Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of seed dormancy and germination in an annual and a perennial species of Senna (Fabaceae)

Abstract Seed dormancy and germination of Senna marilandica and S. obtusifolia were compared in greenhouse and laboratory studies. About 90% of the S. obtusifolia seeds were green and had hard seed coat dormancy, whereas the other 10% were brown and nondormant. Seed-colour morphs did not occur in S. marilandica, and nearly 100% of the seeds had hard seed coat dormancy. Seeds of S. obtusifolia were significantly heavier than those of S. marilandica. Mechanical scarification was very effective in overcoming dormancy in seeds of both species. However, concentrated sulfuric acid, absolute ethanol and boiling water were less effective in breaking dormancy in seeds of S. marilandica than in those of S. obtusifolia. Further, incubating seeds at 30/15 to 40/25°C and dry-heat treatments at 80–100°C were ineffective in breaking dormancy in S. marilandica, but significantly increased germination percentages in S. obtusifolia. In neither species were simulated daily/seasonal temperature shifts effective in breaking dormancy. Scarified seeds of both species germinated over a wide range of temperatures in both light and darkness. Under near-natural temperature conditions, seeds of S. marilandica germinated in spring only, whereas those of S. obtusifolia emerged in late spring and throughout summer. Both species can form a long-lived seed bank. Dormancy break by high field temperatures in seeds of S. obtusifolia allows this species to germinate throughout the warm growing season and thus contributes to its success as a weed in arable crops.
Effect of potassium lactate on the quality and shelf life of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus

: The effect of potassium lactate treatment on the shelf life of vacuum-packaged fish was studied. Chub mackerel was treated with 2% and 4% potassium lactate solutions, and their shelf lives were compared with those of control (not treated) samples. Samples were stored at 4°C and sensory evaluation, and chemical and microbiological analyses were done every three days. Control group spoiled after six days of storage. The addition of potassium lactate decreased microbiological activity and treated samples remained in good quality until the ninth day of storage. There was no significant difference between the shelf life of samples treated with either 2% or 4% potassium lactate. These results indicate that treatment with potassium lactate extends the shelf life of vacuum-packaged and refrigerated chub mackerel.
Specificity in host choice by the slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens Latr. (Hymenoptera Formicidae)

The interspecific relationships between the obligatory slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens and three host species belonging to the Formica fusca group (i.e. F. cunicularia, F. gagates, and F. rufibarbis) were analysed and quantified in the laboratory using an aggression test. Fierce and immediate attacks accompanied by the elements typical of overt aggression (i.e. gaster flexing, seizing, dragging, and carrying) characterized the encounters between P. rufescens and two of the host species: F. gagates (90%) and F. rufibarbis (95%). By contrast, only 9 (45%) pairs of slave-maker and F. cunicularia individuals fought and these encounters were always interrupted by mutual antennal inspections accompanied by the items of ritualized aggressive behaviour (i.e. threat and upright posture). The lower degree of aggression between P. rufescens and F. cunicularia compared with that occurring with the other two potential host species, could explain the presence of only F. cunicularia individuals as slaves in the nat.
Assembly of tropical plant diversity on a local scale: Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) on Mount Kerinci, Sumatra

At a regional scale, the high species numbers (gamma diversity) of tropical forests have been explained by either a gradual accumulation of species through time (museum hypothesis) or, by contrast, rapid recent speciation in large genera. However, the origins of local rain forest diversity (alpha diversity) have been given little attention. Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae), an understorey genus in the highly species-rich Indo-Malayan rain forest, has considerable capacity for producing local endemics, making it particularly suitable for studying diversity on a local scale. We sampled Cyrtandra species from one community on Mount Kerinci, Sumatra, and phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequences suggest that this community is an assembly of three distinct phyletic lineages: (1) a group of herbaceous or subshrub plants of Bornean affinity, (2) one member of a group of widespread shrubs forming Cyrtandra section Dissimiles and (3) a second group of shrubs. The evolutionary origin of this community is therefore not a result of rapid and recent speciation: it is assembled from species resulting from a gradual accumulation of diversity through time (museum hypothesis), although one lineage shows evidence of more recent, continuing speciation than the other two. The community includes two distantly related, apparently endemic species, but there is no evidence for a local adaptive radiation. The protection of representative species from each lineage would allow the conservation of genetic diversity. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 81, 49–62.
The Occurrence of blaCTX-M, blaSHV, and blaTEM Genes in Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Positive Strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis in Poland

Bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes are important pathogens of infections. Increasing numbers of ESBL-producing bacterial strains exhibiting multidrug resistance have been observed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of , , and genes among ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis strains and to examine susceptibility to antibiotics of tested strains. In our study, thirty-six of the tested strains exhibited genes , , , and . Moreover, twelve ESBL-positive strains harbored genes , , , and , and the presence of a gene in twenty-five ESBL-positive strains was revealed. Among K. pneumoniae the multiple ESBL genotype composed of , and genes encoding particular ESBL variants was observed. Analysis of bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics revealed that, among β-lactam antibiotics, the most effective against E. coli strains was meropenem (100%), whereas K. pneumoniae were completely susceptible to ertapenem and meropenem (100%), and P. mirabilis strains were susceptible to ertapenem (91.7%). Moreover, among non-β-lactam antibiotics, gentamicin showed the highest activity to E. coli (91.7%) and ciprofloxacin the highest to K. pneumoniae (83.3%). P. mirabilis revealed the highest susceptibility to amikacin (66.7%).
Autologous Natural Killer Cell/Natural Killer T Cell Immunotherapy of Malignant Diseases

Adoptive immunotherapy, the therapeutic infusion of ex vivo activated cancer-fighting white blood cells that was pioneered by Dr. Steven Rosenberg over 30 years ago, has become more widespread due to outstanding published research documenting the clinical efficacy of this strategy. Based on the well-established in vivo functions of NK and NKT cells, their integral role in the efficacy of certain chemotherapeutic and immunomodulatory agents, and their direct therapeutic action as displayed in clinical trials, the use of autologous natural killer cell infusions is an appropriate and warranted therapeutic option for the treatment of malignant diseases, especially in patients whose disease is refractory to standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Large‐scale intraspecific variation in life‐history traits of European freshwater fish

Aims To test the magnitude and direction of the effects of large‐scale environmental factors (latitude and habitat type: lotic or lentic) on the intraspecific variations in multiple life‐history traits, across multiple European freshwater fish species. To test the relevance of defining species traits by quantifying the magnitude of interspecific vs. intraspecific variability in traits.
Influence of the Ripening Time on the Viscoelastic Behaviour of Tetilla Cheese

Controlled shear stress tests were used to monitor the changes of viscoelastic properties in industrial samples of Tetilla cheese with the ripening time. The linear viscoelastic range was determined from both stress sweep and creep-and-recovery tests conducted at 20ºC. One-week-old samples were found to be more rigid and elastic, and to exhibit broader linear ranges, than older samples. Mechanical spectra recorded at the same temperature confirmed this trend since viscoelastic moduli G’ and G" decreased markedly during the first week of ripening, indicating a loss of structure during this period. Besides, physico-chemical information (pH, water content, protein content, nitrogen fractions, and s1 and β casein fractions) was obtained by analytical methods. Quite good correlation between rheological and chemical results was found. For each ripening time, an additional study of mechanical spectra as a function of temperature was performed. A marked increase of the power law exponents as temperature is raised is observed after the second week. Crosslink breakdown and the resulting structural weakening of the micellar network through casein hydrolysis during ripening can explain this result. The whole study provided similar results to those found for other type of cheeses and, also, allowed the classification of samples into two groups of markedly different behaviour, namely, one-week-old samples and older samples. In conclusion more than one week of ripening is needed to reach the adequate texture standardisation of Tetilla cheese.
Antifungal activity of indigenous Bacillus sp. isolate Q3 against marshmallow mycobiota.

