Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotype by environment interactions, stability, and heritability of seed yield and certain agronomical traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

This research was aimed to (1) evaluate genotypic yield performances of eight soybean genotypes, (2) determine their stability parameters and (3) estimate variance components and heritabilities of yield and yield-related traits. Eight soybean genotypes were evaluated in two locations (Mustafakemalpasa and Gorukle) of Southern Marmara Region, Turkey during two years (2000 and 2001), to identify patterns of genotype by environment interactions and their stabilities in terms of seed yield and yield-related components. Seed yield and its components are affected by plant genotype and environmental conditions. Plot data for plant height, first pod height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were observed at all the four trials. There were significant differences between genotypes of one or two years at each location for all the traits. Significant differences among years or between locations were obtained in terms of all traits. Genotype x environment interactions at all the traits were highly significant. Thus the stabilities of eight soybean genotypes were different for all the traits. According to the stability parameters, none of the genotypes were stable for seed yield. Genotypes, Hodgson-78, A-3127, Ataem-1, Corsoy and SA-88 were considered as having high adaptability to good environments while Mitchell, Ataem-2 and Etae-8 adapted to poor conditions in terms of seed yield. Genetical components of variance at all the traits were highly significant. Genotype x location x year interaction variances were also found significant at all the traits except first pod height. The estimates of heritabilities with limited phenotypic variance definition were 0.14, 0.14, 0.21, 0.004, 0.13, 0.30 and 0.26 for plant height, number of seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, first pod height, number of seeds per plant, number of pods per plant and seed yield, respectively. The heritabilities with complete phenotypic variance definition were 0.05, 0.05, 0.04, 0.003, 0.07, 0.19 and 0.20 for the same traits, respectively. Moderate or low heritabilities estimated for all the traits showed that family selection method could be used instead of individual selection in the breeding programs for improving seed yield and its components.
The efficacy of live infectious bursal disease vaccines in commercial 10 days old chicks.

The efficacy of four infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccines including intermediate (D78) and intermediate plus (228E, IBD-Blen and Bursa-Vac+) were compared in priming vaccination of 10 days commercial old male layer chicks. There were different parameters were measured for testing these vaccines including; the immunogenic efficacy, the effect on performance, organ (bursa, spleen, and proventriculus) body weight index as well as histopathological examination of bursa, spleen, proventriculus and thymus. Chick was received a dose of 10 EID50 from one IBDV vaccine out of 228E, IBD-Blen or Bursa-Vac+, while D78 dose was 10 EID50. The results cleared out that all the tested vaccines passed through the maternal derived antibodies 2480.133 + 156.3. All vaccines stimulate antibody formation as measured by ELISA test. The used vaccines not affect markedly body weight and feed intake, as there were no significant differences between the control group and the vaccinated ones in the mean body weight and the feed conversion rate. Furthermore, the bursa: body weight index of vaccinated groups were generally less than those of control one at all intervals, while the spleen and proventriculus: spleen: body weight index of vaccinated groups was higher than control on at the end of the observation period. The used vaccines induced histopathological changes in bursa, spleen, proventriculus and thymus glands. These results indicated that all tested vaccine are of value in vaccination of commercial chicks from vaccinated breeders.
Modifying thioredoxin expression in cereals leads to improved pre-harvest sprouting resistance and changes in other grain properties

