Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sub-Chronic Effects of Gibberellic Acid Repeated Exposure on the Testis of Adult Albino Rats (Biochemical, Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study)

Objective: Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a plant growth regulator (PGR), largely used in agriculture in many countries including Egypt. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sub-chronic toxicity (8 weeks) of GA3 on testicular function and structure in adult albino rats, and to determine the effects of withholding of GA3 on the affected parameters for another 8 weeks of follow up period. Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were equally divided into four groups; the first group was used as a negative control, the second group received 1ml of 1N NaOH (positive control group), the third group received 75 ppm of GA3 daily in drinking water for 8 weeks (GA3 group), and the last group received the same treatment as the third group for 8 weeks then was left without any treatment for another 8 weeks (recovery group). At the end of the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and the testes were examined by light and transmission electron microscope for detecting the histopathological changes, examination of sperm viability & count and measuring testicular malondialdhyde. Testicular sections were examined immunohistochemically for the detection of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Results: In GA3 treated group, histopathological changes were in the form of regression in spermatogenesis using light microscope, while electron microscopic examination revealed apoptotic changes in the Leydig cells and distortion of the adluminal compartment. These changes were accompanied by significant elevation in testicular malondialdehyde, while Bcl-2 showed week immunoreactions in the layers of spermatids. After the 8 weeks of GA3 withholding, significant improvement in the testicular function and structure with improvement of Bcl-2 immunoreaction. Conclusion: From the previous results, it can be concluded that GA3 exposure can induce reversible toxic changes in the testes of adult albino rats on sub-chronic exposures.
Error analysis in the estimation of coral reef fish numbers from visual surveys

The study quantifies different sources of error in the visual censuses of 12 fish species on a fringing coral reef. Each species was censused 24 times within a period of four days. We assumed that in this narrow time window, true abundances of species were constant, and that the variation observed in the estimates was due to short-term environmental oscillations, inter-observer differences, and chance events. ANOVA revealed that the environmental variance in four species, inter-observer variance in three species, and chance variance in one species contributed most to the censusing results. In the remaining four species, the variance components were similar in magnitude. We conclude that identifying important sources of error variance, which allows for the informed correction of censusing methods, could increase the precision and comparability of density estimates.
Chemical structure of compression wood of Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra and P. brutia.

Chemical composition of normal wood and compression wood formed by different outdoor effects, in Pinus sylvetris L, Pinus nigra Arnold and Pinus brutia Ten was comparatively studied. In general, the amount of α-cellulose was found to be decrease in the compression wood. In European black pine and Turkish pine, α-cellulose decrease 4%; however, in Scots pine this ratio was 5%. To the contrary lignin content was increased approximately 5% in all species. Statistically, the amount of holocellulose in the compression wood of Scots pine and European black pine did not show any changes while, it was observed to decrease in Turkish pine. Hot water solubility values were found to be increased 1% in Scots pine and Turkish pine. This ratio was only 0.3% in European black pine. However cold water and alcohol solubility were found to be increased statistically only in European black pine and Scots pine. Compared to normal wood ash content was found to be more in compression wood.
THE EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC DOSES ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF BEANS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) IN VAN-GEVAŞ, TURKEY

This research was carried out in Van-Gevaş in 2015 and 2016 with three replications according to the Divided Parcel Trial Design that was divided into random blocks. The experiment involved 2 bean varieties (Aras-98 and Seker-90) x 4 phosphorus dose (0.0, 40.0, 60.0 and 80.0 kg ha) x 4 zinc dose (0.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 kg ha) x 3 repetition = 72 parcels were planned and examined. In the experiment, 4 different phosphorus (P) doses were applied to the subparcels as TSP (P2O5) fertilizer. and to gold sub-parcels 4 different zinc (Zn) doses were applied as zinc sulfate (ZnS04.7H20) fertilizer. Two bean varieties used in the study on the effect of phosphorus and zinc doses on plant height (cm), the number of pods per plant (units of plant), number of branches (plant), seed yield (kg ha), harvest index (%) and the effect of protein (%) on grain was also investigated. According to the results obtained in 2015 and 2016, the highest grain yield was obtained from Sugar90 beans. In the first year, the highest grain yield was obtained from 3380.00 kg ha and 40.0 kg ha phosphorus and 10.0 kg ha zinc, while in the second year 4250.70 kg ha was obtained in the same phosphorus and zinc dose. As a result, it has been determined that due to degradation in the phosphorus balance in soil, the efficiency of utilization of zinc in plants affects the yield and quality characteristics.
An Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Chlorella Vulgaris (Green Microalgae) on Egg Production of Japanese Quail

