Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diet tracing in ecology: Method comparison and selection

Determining diet is a key prerequisite for understanding species interactions, food web structure and ecological dynamics. In recent years, there has been considerable development in both the methodology and application of novel and more traditional dietary tracing methods, yet there is no comprehensive synthesis that systematically and quantitatively compares the different approaches. Here we conceptualise diet tracing in ecology, provide recommendations for method selection, and illustrate the advantages of method integration. We summarise empirical evidence on how different methods quantify diet mixtures, by contrasting estimates of dietary proportions from multiple methods applied to the same consumer‐resource datasets, or from experimental studies with known diet compositions. Our data synthesis revealed an urgent need for more experiential comparisons among the dietary methods. The comparison of diet quantifications from field observations showed that different techniques aligned well in cases with less than six diet items, but diverged considerably when applied to more complex diet mixtures. Efforts are ongoing to further advance dietary estimation, including how reliably compound specific stable isotope analyses and fatty acid profiles can quantify more prey items than bulk stable isotope analyses. Similarly, DNA analyses, which can depict trophic interactions at a higher resolution than any other method, are generating new ways to better quantify diets and differentiate among life‐stages of prey. Such efforts, combined with more empirical testing of each dietary method and establishment of open data repositories for dietary data, promise to greatly advance community and ecosystem ecology.
Isolation and Characterization of Xanthine Oxidase from Tissues of Benign and Malignant Colon Tumors Patients

The present research included the determination of xanthine oxidase XO in tissues of benign and malignant colon tumor patients. Six samples were collected from patients in surgery unit in Al-Zahrawi hospital in Nineveh Governorate, three of them were benign and the others were malignant colon tumors. The results showed that there are (62%) increase in the specific activity of the enzyme in malignant than benign. The research also included an isolation and partial purification of XO using gel filtration chromatography from benign and malignant colon tumor tissues. The number of purification folds was (12) fold from benign and (17) folds from malignant. The molecular weight of XO was determined using gel filtration on sephadex G-100 and it was found to be (199000 ± 2000 , 191000 ± 2000) dalton from benign and malignant colon tumor respectively. The results also showed that the enzyme gave a maximum activity at (1.5×10 -4 M) of xanthine as a substrate and phosphate buffer at pH (8.5), temperature of (40/°C) and incubation time (6 minutes). Using linweaver-Burk plot, the Km was (2.5 × 10 -4 M) and Vmax was ( 7.1× 10 -5 ) U/ml. The research also shows an inhibition effect of some metal ions like Cu +2 , Hg +2 , Ag +2 (but not by Co +2 ) and some chemical compounds like N-acetyl cysteine, 1-phenl-3-pyrazolidinone on XO activity.
Field screening of some chickpea genotypes for their resistance against gram pod borer,Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner)

Among 20 chickpea genotypes, a wide range of variation observed in Helicoverpa armigera larval population (0.99 to 2.02 larvae per plant), pod damage (4.37 to 10.50 per cent), damage rating (1.17 to 1.75), trichome number (105.4 to 279.6 per 0.25 cm2) and grain yield (12.21 to 24.48 q per ha), respectively. The lowest larval population (0.99 per plant), pod damage (4.37 per cent), damage rating (1.17) and maximum trichome number (279.6 per 0.25 cm2) as well as grain yield (24.48 q per ha) was observed in JG-11 which indicates that it is resistant against H. armigera compared to resistant check i.e. ICCL-86111, due to its virtue of genetic potentiality. While the maximum larval population (2.02 per plant), pod damage (10.50 per cent), damage rating (1.75) and lowest trichome number (105.4 per 0.25 cm2) was observed in ICCV-95334, respectively; and lowest yield was recorded from the genotype, ICC-3137 (susceptible check) i.e. 12.21 q per ha . On basis of H. armigera larval population and pod damage, two chickpea genotypes viz., JG-11 (0.99 larvae and 4.37 per cent per plant) and ICCV-97105 (1.15 larvae and 4.91 per cent per plant) were found to be resistant against H. armigera.
FECUNDITY AND SUMMER CALF SURVIVAL OF MOOSE DURING 3 SUCCESSIVE YEARS OF WINTER TICK EPIZOOTICS