Marshmallow is a host of a number of saprophytic and parasitic fungi in Serbia. The seeds of marshmallow are contaminated with fungi from different genera, especially Alternaria and Fusarium, which significantly reduced seed germination and caused seedling decay. In this study we investigate antagnonism of indigenous Bacillus sp. isolate Q3 against marshmallow mycopopulation. Bacillus sp. Q3 was isolated from maize rhizosphere, characterized by polyphasic approch and tested for plant growth promoting treats. Bacillus sp. Q3 produced antifungal metabolites with growth inhibition activity against numerous fungi in dual culture: 61.8% of Alternaria alternata, 74.8% of Myrothecium verrucaria and 33.6% of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. That effect could be caused by different antifungal metabolites including siderophores, hydrolytic enzymes, organic acids and indole acetic acid (IAA). Suppression of natural marshmallow seed infection by Q3 isolate was observed. The seeds were immersed in different concentrations of bacterial suspension during 2h and their infections by phytopathogenic fungi were estimated. The results showed significant reduction of seed infection by Alternaria spp. The presented results indicate possible application of this isolate as promising biological agent for control of marshmallow seed pathogenic fungi.
Early Evaluation of Compatibility between Commercial Citrus Varieties and Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix) and Carrizo Citrange (C. sinensis Osb. x P. trifoliata L. Raf.) Rootstocks at Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The results of investigation on early evaluation of compatibility between commercial citrus varieties, and Kaffir lime ( Citrus hystrix ) and Carrizo citrange ( C. sinensis Osb. x P. trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstocks, at Mekong Delta Vietnam, during four successive years from 2010 to 2013, reported that out of the tested combinations of the recent commercial citrus varieties, included Da xanh pumelo ( C. grandis Osbeck), seedless Mat orange ( C. sinensis L. Osbeck), Sanh orange ( C . nobilis Lour.) and Duong mandarin ( C. reticulata ), budded on Kaffir lime and Carrizo citrange, in the 3 rd and 4 th year after planting under the trial fields at Mekong Delta Vietnam, the trees of Sanh orange ( C. nobilis Lour.) budded on Kaffir lime ( Citrus hystrix ) were supperior with precocity, producing high number of fruits (16.67 fruits per tree ), and very good fruit quality of larger fruit size (334.6 g and 11.16 cm, fruit weight and diameter, respectively), higher total soluble solids (12.5 brix), better orange-yellow juice color development, and excellent flavor and aroma of juice, as compared to the typical characteristics; meanwhile these were followed by trees of seedless Mat orange budded on Kaffir lime, which produced the highest number of fruits (47.33 fruits per tree), with little inferior quality of seedy fruit (1-3 seeds per fruit), lower total soluble solids (7.33%), and no good flavor and aroma, as somewhat differed from the typical fruit traits.
Effect of integrated organic nutrient management on fruit yield and quality of strawberry cv Senga Sengana

The present research was conducted in the departmental field of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K to study the effect of various organic nutrient combinations on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv Senga Sengana. The experiment comprised of five organic nutrient treatments with different combinations of FYM, Azotobacter, PSB, mustard oil cake, poultry manure, wood ash, Azospirillum including the recommended doses of N, P and K through chemical fertilizer as control. Treatment combination of poultry manure + Azotobacter + wood ash + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria + mustard oil cake significantly improved growth, yield and quality of strawberry. Observations recorded on different growth parameters depicted that maximum plant height (23.39 cm), plant spread (24.21 cm) and runners/plant (13.03) were in treatment poultry manure + Azotobacter + wood ash + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria + mustard oil cake along with maximum yield (238.95 g/plant) and different physical characters of fruits in respect of length (3.95 cm), diameter (3.11 cm), volume (20.39 cm3), weight (11.11 g) and chemical characters viz total sugars (7.95%), total soluble solids (9.01oB), acidity (0.857%) and TSS/acidity ratio (11.12).
The food and feeding of marine finfish in floating net cages at the National Seafarming Development Centre, Lampung, Indonesia: rabbitfish, Siganus canaliculatus (Park)