The present study was designed to evaluate the laying performance of Japanese quail fed Chlorella vulgaris algae containing diets. An experimental diet containing 5 levels of Chlorella vulgaris powder (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0%) from 6 to 13 weeks of age. A total number of 120 female quails were randomly divided into five dietary treatments (3 replicates of 24 birds per treatment) and reared under cage system. These existed significant improvement in egg production at 5 g C. vulgaris per kg of feed. In egg laying quails, C. vulgaris supplemented feed intake in 6-13 weeks of age at 5 g per kg of feed was found to improve egg production.
Why are plant pathogens under-represented in eco-climatic niche modelling?

Abstract Eco-climatic niche models are powerful tools for assessing the potential range of plant pests and pathogens, widely applied in comprehensive pest risk assessments globally. We conducted a bibliometric analysis comparing the number of CLIMEX models developed for plant pathogens and plant arthropod pests. We found that plant pathogens were statistically significantly under-represented, with fungal plant pathogens less than half as likely as plant insect pests to be the subject of a published CLIMEX niche model. We explore key factors that may account for this disparity, including inconsistent experimental paradigms and lack of cross-disciplinary (i.e., plant pathology and modelling) expertise.
PKCβ Promotes Vascular Inflammation and Acceleration of Atherosclerosis in Diabetic ApoE Null Mice

Objective—Subjects with diabetes mellitus are at high risk for developing atherosclerosis through a variety of mechanisms. Because the metabolism of glucose results in production of activators of protein kinase C (PKC)β, it was logical to investigate the role of PKCβ in modulation of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus. Approach and Results—ApoE−/− and PKCβ−/−/ApoE−/− mice were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin. Quantification of atherosclerosis, gene expression profiling, or analysis of signaling molecules was performed on aortic sinus or aortas from diabetic mice. Diabetes mellitus–accelerated atherosclerosis increased the level of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Jun-N-terminus kinase mitogen–activated protein kinases and augmented vascular expression of inflammatory mediators, as well as increased monocyte/macrophage infiltration and CD11c+ cells accumulation in diabetic ApoE−/− mice, processes that were diminished in diabetic PKCβ−/−/ApoE−/− mice. In addition, pharmac.
HLA-C-restricted presentation of a conserved bacterial epitope to an innate NK cell receptor

The killer-cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family, expressed mainly in natural killer (NK) cells, includes an activation receptor of unknown function, KIR2DS4. Here we show that KIR2DS4 is restricted by HLA-C*05:01 with a strong preference for tryptophan at position 8 of 9-mer peptides. ‘Self’ peptides with Trp8 eluted from HLA-C*05:01 are rare and only one out of 12 bound KIR2DS4. An HLA-C*05:01-peptide complex that bound KIR2DS4 was sufficient for strong activation of primary KIR2DS4+ NK cells, independently of coactivation by other receptors and of prior NK cell licensing. A highly conserved sequence in bacterial recombinase A, which is essential for DNA repair and survival, includes an epitope that bound to HLA-C*05:01 and activated KIR2DS4+ NK cells. Thus, in addition to their established role in defense against viruses and cancer, NK cells may have also evolved to detect and respond to hundreds of bacterial species through recognition of a conserved RecA epitope.
Testicular Morpho-histometry and Semen Quality of Three Strains of Chickens