Moose ( Alces alces ) populations in northern New Hampshire and western Maine experienced 3 successive years of high winter tick infestations (epizootics) in 2014–2016 that resulted in late-winter calf mortality rates >70%. To assess productivity in these populations, we measured fecundity rates of yearling and adult cow moose, and neonatal and summer calf survival. Parturition, fecundity, and survival were measured via direct observation by stalking VHF and GPS radio-collared cows (n = 177) in May-August, 2014–2016. Calving rates for yearlings and adults averaged 0 and 57%, respectively; there was no twinning documented. Summer calf survival to August was high overall (83%), with 85% of the mortality occurring in the first week of life. Calving and twinning rates declined since last measured in New Hampshire in 2002–2005 and were below the North American average; conversely, summer survival of calves was considered normal. Given that optimal habitat has increased in the past 15 years in the study area that is dominated by commercial forestry, lower productivity is presumably related to the additive impacts of successive winter tick epizootics on year-round condition of cows.
Clinical Response to Anti–Programmed Death 1 After Response and Subsequent Progression on Anti–Programmed Death Ligand 1 Therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are rapidly becominga cornerstone in the treatmentofnon–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its two ligands, programmed death ligand1(PD-L1;B7H1)andligand2(PD-L2; B7-DC), negatively regulate T-cell activation, and expression of PD-L1 by tumor cells is an important mechanism of immune evasion. Multiple agents have been developed to disrupt tumor-associated immune evasion by targeting either PD-1 or PDL1. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab, both anti– PD-1 agents approved for advanced NSCLC progressing after chemotherapy, confer an overall survival benefit and produce response rates in 16% to 23% of unselected patients with NSCLC. Food andDrugAdministrationapprovalwasalsorecently extended to pembrolizumab in the first-line setting for patients with metastatic NSCLC expressing PD-L1. Atezolizumab, an anti–PD-L1 agent, has also demonstrated an overall survival benefit and has been approved for use in the second-line setting. The growing supply of treatment options has led to new questions of optimal sequencing and choice of therapy. In particular, the utility of serial treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors has not been established.
Genetic analysis of resistance to spot blotch disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Zambia

ABSTRACT Understanding the genetics of resistance to spot blotch disease, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem, is important to design an appropriate breeding strategy to improve the trait. The objective of this study was to determine the gene action and mode of inheritance of resistance to spot blotch in wheat. Eight genotypes with varying resistance to the disease were crossed in a full diallel mating design. Parents and their progenies were evaluated for spot blotch resistance. Data were analyzed using Hayman’s diallel analysis. The results suggested the importance of additive gene effects in controlling the resistance to spot blotch in the materials under study. No epistasis, maternal, or reciprocal effects were detected. Resistance to spot blotch exhibited partial dominance. Therefore, exercising selection for resistance in the early segregating generation should be an effective approach because of the predominance of additive gene effects. The Wr/Vr graph showed that the parents 30SAWSN5 (P3) and Coucal (P4) possessed more dominant genes, which makes them particularly suitable for inclusion in breeding for resistance to spot blotch.
Implications of tillage practices, management of soil surface and fertilizer application on sustainable dryland agriculture: A case study of Eastern Rwanda

Conservation agriculture (CA) is becoming popular in sub-Saharan Africa as potential solution to soil degradation. However, most findings are based on large scale, mechanized agricultural production systems which are not easy to apply within the smallholder farmer’s context. This study assessed the implications of tillage practices, management of soil surface and fertilizer application on sustainable dryland agriculture of Eastern Rwanda. The experimental design was Split Plot with 4 replications. The main plots were conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) and sub-plots were: Control, sole residues application (RR); residues application with inorganic fertilizers (RR+IF) and inorganic fertilizers (IF) applied alone. Inorganic fertilizers application increased bean grain and biomass yield by 103%. In no tillage inorganic fertilizers had higher maize grain and biomass yields whereas residues application had 68% higher maize grain and biomass yield in conventional tillage. The significant increase in organic carbon was observed in residues applied with inorganic fertilizers. There was a significant N decrease in all treatments however control and residues had the highest N pool compared to other treatments. Sole residues application and residues applied with inorganic fertilizers treatment increased significantly Available P. The use of inorganic fertilizers in conservation agriculture systems should be promoted as the engine toward successful of CA practices for Bugesera district conditions. These results provide a basis for conducting trade-off analyses to support the development of CA crop management and international development strategies based on available scientific evidence. Key words: Conservation agriculture, no tillage, residues management, Bugesera District.
Aflatoxigenic Fungi Associated with Some Medicinal Plants

