Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Energy Drink on Sperm Morphology, Haematological Parametres and Behaviour of Adult Male Mice

With the rising popularity of energy drink among Nigerian youths and males especially, there is the need to investigate the possible side effect of its major constituent, caffeine on reproductive and health related issues. To test the reproductive, health, and other effects of energy drink, increasing concentration of Red Bull was offered ad libitum to adult male mice for twenty eight days. The Control, Treatment 1 was offered 100% water. Treatments 2-5 were offered 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% Red Bull, respectively. Sperm head abnormally counts and haematological parameters were carried out at 7, 14, and 28 days of exposure, while body movements studies of the mice were conducted on the last five days of energy drink exposure. The study showed that mice offered 75% concentration of Red Bull for 14-28 days had significantly (P< 0.05) negative effects on sperm head abnormalities. The percent abnormal sperm head for Treatments 1-5 were 1.82, 8.07, 12.40, 15.46 and 21.81 respectively. Haematological parameters that were most affected were the mean corpuscular haemaglobin concentration and platelets. The number of body movements increased Original Research Article Olaleru and Odeigah; ARRB, 6(5): 288-296, 2015; Article no.ARRB. 2015.087 289 with increasing concentration of Red Bull. These results could imply that exposure to energy drink should be at low concentration and not for long period so that it does not have negative reproductive, haematological and behavioural outcomes.
POLLEN FLORA OF PAKISTAN-LVII. VITACEAE

Pollen morphology of 6 species representing 4 genera of the family Vitaceae from Pakistan has been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, tricolporate. Mostly sub-prolate or prolate to prolate-spheroidal, sexine much thicker or thinner than nexine. Tectum foveolate or reticulate. On the basis of exine ornamentation three distinct pollen types are recognized. Viz., Vitis parvifolia–type, Vitis jacqumontii and Ampelopsis vitifolia subsp. Hazaraganjiensis-type.
Chemical composition and variability of the defensive secretion in Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1885) in urban area in the Brazilian semiarid region

We analyzed the composition and chemical variability of the defensive secretion in Nasutitermes corniger in an urban area. We selected two environments with characteristics of Caatinga, and two surrounded by a semideciduous forest, in northeastern Brazil. Eighteen compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cluster analysis classified the populations into two main groups: group I, seasonal forest, with α-pinene, β-pinene, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol as major compounds, whereas group II, Caatinga, showed a lower percentage for α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene. It is suggested that climatic factors, geographical distance, and likely genetic differences between populations influence the chemical composition of the secretion of soldiers resulting in the possible formation of two ecotypes.
Patterns in Neotropical Collembola Diversity and Morphology along an Elevation Gradient

PATTERNS IN NEOTROPICAL COLLEMBOLA DIVERSITY AND MORPHOLOGY ALONG AN ELEVATION GRADIENT Kate A. Pare Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Professor M. A. Smith I studied biogeographical patterns in Neotropical Collembola along an elevation gradient, focusing on morphology and diversity. My first study examined differences in body size, appendage length and sensory structures. All measured structures increased in length or size with elevation. However, intraspecific morphology and morphospecies richness did not significantly change across elevation, suggesting the observed patterns in morphology were influenced by changes in community composition. My second study examined elevation – diversity patterns using both morphological and molecular diversity estimates. There were no relationships between elevation and diversity estimates when all Collembola were analyzed; however, some diversity patterns were observed when Collembola orders were analyzed individually. My findings suggest that microhabitats may shelter Collembola from the environmental changes that occur along this elevation gradient. Overall, these results suggest that the environmental factors that change along elevation have a stronger influence on morphology compared to morphological or molecular estimates of diversity.
Edge Types and Abundance of Bobwhites in Southern Illinois

