementation of specific legislation for quality assessing of honey from stingless bees.
The Effects of Substitution of Corn Meal from the Concentrate of Plus-Complete Feed with Fermented Cocoa Pod on Growth of the Young Male Bali Cattle

Abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of substitution of corn meal from concentrate of plus-complete feed (PCF) with fermented cocoa pod (FCP) on growth of the young male Bali Cattle. Fifteen young male Bali Cattles were randomly assigned into five groups for the substitutions of corn meal from the PCF by FCP treatments i.e 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % which each group was replicated by three subgroups. The pods were fermented with yeast Aspergillus niger that had been activated by combinations of sugar, urea, NPK fertilizers, and various levels of ZnSO4 and Zn-Cu isoleusinate. The best FCP, that produced NH3 and VFA in in vitro experiment, was used in the study. The results showed that substitutions of corn meal from the PCF by 100% FCP decreased signifikantly (P<0.01) Zn and Cu status, energy and N retention, and body weight gain of the young male Bali Cattles. However, the substitutions of corn meal with 0 %, 25% and 50% FCPs, those values did not decrease significant. Despite of corn meal substitutions of PCF by FCP did not decrease significantly plasma glucose and protein consumption, but substitution by FCP between of 0 % and 25 % did not decrease significantly protein consumption. In conclusion: the substitution of corn meal from the PCF by the FCP at the level up to 50% can be applied without disturbance the growth of the young male Bali Cattle. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of substitution of corn meal from concentrate of plus-complete feed (PCF) with fermented cocoa pod (FCP) on growth of the young male Bali Cattle. Fifteen young male Bali Cattles were randomly assigned into five groups for the substitutions of corn meal from the PCF by FCP treatments i.e 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % which each group was replicated by three subgroups. The pods were fermented with yeast Aspergillus niger that had been activated by combinations of sugar, urea, NPK fertilizers, and various levels of ZnSO4 and Zn-Cu isoleusinate. The best FCP, that produced NH3 and VFA in in vitro experiment, was used in the study. The results showed that substitutions of corn meal from the PCF by 100% FCP decreased signifikantly (P<0.01) Zn and Cu status, energy and N retention, and body weight gain of the young male Bali Cattles. However, the substitutions of corn meal with 0 %, 25% and 50% FCPs, those values did not decrease significant. Despite of corn meal substitutions of PCF by FCP did not decrease significantly plasma glucose and protein consumption, but substitution by FCP between of 0 % and 25 % did not decrease significantly protein consumption. In conclusion: the substitution of corn meal from the PCF by the FCP at the level up to 50% can be applied without disturbance the growth of the young male Bali Cattle.
Anémie infectieuse équine chez les chevaux sauvages au Pantanal, Brésil

The Pantanal is a large wetland with an area of 140,000 km2, located in the center of South America. In the Pantanal some very large ranches (usually over 40,000 ha) have populations of wild horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in a population of wild horses in an EIA-endemic region. In this study seropositivity to EIA was 5.6% in wild horses and 34.1% in domestic horses belonging to the same ranch. The observed prevalence rates were 5.7% in wild male horses and 5.3% in wild females. The observed prevalence rate in domestic male horses was 34.1%. Mean ages of domestic seropositive and domestic seronegative horses were 9 and 5.8 years old, respectively. Mean ages of wild seropositive and wild seronegative horses were 3.2 and 1.7 years old, respectively. No sex influence was observed in the wild animals. There was a very significant (P < 0.001) difference between the EIA prevalence in wild and domesticated horses in the studied farm. The hypothesis formulated by the authors is that man had played an important role in the EIA virus transmission to domesticated horses in the Pantanal. On the other hand, in wild populations insect vectors probably played a fundamental role in EIA transmission in the region.
DIFFERENTIALLY EXPRESSED PLANT DEFENSE PROTEIN EgPR10 AND EgLTP GENES IN RESPONSE TO INFECTION OF GANODERMA IN Elaeis guineensis (OIL PALM) SEEDLINGS.