Aim: A total of one hundred and forty four samples belonging to 48 kinds of dried medicinal plants collected from different markets in Mansoura city, Dakahlia governorate were examined for the natural occurrence of molds and aflatoxins. Methods: All the samples were analyzed for aflatoxin contamination using TLC and HPLC techniques. Results: There is a high occurrence of the various fungal population of the analyzed samples and their counts ranged between 5-100 colonies/g. Thirty six species and 1 variety belonging to 11 genera were isolated using standard potato dextrose agar plate method. The most heavily contaminated samples were observed in anise and linseeds in order of magnitude of 95 and 100 colony/g, while sumac, clove and cinnamon revealed no fungal contamination indicating their antifungal properties. The genus Aspergillus (91.7%) was encountered as the most frequent fungal genus recorded, followed by Penicillium (68.8%). The most frequent fungal species were Aspergillus niger , Penicillium chrysogenum , Aspergillus flavus var columnaris and Aspergillus flavus comprising 75%, 56.3%, 41.7% and 33.3% in their frequency of occurrence. Out of 151 isolates of Aspergillus flavus group isolated from various samples, 67 isolates (44.4%) were found to be toxigenic and their potential to produce aflatoxins was in the range of 0.1 to 818.2 ng/ml of culture filtrate. Of 30 medicinal plant samples screened, 19 samples (63.3%) were found contaminated with aflatoxins in the range of 1.5 to 724.6 ng/g. Conclusion: These results revealed that the selected medicinal plants are heavily contaminated with fungal strains and more strict measures must be taken to prevent mold contamination and hence aflatoxins production in medicinal plants.
Correlation of HER-2/neu Oncogene Expression And Grades of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder

ا : ا ا ا ا ا لأ HER-2/neu ا ا ن " # و % &'ا ( مر+ ا , ( -رد /% 0 ا ا1ه . #ارد 3 ( ٥٠ 67 8 % تا :% ا ا ن " # % ا ن+ آ ا<' 1 % ة 7> > ا ا+ < ا ٢٠٠٦ Aو آ 6 لوBا ن+ ٢٠١٠ ، Eهر أ 3 Aوا ( ' ٣٣ و ٨٢ ل< % /% H # ٥٧.٥ ،H # ٣٢ و آذ ١٨ 6 أ ، 7 L 3 6 إ , ا -رد N A ت ا ٩ % ت 6 وBا -ر< ا ٢٤ و ا -ر< ا % ١٧ ا+ ا 6 > ا -ر< ا % . ا #ار< ا ت QRأ لأ ( نأ ا HER-2/neu -+% ن آ ١٩ ) ٣٨ (% ا ا ن " # % ، آأ ن آو S T ا , ا تاذ ت ا ) ا -ر< ا ( و ي+ ا , ا تاذ ت ا H & #+ ا ) 6 وBا -ر< ا او . ( ل ا Vاو W <-+( H ا آ HER-2/neu , ا -رد /% ) W 7 أ > ٠. ٠٥ . ( 6> ل< % لأ نأ HER-2/neu ر 8 او > ا ا ا ن " # A E ( # #أ رود N > < < (و X ج > ' # ا هأ . Abstract:This study was conducted to estimate the overexpres sion of HER-2\neu oncoprotein in human transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and to sh w its possible correlation to the specific pathological parameters like grade of tumo r. We evaluated the available tissue blocks of 50 patients with transitional cell carcin oma who had referred to Al-diwaniya Hospital/ department of pathology in a period betwe n January 2006 and December 2010, 32 cases were male and 18 cases were female. The me an ag of the patients was 57.5 years (range from 33 to 82 years). The cases w ere classified according to the grading system into grade I, II, and III in 9, 24 and 17 cases respectively. From 50 cases of TCC, A total of 19 (38%) patients were po sitive for overexpression of HER2/neu oncogene, 12 (63.2%) cases of them with predominant membranous and cytoplasmic staining and 7 (36.8%) cases of them wi th cytoplasmic staining , there was no pure membranous staining. High histological gra des of the TCC were associated with increased expression of HER-2/neu, There was 1 (11%) case of HER-2/neupositive with a grade I tumor, 7 (29%) with grade I I, and 11 (63.7%) with grade III ( P =.002) There was a significant relationship in HER2/neu over expression with high grade of TCC.
Population fluctuations of gyrfalcon and rock ptarmigan: analysis of export figures from Iceland