A 100-day cage feeding trial was conducted with juvenile pearl spotted rabbitfish, Siganus canaliculatus (Park), so as to test eight different dietary feeding regimes, namely: no exogenous feeding (NF), frozen fish Leiognathus splendens (Cuvier; FF), live seaweed Eucheuma cottoni (EC), live seaweed Gracilaria lichenoides (GL), commercial broiler starter crumble (BS), commercial carp starter pellet (CP), in-house prepared dry pellet RDl (RDl) and in-house prepared dry pellet RD2 (RD2). The best growth and feed efficiency was observed for rabbitfish fed a dry in-house crumble containing 31% crude protein (diet RDl), followed by fish fed FF, CP, BS, and RD2. By contrast, all fish fed live seaweed displayed a negative growth response over the 100-day trial period. Interestingly, all rabbitfish fed formulated rations displayed marked sexual activity by the end of the feeding trial; 62-93% of the fish (50-100g in weight) yielding milt or eggs on hand stripping. The results are analysed from an economic viewpoint and discussed on the basis of other published studies.
Pengaruh Model Contextual Teaching and Learning Terhadap Kesadaran Metakognisi Dan Hasil Belajar Siswa Pada Materi Larutan Penyangga

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh model Contextual Teaching and Learning terhadap kesadaran metakognisi dan hasil belajar siswa pada materi larutan penyangga. Jenis penelitian ini adalah quasi eksperimental. Popolasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh kelas XI SMAN 1 Terara yang terdiri dari empat kelas. Kelas XI MIA 1 sebagai kelas eksperimen yang dibelajarkan dengan Contextual Teaching and Learning dan Kelas XI MIA 2 sebagai kelas kontrol yang dibelajarkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional. Analisis dari hasil pre-test hasil belajar kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol adalah setara, tidak ada perbedaan kemampuan awal antara kedua kelas. Dari hasil pre-test pengukuran kesadaran metakognisi juga tidak ada perbedaan antara kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol. Pemberian post-test setelah diberikan perlakuan pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning terhadap kelas eksperimen dan pembelajaran konvensional pada kelas kontrol. Dari hasil perhitungan dan analisis hipotesis diperoleh t-hitung 6,16 dan t-tabel 2,006, hal ini menunjukkan ada pengaruh positif pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning terhadap hasil belajar siswa pada materi larutan penyangga karena t hitung > t tabel . Begitu pula dengan post-test kesadaran metakognisi, pada kelas eksperimen mengalami peningkatan dari kategori “Sedang” menjadi “Baik” sedangkan pada kelas kontrol kesadaran metakognisi tetap sama pada kategori “Sedang”. Dan jika dilihat dari persentase ketuntasan klasikal kelas eksperimen lebih tinggi dari kelas kontrol yaitu 40 % dan 17,5 %.
Aquaculture and the environment: the supply of and demand for environmental goods and services by Asian aquaculture and the implications for sustainability

billion) (FAO 1996). Nevertheless, the sustainability The present paper explores the relationships between of some aquaculture industries are increasingly aquaculture and the environment in Asia, focusing being questioned: irrespective of which indicators on the demands for environmental goods and are used ‐ resource use efficiency, financial viability, services among different sectors. Aquaculture in the operational period, social interactions ‐ sustainregion accounts for 88% of global production by ability issues are readily apparent throughout the weight and 80% by value. Nevertheless, region. Whilst the concepts of sustainability are environmental problems are increasingly apparent poorly defined for aquaculture, the consensus is and the higher the demands for environmental that sustainability incorporates social, technical, goods and services, the more negative the impacts. financial and ecological concerns and that Against a background of rapid social, economic interactions between aquaculture and its ecological and political change, the paper considers how the environment ‐ the focus of this paper ‐ are becoming sustainability of the industry is best assured. An increasingly important and the extent of the integrated view of resource use, in which problems are such that they can no longer be aquaculture is but one activity, is necessary for ignored. As an example, the Network of Aquaculture sustainable development. The roles of planning, Centres in Asia (NACA) estimates that education, research and environmental environmental problems (including disease losses) management schemes are discussed. cost the sector in Asia at least US$ 3 billion per annum in lost revenues (ADB/NACA 1996). The present paper explores the relationships
Modelling user satisfaction with transportation public-private partnership projects