Abstract Thioredoxins (Trxs) are widely distributed, small proteins that function in redox regulation in a broad spectrum of cellular reactions. Experimental work with barley, wheat and a legume (Medicago truncatula) has established thioredoxin h (Trx h) as a central regulatory protein in seeds, reducing disulphide (S–S) groups of diverse seed proteins, including storage proteins, enzymes and enzyme inhibitors. Trxs appear to be particularly important in plants, as a large number of genes are present compared to mammalian organisms. In Arabidopsis thaliana there are approximately 20 different genes for classical Trxs, and large Trx gene families have also been found in cereals, such as rice, barley, wheat and sorghum. Extensive evidence indicates that adding Trx, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and NADP-thioredoxin reductase (NTR) to cereal flour or seed preparations reduces disulphide (S–S) linkages of storage proteins. The early in vitro studies have been complemented with transgenic barley seed, overexpressing Trx h in protein bodies of the barley endosperm, which showed accelerated germination and early or enhanced expression of associated enzymes, i.e., α-amylase and pullulanase. Overexpression of Trx h levels in wheat was subsequently shown to (1) enhance protein solubility and digestibility, (2) reduce allergenicity of wheat gliadins, and (3) improve dough quality from poor-quality wheat flour. Most recently, we have demonstrated that down-regulation in wheat of Trx h9, a unique thioredoxin, leads to a reduction in the incidence of pre-harvest sprouting, demonstrated in several varieties over multiple generations with field-grown material. Yield and starch content were increased while baking quality in the high-gluten variety remained unchanged. These observations led to the intriguing question of how changes in the endosperm are communicated to the embryo. Studies of Trx h9, a membrane-associated Trx h that can move from cell to cell, provide suggestive evidence for a role of Trx h9 in intercellular communication of redox state.
Assessment of agronomic performance and heterosis for agronomic traits in hybrid high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR)

Twelve genetically diverse and geographically distinct high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) Brassica napus L. cultivars/lines were selected and crossed by hand emasculation in a topcross design to produce 45 F1 hybrid combinations. Seven of the twelve parents were HEAR cultivars/lines developed by the University of Manitoba (UM) and the remaining five parents were proprietary European (EU) HEAR cultivars/lines. Adequate seed was produced to evaluate the hybrids and parents in replicated yield trials in six environments in Manitoba during 2004 and 2005. Vigor, days to first flower, days to maturity, lodging, plant height, and seed yield were assessed. The hybrids were generally more vigorous, taller and more lodging resistant than their parents with similar days to first flower and days to maturity as their earlier parents. The best hybrids in this study displayed high parent heterosis for seed yield of up to 143% and commercial heterosis for seed yield of up to 99%. These hybrids were from the most geneticall.
PARASITIC FLOWERING PLANTS ON CULTIVATED PLANTS IN JORDAN-THE PRESENT STATUS AND MANAGEMENT

Parasitic flowering plants are problematic species, posing high concern to farmers, and potential threat to agriculture and forestry in Jordan. Recent field research revealed the occurrence of 8 parasitic genera belonging to 6 plant families in the country. Parasitic plants found belong to the families Orobanchaceae (Orobanche and Cistanche), Cuscutaceae (Cuscuta), Santalaceae (Osyris and Thesium), Cynomoriaceae (Cynomorium), Viscaceae (Viscum) and Loranthaceae (Loranthus). Parasites were found attacking a wide host range of plants of wild herbs, field crops, forage plants, rangeland shrubs and forest and fruit trees. They are spread in different biogeographical regions with clear variations in their ecological tolerance. Many of the hosts recorded and certain parasitic species are reported for the first time. Possible management of these parasites based on recent research findings, some recommendations and experiences of local farmers are discussed.
APPARENT PREDATION BY CATTLE AT GRASSLAND BIRD NESTS

Abstract We document the first cases of cattle behaving as avian predators, removing nestlings and eggs from three active ground nests in continuously grazed pastures in southwestern Wisconsin, 2000–2001. Cows removed three of four Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) eggs from one nest (the fourth egg was damaged), all four Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) nestlings from another, and all three Savannah Sparrow nestlings from a third. We found only two of three missing eggs (intact) and one of seven missing nestlings (dead) near two of the nests. Cows may have eaten the egg and nestlings we were unable to account for; alternatively, the egg and nestlings may have been scavenged by predators or removed from the area by the adult birds. Without videotape documentation, we would have attributed nest failure to traditional predators and cattle would not have been implicated. We may be underestimating the impact of cattle on ground nests by not considering cattle as potential predators.
Sarcopenia and high NLR are associated with the development of hyperprogressive disease after second‐line pembrolizumab in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer

The aim of this multi‐center retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of hyperprogressive disease (HPD) after second‐line treatment with pembrolizumab in patients (n = 167) with metastatic non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors expressed programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in ≥ 1% and to search for hematological and imaging biomarkers associated with its development. Prior to chemotherapy, neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (NLR1) and platelet : lymphocyte ratio (PLR1), and prior to immunotherapy, NLR2 and PLR2 were retrospectively analyzed. The psoas major muscle area (PMMA) was calculated at the L3 position on computed tomography before chemotherapy (PMMA1) and before immunotherapy (PMMA2) (n = 112). Patients with ∆PMMA (1‐PMMA2/PMMA1) × 100 ≥ 10% were considered to have sarcopenia (low muscle mass). After treatment with pembrolizumab on the first computerized tomography (CT) scan evaluation, patients were subdivided as follows as: hyperprogressors (HPs), progressors (Ps), non‐progressors (NPs) and pseudoprogressors (PPs). HPs had significantly higher ∆PMMA levels, NLR2 and PLR2 than the other patients. Moreover, in multinomial logistic regression analysis, higher levels of ∆PMMA were associated with a decreased likelihood of being a P [odds ratio (OR) = 0·81; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·65–0·99; P = 0·047] or an NP (OR = 0·76; 95% CI = 0·62–0·94; P = 0·012) versus an HP. Higher NLRs tended to decrease the likelihood of being a P versus an HP (OR = 0·66; 95% CI = 0·42–1·06; P = 0·09) and significantly decreased the likelihood of being an NP versus an HP (OR = 0·44; 95% CI = 0·28–0·69; P < 0·0001). Our data suggest that a high pre‐immunotherapy NLR2 and the presence of sarcopenia are potential risk factors for the development of HPD.
Clinicopathologic and Longitudinal Imaging Features of Lung Cancer Associated with Cystic Airspaces: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces (LC-CAS) is an uncommon morphology that is under recognized on imaging. There is also limited understanding of its underlying pathology and risk factors. These can contribute to delays in diagnosis. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched for and included published research reporting the clinical, pathological and imaging features of LCCAS. Pooled analysis of continuous and categorical data with respect to patient clinical characteristics, tumor pathology and underlying driver mutation, and CT imaging features and temporal evolution of these features was performed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS The analysis included 8 original observational studies with 341 combined patients with LC-CAS (weighted mean age: 61.8 years, range: 30-87 years; 135 women and 206 men). Most patients were current or previous smokers (127/192, 66.1%). The most common histology was adenocarcinoma (289/328, 88.1%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (30/328, 9.1%). The most common driver mutations were EGFR (46/122, 37.7%) and KRAS (21/122, 17.2%). The cysts in LC-CAS commonly had non-uniform (104/114; 91.2%) and thick (83/222; 37.4%) walls, had irregular margins (53/142; 37.3%), and were unilocular (173/272; 63.6%). Most LC-CAS had a nodular component (210/328; 64.0%). Over time, most LC-CAS had development or enlargement of the nodular component (61/89, 68.5%), approximately half (43/89, 48.3%) had interval wall thickening, and a minority evolved into completely solid lesions (11/89, 12.4%). The cystic component was observed to increase (36/89, 40.4%), decrease (28/89, 31.5), or remain stable (24/89, 27.0%) in size. CONCLUSION Lung cancer associated with cystic spaces is most commonly adenocarcinoma and can be seen in both smokers and non-smokers. The cysts associated with lung cancer demonstrate wall thickening and mural nodularity, which may evolve over time. LC-CAS can be indolent, and long-term surveillance with imaging should be considered if not resected. Clinical impact: Familiarity with the imaging features and temporal evolution of LC-CAS can minimize delays in diagnosis of lung cancer. Future management guidelines should include protocols for follow up and management of cystic lung lesions identified during diagnostic and lung cancer screening CT.
Seasonal fluctuations of resource abundance and avian feeding guilds across forest–farmland boundaries in tropical Africa