We analysed harvest data for gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus and rock ptarmigan Lagopus mutus from Iceland with respect to regularity in fluctuations of numbers. The gyrfalcon data concerned live trapped birds exported to Denmark between 1731 and 1793, and totalled 4,848 falcons, including 4,318 grey, 156 half-white and 374 white colour morphs. According to contemporary sources grey birds were part of the local breeding population (islandus-type birds) but the other morphs represented mainly visitors from Greenland. This is also the current situation but some of the lightest Icelandic breeders could be classified as half-white. The rock ptarmigan harvest data concerned birds exported to Europe in the period 1864–1919, in total ca 3.3 million birds. The data series for white and half-white gyrfalcons were significantly correlated (r = 0.501, p < 0.001). The data series for grey and white morphs (r = -0.099, P = 0.445) and grey and the half-white morphs (r = -0.1183, P = 0.360), showed no correlation. Time series analysis showed that the white (candicans-type) morph fluctuated irregularly. The half-white morph behaved similarly but also showed some affinity with the grey morph, and could have represented a mixture of local breeders and Greenlandic winter visitors. Grey morph gyrfalcons and rock ptarmigan showed regular fluctuations in numbers with a 10-year periodicity. The reliance of Icelandic gyrfalcons on rock ptarmigan during the early part of the breeding season and in all phases of the ptarmigan cycle is well established and may offer a case for causal connections between the two cyclic populations.
Studies on Endophytic Fungi Associated with Medicinally Important Aromatic Plant Artemisia Nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. and Their Antagonistic Activity Against Phytophthora Infestans

Antagonistic activity of endophytic fungi associated with medicinally important aromatic plant Artemisia nilagirica was studied against the pathogen Phytophthora infestans that causes late blight of potato. The study has a dual purpose, firstly identification of endophytic fungi isolated from Artemisia nilagirica; secondly, to evaluate their antagonism against Phytophthora infestans using the dual culture method. Altogether 23 fungal endophytes were isolated from root, stem and leaf of which 14 fungal endophytes were isolated from roots, 10 from stem and 6 from leaf. Among the isolates, 4 fungal species, namely Trichoderma viride, Penicillium atrovenetum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides were selected to study the antagonistic effect against Phytophthora infestans. T. viride was found to have the highest percentage of inhibition of 67.0% followed by A. fumigates (59.6%), P. atrovenetum (56.7%) and C. cladosporioides (33.0%). Among the test organisms, a zone of inhibition was produced only by T. viride and P. atrovenetum. T. viride showed the maximum inhibition zone of 1cm against P. infestans while that of P. atrovenetum was 0.4cm. This study shows that out of the four test organisms, Trichoderma viride may be recommended as a good source of biocontrol agent against P. infestans the causal organism of potato late blight.
Carcass and meat quality characteristics of Bandur ram lambs

The present study was aimed at characterizing carcass and meat quality traits in Bandur/ Mandya ram lambs. Eighteen ram lambs were slaughtered at the age of six months by Halal method. The pre-slaughter weight (PSW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage based on PSW recorded were 13.49 ± 0.26 kg, 6.44 ± 0.14 kg and 47.77 ± 0.70 per cent, respectively. The mean loin eye area was 15.43 ± 0.64 cm2. The mean primal cut weights for leg, loin, rack, chuck, and breast and fore shank were 2.090 ± 43.35, 0.675 ± 29.40, 0.646 ± 28.82, 2.036 ± 47.35 and 0.601 ± 23.97 kg, respectively. The highest proportion of meat was recorded in leg (25.06%) and chuck (23.23%). The meat quality traits viz., pH, water holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force value, cooking loss and back fat thickness were 6.35 ± 0.05, 49.74 ± 3.33 per cent, 3.75 ± 0.14, 26.01 ± 2.19 per cent and 0.26 ± 0.02 cm, respectively. The mean percentage values for proximate principles viz., moisture, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, and total ash were 72.10 ± 0.38, 19.76 ± 0.34, 0.24 ± 0.03, 7.23 ± 0.47 and 1.01 ± 0.04 per cent, respectively. Compared to earlier reports higher loin eye area measurement was observed in the present study indicating higher muscular development in Bandur ram lambs.
Small Fish, Big Questions: Inquiry Kits for Teaching Evolution