servationists have planted millions of multiflora roses (Rosa multiflora) under the assumption that, among other values, they would increase edge and thereby increase bobwhites. The objective of the present research was to test this belief. The field observations were made during a 6-year period, 1948-54, within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Williamson County on land representative of the better bobwhite range in Illinois. Plantings of shrubs were made on an area of 3,500 a. , and a nearby tract of 2,450 a. served as a control. Hunting was not permitted on either area. W. N. Wandell established the project and supervised it during the period of active field work. Most of the data for the period June 1948 to May 1951, were collected by R. K. Stubbs, E. E. Filer, and H. D. Crawley; most of the data for the period from May 1951 to the end of 1954 were collected by R. J. Miller. Acknowledgment is made to the Branch of Wildlife Management Lands, U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, for the opportunity to conduct the investigation on refuge land, for office space, and for other aids. Members of the Crab Orchard Field Trial Club helped with censuses of the bobwhites. T. G. Scott encouraged preparation of the manuscript and provided a final editing; R. E. Yeatter and C. O. Mohr, all of the Illinois Natural History Survey, furnished editorial assistance.
Drought Resistance of Elite Maize Inbred Lines in Different Water Stress Conditions

Drought is one of the important factors affecting the yield stability of maize(Zea mays L.) in China and some other areas in the world.In order to provide materials and academic basis for maize drought resistance breeding,84 elite main inbred lines were grown at Hainan and Gansu provinces in China in 2002 and 2003.Two levels of drought treatment were imposed,well-watered and water-stressed.Experiments were arranged in a complete random block design with three replications.Each genotype was grown in one row of 10 plants,3 m long and 0.67 m apart.The drought resistance of the materials was evaluated according to drought coefficient and drought index.Based on the drought coefficient,12 genotypes,S22,Zheng 22,Shen 5003,K10,Longkang 11,Hai 014,Chang 3,Ji 853,Shuang 741,Danhuang 02,Xi 502 and D978 were with high drought resistance;15 genotypes,Ye 478,Ben 7884,Ye 8112,Dong 237,Tian 77,B73,Chang 72,Hai 1134,Wu 109,Yan 812,Nan 21-3,Q1261,Mo 113,Luyuan 92 and D892 were with medium drought resistance.Based on the drought index,eight genotypes,Zheng 22,K10,Chang 3,Ye 8001,Danhuang 02,K22,Xi 502 and D978 were with high drought resistance and high yield;17 genotypes,Ye 478,Ji 444,Ben 7884,Huangyesi 3,Cheng 200B,Qi 319,Za C546,Tian 77,B73,Tie 7922,Chang 72,Dan 9064,Wu 109,Yan 812,K14,Ye 5237 and D863 were with medium drought resistance and high yield.The results showed that there existed inbred lines with different types of drought resistance and of high yield and drought resistance,which were the important germplasms for drought resistant breeding in China.Among the inbred lines some showed drought resistance in both middle and later period of growth,some only in one period.The high yield with high drought resistance was realized through different ways,some through higher index of kernel number and 100-kernel weight,some through higher index of kernel number and others through higher index of 100-kernel weight.It is possible to get elite cultivars with both high yield and high drought resistance by using different inbred lines above in the breeding for drought resistance.
Abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters

Study on the meiobenthos abundance and biomass of Changjiag (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters was based on the samples collected by R/V “No.2 Dongfanghong” in June, 2003. The dominant sediment type was poor sorted silt-clay(TY), with silt and clay content from 82.75% to 99.8%, median diameter (MD φ)from 7.57 to 8.92. This type was found in Zhejiang coastal waters where water depth was deeper than 30m.The second dominant sediment type was clay-silt(YT), with silt and clay content from 82.1% to 99.17%, median diameter (MD φ)from 5.86 to 7.65. It was found in Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuarine waters where water depth was shallower than 25m. The average concentrations of sediment Chl-a and Pha-a in the top 8cm were (2.469±0.565)mg·kg~-1 sediment and (5.656±0.899) mg·kg~-1 sediment respectively. The average sediment organic matter in top 5cm was 8.09%. The average abundance, biomass and production of meiobenthos was (1 971±583.9)ind 10cm~-2, (1 393±516.1)μg dwt 10cm~-2and (12 543± 4 644.7)μg dwt 10cm~-2 a~-1 respectively. The Correlation analysis between meiobenthos and environmental factors showed that there was a highly significant correlation between abundance and the sediment Chl-a and Pha-a concentrations. A total of 21 meiobenthos groups was identified. The most dominant taxonomic group was nematode, with average abundance (1 785±493.7)ind 10cm~-2, accounting for 91%. The following groups were also important: benthic copepods, kinorhyncha, polychaete and bivalves. Analysis of meiobenthos vertical distribution indicated that 86.19% of meiobenthos distributed in the top 5cm of sediment, and its vertical distribution was decided by the vertical distribution of sediment Chl-a and Pha-a concentrations. The comparative analysis of free living marine nematode community before and after typhoon at station 8 showed that nematode abundance, biomass and species composition had changed significantly after typhoon. According to the analysis, these changes were caused by the sediment Chl-a and Pha-a concentrations. Analysis of free living marine nematode species composition from five selected typical stations showed that the most dominant species differed among each station. And they represented distinct communities. As expected the lowest biodiversity was found at the estuarine water station 10 (H′=1.814). The diversity index (H′) was high in stations of the adjacent area. The biodiversity was increased from the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary to its adjacent area.
Preliminary Research on Ca~(2+)·CaM Involved in the Resistance Response of Wheat to Puccinia triticina