Seasonal fluctuations in climatic factors are expected to increase in future decades. However, little is known about the response of tropical species communities to seasonal fluctuations in climate and resource availability, particularly across different habitat types. We examined the relationship between spatio-temporal fluctuations in the abundance of fruits and invertebrates and two avian feeding guilds, i.e. frugivores and insectivores, in forest and farmland habitats in western Kenya. Fruits and invertebrates fluctuated substantially throughout the year, but seasonal fluctuations were asynchronous between the two habitat types. Species richness and total abundance of frugivores and insectivores also fluctuated strongly and were closely related to the abundance of their respective resources. Frugivore species richness fluctuated anti-cyclical in forest and farmland habitats, suggesting that several frugivorous species tracked fruit resources across habitat boundaries. In contrast, insectivorous bird richness fluctuated synchronously in the two habitat types, suggesting a lack of local-scale movements across habitat boundaries. We conclude that bird communities strongly respond to seasonal fluctuations in resource availability, but responses differ between feeding guilds. While frugivores seem to respond flexibly to seasonal fluctuations, for instance by tracking fruit resources across habitat boundaries, insectivorous birds appear to be more susceptible to the expected increase in seasonal fluctuations in resource availability.
A multitrophic perspective on functioning and evolution of facilitation in plant communities

Summary 1. Plant facilitation has been studied mostly in the context of plant-plant interactions, whereas multitrophic interactions including those that occur below ground have not yet received much attention. Here, I will discuss how above-ground and below-ground natural enemies and their pre dators influence plant facilitation and its evolution. 2. Specific above-ground and below-ground plant enemies and their predators play a major role in structuring the composition and dynamics of plant communities. In successional sequences, above ground and below-ground multitrophic level interactions may tip the balance from competitive to facilitative states and vice versa. 3. Little is known about how above-ground and below-ground multitrophic interactions develop along resource or stress gradients and how the outcomes of above-ground-below-ground interac tions depend on variations in these environmental conditions. 4. Facilitated plants need to fit into the above-ground-below-ground multitrophic communities of their facilitators. 5. Little is known also about the evolution of plant facilitation. The observed distance in phylogeny between facilitators and facilitated plants suggests that host-specific enemies may very well co-deter mine which species become facilitated by which facilitators. 6. Further, very little attention has been given to how plant strategies (allelopathy, accumulation of enemies, monopolization of symbionts) may be the result of selection against being facilitative. 7. Synthesis. Plant facilitation cannot be understood without considering a plant's natural enemies and also its enemies' enemies. Plant enemies can turn competitive interactions into facilitative inter actions, whereas the enemies' enemies can turn facilitation back into competition. Below-ground interactions will have longer-lasting effects on facilitation than those above ground, because many organisms can persist in the soil, even when the host plants have disappeared.
Time dependent effects of graded levels of Fusarium toxin contaminated maize in diets for female piglets

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of the Fusarium toxins zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in diets for female piglets during 29 days of treatment on the development of performance, organ weights, clinical serum characteristics, differential blood counts and vulva morphology. For this purpose, 120 female weaned piglets with an initial mean bodyweight of 8.9±1.6 kg, were assigned to 5 feeding groups (n=24). The piglets of groups 1 to 5 received diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% naturally contaminated maize instead of control maize, resulting in 0.01, 0.05, 0.08, 0.17 and 0.29 mg ZEA/kg, and 0.03, 0.59, 1.27, 2.01 and 4.52 mg DON/kg feed, respectively. After 1, 3, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days, 20 piglets (four piglets from each group) were slaughtered. Animals of group 5 consumed at least 20% less feed than animals of the other feeding groups. Body weight gain was significantly reduced in group 5 in the last week compared to group 2 and 3. Relative visceral organ weights were not affected by the treatments, but they mostly showed some minimal time dependent alterations. Uterus weights tended to be decreased in group 5 on day 15 of the experiment. Though not significant, signs of hyperoestrogenism such as swelling of the vulva became more pronounced with increasing time of exposure. Histopathological examination of organ specimens did not reveal any toxin related lesions. Total leukocytes, differential blood count and stimulation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were not affected by the diet, however, the proportion of lymphocytes increased while neutrophils decreased during the experiment independent of treatment. Clinical chemical serum characteristics were not affected by the treatments, however, they were somewhat affected by time. In conclusion, the dose related effects of ZEA and DON on performance and signs of hyperoestrogenism seemed to be dependent on exposure time.
Using video modelling to teach culture-specific dressing skills