Abstract Evolution education poses unique challenges because students can have preconceptions that bias their learning. Hands-on, inquiry approaches can help overcome preset beliefs held by students, but few such programs exist and teachers typically lack access to these resources. Experiential learning in the form of self-guided kits can allow evolution education programs to maximize their reach while still maintaining a high-quality resource. We created an inquiry-based kit that uses live Trinidadian guppies to teach evolution by natural selection using the VIST (Variation, Inheritance, Selection, Time) framework. Our collaborative team included evolutionary biologists and education specialists, and we were able to combine expertise in evolution research and inquiry-based kit design in the development of this program. By constructing the kits with grant funds slated for broader impacts and maintaining them at our university's Education and Outreach Center, we made these kits freely available to local schools over the long term. Students and teachers have praised how clearly the kits teach evolution by natural selection, and we are excited to share this resource with readers of The American Biology Teacher.
Microbiological Quality Assessment of Raw Meat and Meat Products, and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Isolated Staphylococcus aureus

The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of raw meat and processed meat products in Dhaka city and test the antibiotic susceptibility of the Staphylococcus isolates. A total number of 79 meat samples were categorized into two groups, viz., Group-1 meat (raw meat), collected from dif-ferent slaughter yards and meat stalls located in the commercial areas of Dhaka city and Group-2 meat (processed meat products), collected from ready-to-eat foods. Microbiological quality of the samples was determined by Total Viable Bacterial Count (TVBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), Total Salmonella and Shigella Count (TSSC), Total Staphylococcus aureus Count (TSAC) and Total Fungal Count (TFC). Hetero-trophic bacteria were recovered from all the meat samples but no Salmonella, Shigella were detected. As expected, some of the samples were found positive with Staphylococcus spp. and coliform. The statisti-cal analysis showed that the mean TVBC (log value/g) was significantly greater (P<0.05) in raw meat from Kawranbazar than all other meat samples studied. TVBC and TSAC exhibited regional significant variation (P<0.05), whereas TCC did not show any remarkable regional variation. Our present study reveals that the TVBC, TCC and TSAC of the meat samples were high in those commercial areas and pose potential risk for public health. From seventy nine samples, 35 isolates of S. aureus were obtained and identified by standard biochemical tests. All these isolates were tested for their sensitivity against common antibiotics used in Bangladesh. Percentage resistance of the S. aureus samples to penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin and neomycin were found to be 85.71%, 71.42%, 100%, 71.42%, 100% and 85.71%, respectively. But no resistance to vancomycin, bacitracin, cefaclor and ciprofloxacin was found in these isolates. The percentage of multidrug resistant (MDR, resistant against more than three antibiotics) staphy-lococci was 20%.
Mixotrophy in Chlorella sorokiniana : physiology, biotechnological potential and ecotoxicology

18 RESUMO.20 INTRODUCTION.22 General Introduction.23 Mixotrophy.23 Biotechnological aspects of mixotrophy in microalgae.25 Ecological aspects of mixotrophy in microalgae.28 Chlorella sorokiniana.30 References.33 OBJECTIVES.41 General Objective.42 Specific Objectives.42 Hypothesis.42 CHAPTER 1 – Comparative Study of Growth and Photosynthetic Responses of Chlorella sorokiniana (Chlorophyta) Under Photoautotrophic and Mixotrophic Conditions.45 Abstract.45. 45 Introduction.45 Material and Methods.49 Results.52 Discussion.58
Connection of milk flow curve to the somatic cell count in bovine milk

Abstract. The modern equipment introduction into cow milking created technical possibilities for studying the milk flow curve and for using the results in cattle selection. In preventing mastitis, besides curing, other parameters of the milk flow curve could be used preventively. Research showed that cows that had the milk flow curve with a short duration of increasing flow rate (dIFR ≤ 0.40 min) and a larger quotient between the peak and down phase (QPD > 1.20) had also the least somatic cell count in milk (LSCC = 3.47, and 3.30 respectively). Such relation is favourable because increasing the relation, the duration of quick and uniform milking extends, and the duration of peak flow rate shortens. That also show correlation coefficients which were between the logarithmic somatic cell count in milk (LSCC) on one hand and the peak flow rate (dPFR), that means the quotient of peak and down phase (QPD) on the other hand negative (r= −0.25** and –0.27**). Breeding-selective procedures could create bull fathers and mothers with the most desirable milk flow curve and the duration of certain milking phases, whereby the somatic cell count in milk would be the least. Therefore it would be necessary to define desirable proportions of the milk flow curve with a special attention to the cow’s health udder.