A study was conducted to compare the testicular morphology and semen quality of three strains (FUNAAB-Alpha, ISA brown and Bantam) of chickens. A total of 45, thirty four week old cocks were used for the six months study. Semen samples were collected weekly by abdominal massage technique and semen volume, colour, pH, motility, percentage live, normal and sperm concentration were evaluated. Testes and Vas deferens were collected from all the cocks at the end of the experimental period and their gross morphological data recorded. Strain influenced (P< 0.05) gross testicular morphology. Weights of paired testes were 23.98, 23.23, and 11.80 g for the FUNAAB-alpha, Isa brown and Bantam, respectively. Testicular weight (paired, left, and right) and lengths were consistently lower (P< 0.05) for the Bantam. Testicular width was similar among the three strains. Gross motility was similar for the FUNAAB- alpha (79.82%) and ISA brown (81.18%) while the Bantam (54.63%) had the lowest (P< 0.05) mean. Sperm concentration was highest (P< 0.001) for the Bantam while the other two had similar values. It was concluded that the FUNAAB- alpha compared favourably with the ISA brown but was superior to the Bantam in semen quality and testicular morphology.
The effect of job characteristics on employee loyalty: the mediation role of vertical trust and perceived supervisory support

Although the effects of job characteristics on employee motivation and commitment are broadly researched, questions remain to the extent that job characteristics influence perceived specific attitudes and behaviours of employees. It is particularly interesting to what extent the process is reinforced by supervisors, namely through their support perceived by employees and vertical trust. Survey data were collected from 550 front-line employees across a variety of industries in Poland. A structural equation modelling analysis was performed to delineate the relationship between job characteristic and employee loyalty with the mediating influence of perceived supervisory support and the trust between the supervisor and employee, which is labelled as vertical trust. We confirmed that employees who have a strong job-role fit with the characteristics of their job will have a higher level of employee loyalty than those employees who lack a strong job-role fit. Furthermore, this relationship is enhanced by the perceived supervisory support and vertical trust. Few studies have been devoted so far to the relationship between job characteristic and loyalty, and even less have been conducted in Central and Eastern European countries. The findings of our study offer new perspectives to examine loyalty dimension. We propose to distinguish a construct labelled employee loyalty, that is oriented on both the organization and co-workers, and as such, it may be treated as a supplementary construct to OCBs’ organizational loyalty. Our study is one of a few that investigates the mediating role of vertical trust and perceived supervisory support in the relationships between job characteristics and loyalty. In the literature, the need to explore the mediating mechanisms between the effects of job characteristics and loyalty on employee behaviors has been repeatedly stressed, which we address with this research study.
A population synthesis study of the local white dwarf population

Abstract White dwarfs are natural cosmochronometers, and this allows us to use them to study relevant properties of the Galaxy, such as its age or its star formation rate history. Here we present a population synthesis study of the white dwarf population within 40 pc from the Sun, and compare the results of this study with the properties of the observed sample. We use a state-of-the-art population synthesis code based on Monte Carlo techniques that incorporates the most recent and reliable white dwarf cooling sequences, an accurate description of the Galactic neighborhood, and a realistic treatment of all the known observational biases.
Valorisation of egg shell ash as a potential replacement for lime in stabilization of expansive soils

Lime stabilization of expansive soils has been one of the oldest and most effective methods for improvement of poorly performing swelling soils. Addition of lime to expansive soils result in reduction in plasticity and swellshrink characteristics and improves strength of the stabilized soil [22]. However, a sift through literature reveals that lime stabilization has been found wanting under certain soil conditions like sulphate rich environments, conditions of alternate wetting and drying, freezing and thawing to name a few. In the recent years, a lot of focus has been put on the reuse of solid wastes in various streams of Civil Engineering for their effective management. Soil stabilization is one such avenue for effective reuse of solid wastes [16]. There have been a lot of investigations on the utilization of different types of solid wastes in soil stabilization. However, an effective replacement for lime is yet to be found despite its limitations. One pragmatic way of finding an effective replacement for lime is to adopt solid wastes similar to lime in chemical composition. Lime is an umbrella term adopted for quick lime (CaO), hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) and carbonate lime (CaCO3). Egg shell waste is one such waste material whose chemical composition is very similar to lime. The targeted egg production in India for the year 2020 is 106 billion [14]. Based on the calculation
Serum concentration of sex-steroids, endometrial expression of their receptors, and endometrial morphology during the estrous cycle in Bos taurus Criollo and crossbred cows