Investigate if CaM is involved in the defense responses of wheat to Puccinia triticina,and provide more evidences to the next research.After being blocked Ca2+·CaM messenger transduction by pretreating with CaM antagonists TFP(trifluoperazine),CPZ(chlorpromazine) and W-7 [(N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1naphathalene sulfonamide)]and activated with pretreatment of CaCl2,the activities of peroxidase(POD),phenylalanine ammonialyade(PAL),polyphenoloxidase(PPO) and catalase(CAT) were measured in wheat leaves inoculated with Puccinia triticica.Addition,the expression of the CaM gene was tested by Real-Time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR after inoculating virulent race and avirulent race respectively.The results showed that the pretreatment with CaM repel reagents TFP,CPZ and W-7 inhibited the increase in the activities of POD,PAL,PPO and CAT after the inoculation with 05-5-127③ in detached wheat leaves.The pretreatment with CaCl2 enhanced the increase in the activities of POD,PAL,PPO and CAT after the inoculation with 05-22-64① in detached wheat leaves.And there is differential expression of CaM isforms genes under different interactions in wheat after inoculation.The results indicated that Ca2+·CaM messenger might play an important role in the interaction of wheat and pathogen,and different CaM isforms might play different role.
FINANCIAL STABILITY AND BANK CAPITAL: THE CASE OF ISLAMIC BANKS

The purpose of this research is to empirically analyze Islamic Bank’s financial stability, which consists in assessing the possible relationship between the risk of default (measured by z-score) and capital ratios while considering specific internal bank determinants. A regression analysis is derived on an unbalanced panel data including 405 observations of 81 Islamic banks established in 22 counties during the period of 2010-2014. To this purpose, our bank-specific data are collected from the websites of each bank and Bankscope database. The results show that almost all determinants estimated in the empirical models have statistically significant effect on the stability of Islamic Banks. The regression results show that two capital ratios (Non-risk-weighted capital ratio and Risk-weighted capital ratio), banks’ Size, loans to total assets, total deposit to total assets and overhead cost to total assets represent important predictors of bank stability in Islamic banking industry. The empirical results contribute to the comprehension of the relationship between bank-specific variables as well as macroeconomic indicators and the financial stability of the banking system. On the basis of these findings, some proposals could be useful for bank regulators supervisors to enhance and maintain the strength and stability of the Islamic banking sector. Compared to other studies, that conducts a comparative analysis of Islamic and conventional banks, this paper focus only on Islamic banks, so any findings will be more relevant to their business. Hence, it attempts to fill a significant gap in the literature by better understanding the stability and soundness of Islamic banks.
Red-edge characteristics of winter wheat canopy spectra