Basal stem rot caused by Ganoderma boninense is the most serious disease of oil palm in virtually all growing regions in South East Asia and listed as among the key challenges for this major oil crop. Plant pathogenesis related proteins and in particular PR peptides are an integral part of the activation of plant defense responses against fungal infection in plant cells and PR10 and Lipid Transfer Protein LTP are two such proteins whose expressions are affected by exposure to different stress conditions including fungal infection. Degenerate primer pair combinations for conserved amino acid regions based on LTP and PR10 gene sequences from model plants were used to amplify Oil Palm LTP sequences (EgLTP) showing similarities of up to 100% with rice, while for EgPR10 the similarities were similarly up to 100% with wheat. Significantly, the expression of both EgPR10 and EgLTP genes measured using Q-PCR in infected oil palm were temporally down regulated during the early stages of infection suggesting that down regulation of the both are related to the establishment of infection. Consequently these genes could be used as early indicators of invasion before the onset of symptoms and in breeding programmes for early selection of the elusive resistant palms.
Morphological and Molecular Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Wild Tunisian Oregano, Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum Desf. Ietswaart

Aim: The objective of this work was the search for morphological and molecular markers useful for the analysis of genetic diversity of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum in the northern region of Tunisia. Study Design: The study of genetic diversity of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum was assessed using RAPDPCR, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, and eleven quantitative traits. Original Research Article Kaouther et al.; AJOB, 3(2): 1-15, 2017; Article no.AJOB. 34664 2 Place and Duration of Study: Five oregano populations were identified and collected in four governorates of Tunisia, Plant specimens of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum were collected during the full flowering period in 2015 in their natural habitats. Methodology: The five Tunisian Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum populations were first characterized and evaluated based on phenotypic characteristic and RAPDPCR. We carried out PCR amplifications of the ITS1 region of the total cellular DNA extracted either from the seeds or fresh leaves of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum. Results: The studied populations were highly variable in all evaluated traits (P < 0.05). The dendrogram estimated for the morphological traits revealed two main clusters. In total, 30 individuals from 5 Origanum wild populations were assessed using RAPD PCR method coupled with sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and ITS (ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2) rDNA regions. The separation of amplification products from the total ITS region shows a single band of 700 bp in the oregano populations. This result shows that all the Tunisian populations of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum studied have a common genetic basis and they all belong to the same subspecies. The Principal components analysis and the dendrogram using RAPD markers grouped Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum populations into 2 main clusters. This classification brings together the geographically closest populations. Conclusion: Tunisian Origanum vulgare L. subsp. glandulosum is growing wild in the mountains of North Africa. Therefore, it has been shown that it is possible to discriminate Tunisian oregano populations on the basis of their morphological and molecular characteristics that can be used as identification tools in breeding and biodiversity conservation programs.
Partial Purification and Characterization of an ExtracellularProtease from Penicillium janthinellum and Neurospora crassa

The aim of this experimental study was to isolate and partially purify extracellular protease from Penicillium janthinellum and Neurospora crassa.The species were inoculated in a protease fermentation medium.The supernatants were collected after 92 hours. The partial purification was realized by applying respectively, ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and DEAE Cellulose ion exchange chromatography to the supernatant. Effect of pH and temperature on enzyme activity and stability were determined. In addition, the molecular mass of the obtained enzyme was investigated by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). The specific activity of partially purified enzyme from Penicillium janthinellum and Neurospora crassa were determined to be 63U/mg and 16U/mg respectively. The final enzyme preparation from Penicillium janthinellum and Neurospora crassa were 9.3 and 3.1 fold more pure than the crude homogenate respectively. The molecular mass of the partially purified enzyme from Penicillium janthinellum and Neurospora crassa were found to be 33kDa and 45kDa respectively by using SDS-PAGE.
Arsenic and Boron Levels in Irrigation Water, Soil, and Green Leafy Vegetables