ABSTRACT Romosinuano (Romo) and Costeño con cuernos (CCC) are Bos taurus criollo breeds (adapted to the conditions of the tropics) that presented higher plasmatic Progesterone (P4) concentration during the luteal phase compared to non-adapted genotypes. The central hypothesis was that these P4 concentrations could modulate the uterine receptivity. Blood and endometrial biopsy samples were obtained on days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 of the estrous cycle (day 0 = estrus) of animals of different genotypes [Romo (n = 14), CCC (n = 14), and Crossbreed Brahman × Holstein (Cross, n = 13)]. Tissue-samples were used for morphometry and immunohistochemistry analyses. Data analyses were performed with Proc Mixed of SAS. The criollo breeds have higher P4 concentrations on days 5 and 15, higher values of superficial glandular area (all days) and density (days 0, 5, 10, and 15) than Cross cows (P < 0.05). ESR1 and PGR immunostaining were higher on days 0, 5, and 15 and on days 0 and 15, respectively for CCC and Romo when compared to Cross (P < 0.05). In conclusion, tropical adapted bovine breeds possess more receptive to embryo uterine environment than non-adapted breeds. This is mediated by a higher serum progesterone concentration, a strong P4 signaling, and greater developed uterine-gland morphology.
Transmission potential of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (race 65) in association with bean seeds under controlled conditions

Abstract: Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is one of the main diseases affecting common bean in Brazil, and field losses can reach 100%. Transmission of this pathogen from seeds to seedlings/plants may vary according to environmental conditions and initial inoculum levels, among other factors. The aim of this study was to quantify the transmission rate of C. lindemuthianum, race 65, from infected bean seeds to seedlings/plants under controlled conditions. Seed inoculation was performed by the water conditioning technique in order to obtain seeds with different inoculum potentials as a result of the exposure time of the seeds to the fungus in pure culture, with the potentials denominated P0, P36, P72, P108, and P144. Inoculated and non-inoculated seeds were individually sown and kept in growth chambers under two temperatures, 20 and 26 °C, for a period of 28 days. There was transmission of the pathogen in both asymptomatic and symptomatic plants. The highest total transmission rate (92%) occurred in plants originating from seeds exposed for 144 hours to the fungus at 20 °C.
Application of concatenable queue for parallel computational geometry algorithms

This paper is devoted to the development of an algorithmic model that solves a set of interrelated computational geometry problems efﬁciently. To do this, an algorithmic environment with a uniﬁed data structure is created, which allows to implement complex use cases efﬁciently with respect to required computational resources. We build the environment based on the “divide and conquer” strategy. Once a convex hull is a key to a set of computational geometry problems, we offer a concatenable queue data structure to maintain it. The data structure is in the form of a modiﬁed balanced binary tree. This allows us to perform operations needed in algorithms for a set of problems in O ( log 2 n ) time. Furthermore we offer a way to execute the algorithms both sequentially and in parallel. In the future the algorithmic environment can be improved to support other computational models with similar properties for solving problems. As an example, the Voronoi diagram or the Delaunay triangulation can be considered.
Evaluation of papaya genotypes using agronomic descriptors and estimation of genetic parameters