Winter wheat canopy spectral reflectance was field measured using spectrometer Field Spec at different nitrogen levels and time periods.Some red-edge parameters including wavelength(λred),amplitude(dλred) and rededge apex area(∑dλ680～760)were analyzed for winter wheat leaf chlorophyll(CHL.T),leaf nitrogen content(N%),leaf area index(LAI),accumulated leaf nitrogen content(TN.D),etc.It is found that red-edge positions move to long wavebands till booting stage and then fall back to short bands after booting.A significant correlation is found between dλred and TN.D,CHL.T,and CHL.D. Similar relation exists between ∑dλ680～760 and N%. Red-edge parameters show strong correlation with LAI.It is thus concluded that some red-edge parameters form part of the best remote sensing descriptors.
Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and seed yield of okra

A field experiment was carried out with four levels of nitrogen (0,40,80 and 120 kg N/ha) and four levels of phosphorus (0,30,60 and 90 kg P2O5/ha) on okra cv. Pusa sawani at SKUAST, Srinagar, during summer 1992 and 1993 to study their effect on plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number pods per plant, pod length (cm), seed number per pod, 1000 seed weight (g) and. total seed yield (q/ha). The total seed yield and all other characters except 1000 seed weight was significantly affected by the appplication of nitrogen and were maximum at 120 kg N/ha. Application of different levels of phosphorus showed significant effect only on pod number per plant and total seed yield over control. However, among different levels of phosphorus, 30 kg P2O5/ha was found superior over control.
A bi‐organellar phylogenomic study of Pandanales: inference of higher‐order relationships and unusual rate‐variation patterns

We used a bi‐organellar phylogenomic approach to address higher‐order relationships in Pandanales, including the first molecular phylogenetic study of the panama‐hat family, Cyclanthaceae. Our genus‐level study of plastid and mitochondrial gene sets includes a comprehensive sampling of photosynthetic lineages across the order, and provides a framework for investigating clade ages, biogeographic hypotheses and organellar molecular evolution. Using multiple inference methods and both organellar genomes, we recovered mostly congruent and strongly supported relationships within and between families, including the placement of fully mycoheterotrophic Triuridaceae. Cyclanthaceae and Pandanaceae plastomes have slow substitution rates, contributing to weakly supported plastid‐based relationships in Cyclanthaceae. While generally slowly evolving, mitochondrial genomes exhibit sporadic rate elevation across the order. However, we infer well‐supported relationships even for slower evolving mitochondrial lineages in Cyclanthaceae. Clade age estimates across photosynthetic lineages are largely consistent with previous studies, are well correlated between the two organellar genomes (with slightly younger inferences from mitochondrial data), and support several biogeographic hypotheses. We show that rapidly evolving non‐photosynthetic lineages may bias age estimates upwards at neighbouring photosynthetic nodes, even using a relaxed clock model. Finally, we uncovered new genome structural variants in photosynthetic taxa at plastid inverted repeat boundaries that show promise as interfamilial phylogenetic markers.
Effect of Foliar Feeding of Plant Growth Regulators on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Quality of Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis DC)

The Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis DC) also known as star apple, it is a sub-tropical fruit native to India, belongs to the family Tiliaceae with chromosome no. 2n=36. This family has about 41 genera and 400 species, which are mostly distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical region of the world. Its fruit is known as berry. Phalsa is a quick growing shrub which thrives well in arid and semi-arid regions as well as in salt affected wasteland conditions because of its hardy nature and capacity to tolerate high temperature and even to be grown under prolonged dry spells (Singh et al., 2011). India is considered to be the home of phalsa and it is grown in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal (Zeeshan and Singh, 2017). In Punjab, it is mostly grown in International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 6 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Genetic Diversity Analysis by SSR Marker of Fourteen Species of Caragana Fabr. in He-Xi Corridor Area of Gansu