ABSTRACT Vegetable production sometimes takes place in close proximity to heavy industry. It is necessary to determine whether vegetables grown under these conditions contain high levels of pollutants. The semimetals arsenic (As) and boron (B) are toxic in high concentration. Levels of As and B were determined in irrigation water, soil, and the green leafy vegetables Leek (Allium ampeloprasum L), Wakegi Onion (A. wakegi L), Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L), Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L), Mint (Mentha arvensis L), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum Nyman Consp), Radish (Raphanus sativus L), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L), and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy. Samples were obtained from agricultural sites in Markazi Province, Iran. Leek contained 174.32 ± 273.33 µg·kg−1 of As and fenugreek contained 12029.99 ± 18312.6 µg·kg−1 dry weight of B, indicating that they are high accumulators. Plants can accumulate semimetals from water and soil. In irrigation water, the As content was 24.96 ± 0.18 µg·kg−1 and B content was 13,627.002 ± 10,401.8 µg·kg−1; in soil, the As content was 2402.72 ± 1103.38 µg·kg−1 and B content was 19,189.13 ± 4528.09 µg·kg−1, respectively. The contents of As but not B in the vegetables exceeded safe standards, indicating that production in contaminated soil can cause them to be unsafe for human consumption.
Effect of acidic amino acid substitution at the pr-M junction of dengue type 2 virus on prM cleavage and virus replication

Cleavage by furin of the envelope glycoprotein, prM, is required for maturation and infectivity of the dengue virus. Highly conserved acidic amino acid, aspartate in DENV-1 and -3 or glutamate in DENV-2 and -4, at a P3 position proximal to the furin cleavage site, infl uences the level of prM cleavage during virus replication. However, the signifi cance of this inter-serotypic variation of P3 acidic residue has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to defi ne the effect of acidic amino acid variation at this P3 position in the pr-M junction on the extent of prM cleavage and virus replication. The mutant virus, strain E203D, containing a P3 glutamate-to-aspartate substitution was generated by site-directed mutagenesis of a full-length cDNA clone of the dengue serotype 2 virus, strain 16681. The level of prM cleavage, as determined by the metabolic labeling method employing 35S-Cys/Met, in the strain E203D was comparable to the parent virus. When virus replicative ability was assessed in single and multi-step multiplication studies, no difference existed in the kinetics of replication between the strain E203D and the parent virus. A glutamate-to-aspartate substitution in prM at the polyprotein position 203 does not appear to affect the level of prM cleavage or viral replication in the dengue serotype 2 virus.
Butterfly Feeding Preferences for Buddleja Selections in the Landscape

Abstract In landscape studies conducted in 2002 and 2003, Buddleja davidii (Franch.) ‘White Profusion’, ‘Pink Delight’, and ‘Honeycomb’ were visited by native butterflies to a greater extent than to the remaining four Buddleja examined. In general, the lowest visitation was experienced by B. crispa (Benth.) and B. lindleyana (Fortune) ‘Miss Vicie’. Overall, B. davidii ‘Pink Delight’ was visited by the greatest number of species, while B. crispa and B. lindleyana ‘Miss Vicie’ were visited by the least. Total visit duration by one randomly selected butterfly was greater for B. davidii ‘White Profusion’, ‘Honeycomb’, ‘Pink Delight’, and ‘Royal Red’ in 2003, while no differences among cultivars were found in 2002. Differences in duration per visit were observed in 2003 with B. davidii ‘White Profusion’, ‘Pink Delight’, and ‘Royal Red’ having the greatest and B. crispa the least. Plant characteristics including inflorescence number, growth index, flower morphology, and flower color characteristics differed amo.
Provenance Variation in Radial Increment and Wood Characteristics Revealed by 30 Years Old Norway Spruce Comparative Trials