: In Brazil, the improvement of papaya agribusiness is correlated to the estimation of genetic parameters and evaluation of agronomic descriptors; thus enabling less favourable areas for the development and implementation of papaya crops. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate quantitative descriptors and to estimate genetic parameters in genotypes of papaya grown under subtropical climate in the state of São Paulo. The experimental design was randomized in block. The experimental units were grouped into seven blocks of five plants each and three treatments, which consisted of three different varieties: Sunrise Solo, Tainung nº1 and local. The psychochemical properties were analysed for plant height; intersection height of first fruits; stem diameter; male, female and hermaphroditic flower percentage; fruit number per plant; production; yield; normal fruits percentage, carpeloid and pentandric fruits; pulp matter; pulp length; pulp diameter; pulp shape; pulp cavity; pulp thickness; peel performance; pulp performance; seeds performance; seeds number; soluble solids; pH; titratable acidity; ratio; technological index; ascorbic acid and reducing sugars. Furthermore, most agronomic descriptors showed high heritability; besides that, the varieties Sunrise Solo and Tainung nº1 performed the best results in Botucatu.
Sesame Yield Response to Deficit Irrigation and Water Application Techniques in Irrigated Agriculture, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research Center, Addis Ababa, for two years, 2013 and 2015, during main seasons and for three years, 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15, during the cool period cropping season (November to February) as in the local cropping calendar. The study was aimed at identifying optimum soil moisture stress for sesame and thereby determining appropriate water-saving irrigation methods and also productivity under limited water resource conditions. Nine treatments with three levels of irrigation water percentage based on evapotranspiration of the crop (ETc) (100% ETc, 75% ETc, and 50% ETc) and three types of furrow irrigation methods (alternate furrow, fixed furrow, and conventional furrow) were used. The study design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The yield of sesame had significant (p<0.05) variation among treatments due to deficit irrigation levels and application methods for sesame planted in main seasons. The highest mean yield of 937.50 kg/ha and 2797.6 kg/ha was obtained from the treatment of 50% ETc with alternate and conventional furrow application methods in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The combined mean yield of two years (2013–2015) showed different levels of deficit irrigation, and irrigation methods had a significant effect (p<0.05) on main season planted sesame. Hence, the highest mean yield of 1846.7 kg/ha was obtained from the application of 50% ETc with the conventional furrow application method. In the cool planting season, the highest mean yield of 528.55 kg/ha, 1432.3 kg/ha, and 1562.5 kg/ha was obtained from treatments of 50% ETc, 75% ETc, and 100% ETc with the conventional furrow application method in 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15, respectively. Moreover, during the same period over years, combined analysis showed that the highest mean yield of 1053 kg/ha was obtained from application of 100% ETc with the conventional furrow application method. Thus, it is concluded that a deficit irrigation treatment of 50% ETc with the conventional furrow application method for main season and application of 100% ETc with the conventional furrow application method for cool planting season are best practices of water-saving strategies for irrigated agriculture system.
Chl a fluorescence and proteomics reveal protection of the photosynthetic apparatus to dehydration in tolerant but not in susceptible wheat cultivars

Seedlings of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Ethos and Zebra, differing in drought tolerance were dehydrated to reach a water saturation deficit (WSD) in leaves ~15, 30, and 50 %. Ethos, the drought tolerant cultivar, dried slower in comparison with Zebra and regrew in 70 % upon rehydration. The effect of dehydration on photosystem II was evaluated by Chl a fluorescence (OJIP transients). The inflection point of double normalized curves (ΔWOJ) calculated for Ethos was negative for seedlings with 15 % WSD, nearly zero for those with 30 % WSD, and about +0.05 for those with 50 % WSD. In case of Zebra, the 15 % WSD already induced a positive ΔWOJ (+0.05) and 50 % WSD maximized it to +0.10, which is a sign of drought susceptibility. The proteomic studies revealed, that among identified 850 spots, 80 protein spots were differentially expressed during dehydration. The differentially expressed proteins of the drought tolerant cultivar indicated the protection of the photosynthetic apparatus and proteome rebuilding in response to drought. In the drought susceptible cultivar, protection of proteins and membranes and partial scavenging reactive oxygen species appeared.