ABSTRACT The importance of cultural factors in Applied Behaviour Analysis has gained recent attention. In the present study, video modelling was used to teach participants with autism a culture-specific dressing skill, how to wear ghutra and agal, the traditional Emirati head garment. A multiple probe across participants design was used with baseline, video modelling training, and post-intervention phases. During training, participants watched a video model and then completed the skill according to a task analysis. No reinforcement or correction procedures were used. Two participants acquired the seven-step chain using video modelling. One participant failed to accurately complete one step. For this participant, a remediation procedure, including prompting and Teaching with Acoustical Guidance (TAGteachTM), was used to shape the response topography for this step. With the addition of remedial training, the participant met mastery criterion. A social validity survey showed that the skill was relevant and the video modelling procedure was acceptable.
The vortex wake of a ‘hovering’ model hawkmoth

Visualization experiments with Manduca sexta have revealed the presence of a leading-edge vortex and a highly three-dimensional flow pattern. To further investigate this important discovery, a scaled-up robotic insect was built (the 'flapper') which could mimic the complex movements of the wings of a hovering hawkmoth. Smoke released from the leading edge of the flapper wing revealed a small but strong leading-edge vortex on the downstroke. This vortex had a high axial flow velocity and was stable, separating from the wing at approximately 75 per cent of the wing length. It connected to a large, tangled tip vortex, extending back to a combining stopping and starting vortex from pronation. At the end of the downstroke, the wake could be approximated as one vortex ring per wing. Based on the size and velocity of the vortex rings, the mean lift force during the downstroke was estimated to be about 1.5 times the body weight of a hawkmoth, confirming that the downstroke is the main provider of lift force.
Glucocorticoid control of gene transcription in neural tissue

Glucocorticoid hormones exert modulatory effects on neural function in a delayed genomic fashion. The two receptor types that can bind glucocorticoids, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), are ligand-inducible transcription factors. Therefore, changes in gene expression most likely underlie glucocorticoid-mediated genomic effects on neural function. In this thesis, the central aim was to gain more insight into the transcriptional changes that mediate the effects of acutely activated GRs on neural function. Two different biological substrates i.e. ex vivo hippocampal slices and neuronal catecholaminergic PC12 cells, were used to measure the transcriptional response after GR-activation. Using microarrays, an interesting time-dependent pattern of gene transcription was observed, shifting from exclusively downregulated genes 1 hour after GR-activation to both up and downregulated genes 3 hours afterwards. This pattern suggests that the fast genomic effects of glucocorticoids may be realized via transrepression, preceding a later wave of transactivation. Additionally, many new candidate genes were found that could potentially underlie (part of) the effects glucocorticoids mediate on hippocampal and catecholaminergic neuronal function. Hence, these candidate genes can be used to formulate new hypotheses on how glucocorticoids affect neural function and future research should therefore focus on testing these hypotheses.
Comparative studies of perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot as food for the calf

1. Perennial ryegrass (S. 23 and S. 24 sown together) and cocksfoot (S. 37 and S. 143 sown together) were compared in grazing and individual feeding experiments during the summer months of 1960, 1961 and 1962, using spring-born calves. 2. Herbage samples indicated that more grass was available to the animals grazing on ryegrass than on cocksfoot in 1961 but no differences were found in 1962. The ad lib. method of feeding should have ensured that quantity did not affect the results in the feeding experiments.