Abstract The performance of 33 Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] seed sources from the Romanian Carpathians was evaluated with respect to growth and wood characteristics in comparative trials located at two different site conditions: Avrig- outside of the natural range of Norway spruce and Bret¸cu - within the natural range of this species. The radial increment (RI), latewood percentage (LWP) and conventional wood density (CWD) traits were evaluated at age 30 years after plantation. Phenotypic correlations between the evaluated traits, on the one hand, and between the same traits and the geographic gradients of the origin of seed sources, on the other hand, were calculated. Analysis of variance showed significant (p<0.01) differences between seed sources for RI, while for LWP and CWD, the differences were highly significant (p<0.001). These results suggest that selection at seed sources level could be possible. The test sites influence the LWP and CWD, while the RI is almost similar in both sites. For RI, the most valuable populations are situated in the Eastern and Western Romanian Carpathians. The highest LWP was registered for the Eastern Carpathian populations, while the lowest was recorded for the Western Carpathian populations. The Southern Carpathian populations, characterized by a lower growth rate, had higher values for wood density.
Timing of Reproductive Organs Maturity in Proterandrous Malva sylvestris L.

Flower development of protandrous species Malva sylvestris L. was divided into 12 stages, as revealed by applying histological and scanning electron microscope techniques. Flower development started with the conversion of apical meristem into floral meristem. Initiation of male organ primordia started before that of female organ. Five rounded structures called corolla/androecium units differentiated from floral meristem, on which stamen primordia emerged. When pollen mother cells exist in the pollen sacs, initiation of carpels starts from floral meristem. Concurrent with the termination of meiosis in pollen mother cells, ten loculed ovary comed in view. Simultaneously with the occurrence of vacuoleted pollen grains, megaspore mother cell becomes visible in the nucellar tissue. Concominant with the existence of two celled-pollen grains, the style was formed and ovule becomes anatropous. When pollen grains are shed in male phase, ten branched stigma appeared on the upper part of the style, but receptive surface was not fully formed to accept pollen grains. Female phase is characterized by the opening of stigmatic branches with papillate receptive surface. Timing of reproductive organs maturity overlapped for a while, thus, the reproductive stragey of M. sylvestris was incomplete proterandry.
Adaptive Mechanisms in Zilla spinosa and Leptadenia pyrotechnica Plants to Sever Aridity in the Egyptian Deserts

In the present study two species were selected based on their highest presence values to study the response to the severe drought conditions in desert: these were Zilla spinosa and Leptadenia pyrotechnica . The results showed that soil water content and organic matter of Wadi El-Assiuty were very low over the study period. The estimated pH values in the soil solution at the different studied stands tended to be slight alkaline. Total soluble salts were generally higher during summer versus winter. The water content in the studied plants increased significantly during summer. The selected species increased their content of chlorophyll a and b in summer. The stability index of chlorophyll a and b was significantly higher in summer than that estimated in winter. Calcium and magnesium were accumulated in considerable amounts. Ca +2 was the main accumulated cation whereas its concentration were higher than magnesium. Z. spinosa accumulated more sulphates in summer than in winter. Phosphates appeared in low amounts in all the investigated plants. In L. pyrotechnica tissue, Na + concentration correlated negatively with those found in soil during summer. In winter Na + and SO 4 correlated positively and K + correlated negatively in Z. spinosa . The studied species showed slightly increase in soluble sugars accumulation. Soluble protein content in Z. spinosa and L. pyrotechnica decreased significantly during winter season. Amino acids content was low and varied between the two investigated species. It seemed that the Z. spinosa is better adapted than L. pyrotechnica to drought conditions, prevailing in the area under study. This judgement can be concluded by the average metabolic potentiality in the species, whereas soluble metabolites (soluble sugars and soluble proteins) were relatively much higher than in the case of L. pyrotechnica .
Description of one new species and one newsubspecies of Nymphalidae from Angola(Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)

The present paper deals with the description of a new species of Euphaedra (Euphaedrana) (Limenitidinae) of the “preussi -group” from northern Angola, and of a new subspecies of Acraea (Acraea) violarum Boisduval, 1847 (Heliconiinae) of the “violarum -group”, from the western and central area of the country; they are compared with the most similar known taxa. são comparadas com os taxa mais parecidos. Lycaenidae,