The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) approach to infrastructure delivery has become famous as a crucial route for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transportation infrastructure development in developing countries around the world including Thailand. One interesting PPP project is the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) SkyTrain under a concession agreement with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Another interesting project is the Second Stage Expressway operating under a concession granted by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT). Due to the commercial nature of infrastructure projects adopting the BOT method, the satisfaction of users and officials is a key concern since they are principal PPP stakeholders. In order to assess the levels of satisfaction with PPPs, it is essential to study the levels of perceived satisfaction by key stakeholders. The focus of this study is to identify and evaluate the benefits associated with PPP projects in Thailand and to develop a model of user satisfaction with the two PPP projects. The research analysed, reviewed, and modelled user satisfaction on the BTS project. The model is then tested on the EXAT project. Questionnaire survey responses from 561 EXAT users and 52 EXAT officials were obtained and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Linear Structural RELationships (LISREL) is used to analyse the hypothesised user satisfaction model. The results show that three principal factors (Service, Safety, and Operation) correspond to Service Quality (SQ) and SQ affects Behaviour Intentions (BI) via Perceived Value (PV) and/or Satisfaction (SA). The verified and validated model is generated and developed by using the data from the BTS and EXAT projects.
Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions using phosphoric acid activated carbon produced from hazelnut husks

In this study, activated carbon (HHPAAC) was prepared from hazelnut husks using phosphoric acid activation and characterized by some physicochemical analyses. Surface area and zero point charge of pH (pHPZC) were found to be 770 m2 g−1 and 4.5, respectively. Removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was performed using a batch technique for determination of the effects of initial pH, contact time, dosage, and temperature. Adsorption of MB was elevated with increasing pH and temperature. The equilibrium data were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich equations, and it was found that the data were reasonably well represented by the former with an adsorption capacity of 204 g kg−1. Change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG), entropy (ΔS), and enthalpy (ΔH), were also calculated. Adsorption kinetics were pseudo-second order.
Soil fertility changes in a red-brown earth under irrigated pastures. II. Changes in phosphorus

Changes in phosphorus applied as superphosphate to irrigated pastures on a red-brown earth were studied for a 4 year period commencing 1 year after the establishment of the pastures. The pastures consisted of Wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.), perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and white clover (T. repens L.). Measurements of phosphorus fractions were made on the 0–3 in. soil horizon over this period and, for the final 2 years, on the organic matter layer (mat) which was present on the soil surface under all pastures. The mat was shown to be an important accumulation site for organic phosphorus, as well as for inorganic phosphorus which accumulates from interception of broadcast applications of superphosphate. Of the 155 lb phosphorus per acre added as fertilizer, 82–100% was accounted for principally as increases in the acetic acid-soluble fraction or as organic phosphorus. There were no significant changes in the inorganic phosphorus fraction soluble in sodium hydroxide. It was concluded that the amount of phosphorus converted to the organic form will determine the level for maintenance applications of phosphorus on the irrigated pastures.
Episodic accretion on to strongly magnetic stars

Some accreting neutron stars and young stars show unexplained episodic flares in the form of quasi-periodic oscillations or recurrent outbursts. In a series of two papers, we present new work on an instability that can lead to episodic outbursts when the accretion disc is truncated by the star’s strong magnetic field close to the corotation radius (where the Keplerian frequency matches the star’s rotational frequency). In this paper we outline the physics of the instability and use a simple parametrization of the disc–field interaction to explore the instability numerically, which we show can lead to repeated bursts of accretion as well as steady-state solutions, as first suggested by Sunyaev and Shakura. The cycle time of these bursts increases with a decreasing accretion rate. These solutions show that the usually assumed ‘propeller’ state, in which mass is ejected from the system, need not occur even at very low accretion rates.