The genetic diversity and relationship were investigated using 9 pairs of nSSR(nuclear simple sequence repeat) and 10 pairs of cpSSR(chloroplast simple sequence repeat) markers among 14 Species of Caragana Fabr.collected from Minqin Desert Botanical Garden of Gansu Province.Total 109 polymorphic loci were detected by 9 pairs of nSSR primers and the value of allelic PIC(polymorphism information content) ranged from 0.320 to 0.920,averaged 0.738 per primer.Total 92 polymorphic loci were detected by 10 pairs of cpSSR primers and the value of allelic PIC ranged from 0.512 to 0.865,averaged 0.671 per primer.The value of genetic similarity(GS) indexes among those 14 species varied from 0.60 to 0.92 and averaged 0.76. Cluster analysis classified those 14 Species into 5 groups and 6 sub-groups.The interspecific genetic relationship analyzed by nSSR and cpSSR was almost consistent with the result by traditional classification method.The results of molecular markers assay indicated that the Caragana Fabr.had a high level of genetic diversity which could be theoretical basis for the germplasm utilization and breeding of Caragana Fabr.
STUDY ON PROTECTION AGAINST SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM INDUCED BY PASSIVELY TRANSFERED SERA FROM MICROTUS FOTIS IN THE MOUSE

Objective To study the protection against Schistosoma japonicum induced by passively transferred sera from Microtus fotis in the mouse. Methods Sera from M. fotis, Rat and BALB/c mice were injected to recipient mice via the tail vein, respectively. Resistance was observed by the reduction in the number of worms recovered from mice challenged with S. japonicum cercariae and the levels of eight antibodies include IgG subclass anti- soluble schistosomulum antigen (SSA), soluble adult worm antigen (SAWA) or soluble egg antigen (SEA) detected by ELISA. Results Compared with control mice injected with physiological saline solution, the recipient mice injected with sera from M. fotis exhibited reductions in adult worm burdens of 36.2% and in egg burdens of 54.0%. The antibody level of IgE, IgM, IgG and its subclass in all the recipient mice was found to be higher than that in control mice, and the level of IgG1 response to SSA to be the highest of all antibodies. But, there were no significant differences in antibody levels of the recipient mice. Conclusion The resistance of M. fotis against S. japonicum can partly protect mice by passive transfer sera, but this kind of protection probably acted through the induction of both Th1- and Th2-type immune responses in the recipient mice.
Role of F-actin cytoskeleton in differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells induced by laminar shear stress

Objective To investigate effects of F-actin cytoskeleton on differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) under laminar shear stress.Methods EPCs isolated from rat bone marrow were treated with laminar shear stress(1.2 Pa). Then the gene and protein expressions of the endothelial cell differentiation markers,such as vWF and CD31,were assayed with real time RT-PCR and Flow Cytometry.The effects of laminar shear stress on F-actin cytoskeleton and Ras activity were investigated by immunofluorescence technique and Pull-down assay.Results Compared with the untreated group,the expressions of vWF and CD31 were obviously increased in the group treated with laminar shear stress(P0.05). Moreover,exposure of EPCs to laminar shear stress led to the reorganization of cytoskeleton and enhanced the activity of Ras in EPCs.The treatment to EPCs with either F-actin stabilizer jasplakinolide or depolymerizers cytochalasin D inhibited the cytoskeleton reorganization induced with laminar shear stress,the activity of Ras and the up-regulation of the vWF and CD31 genes.However,over-expression of Ras augmented the up-regulation of the vWF and CD31 genes induced by laminar shear stress in EPCs.Conclusions The mechanism that laminar shear stress accelerates the differentiation of EPCs may be related with the laminar shear stress-induced cytoskeleton rearrangement and Ras activation.This study is of significance in revealing the mechanism of vascular endothelial repair which could be useful for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Physicochemical and structural properties of different colored sweet potato starches

Physicochemical and structural properties of starch from orange- and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes were investigated and compared to those of typical white-fleshed sweet potatoes. Slight differences were found in the proximate composition and amylose content of the starch from colored sweet potatoes. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the sweet potato starch granules were round and polygonal. The average granule size of the starch isolated from orange-fleshed sweet potatoes was higher than those from white- and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated that all the starch samples exhibited C-type crystallinity near A-type. The swelling power and solubility of starch from orange- and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes were greater than those from white sweet potatoes. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the enthalpy of starch from white sweet potatoes was greater than that of the other types of sweet potato. Starch from different colored sweet potatoes exhibited somewhat different RVA pasting properties. Structural analysis such as molecular size distribution and branch chain length showed minimal structural differences among the starch samples from colored sweet potatoes.