Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of indigenous Gossypium arboreum L. genotypes for various fiber quality traits.

Diploid cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) being an “Old World” cultivated cotton species, evolved in Indo-Pak subcontinent, has been known for conferring resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. To the extent of our knowledge, there is no comprehensive report available on the characterization of G. arboreum germplasm. Hence, the present study was conducted to characterize 26 G. arboreum genotypes by deploying univariate and multivariate analysis in 2010 at NIBGE, Faisalabad. All these genotypes were characterized for boll weight, GOT percentage, micronaire value, staple length, fiber bundle strength and uniformity index. Genotypic variation was significant (p<0.01) for all the analyzed traits except boll weight. Maximum boll weight (2.47g) was observed for genotype 23718. GOT ranged from 18.75% (Haroonabad) to 36.94% (DC-116). The finest fiber was obtained from synthetic (4.37 μg/inch) and this genotype also exhibited the higher values for staple length (23.81 mm) and fiber bundle strength (27.37 g/tex). Range for uniformity index was observed from 76.19% (Garohill) to 77.98% (212). Principal component analysis (PCA) exhibited that first five components accounted for >63% of the total variability. Cluster analysis identified four groups based on their agronomic properties. Significant relationships among different traits can be useful to select best genotypes having good fiber quality traits. These genotypes may prove a valuable resource to fuel the breeding efforts for not only broadening the genetic base of the newly developed material but can also add synergy to various cotton genomic projects.
Responses of alpine snowbed vegetation to long-term experimental warming1

Abstract: In order to assess the influence of experimental warming on individual species response, species composition and richness, and the abundance of ramets in a wet late-melting snowbed, we established 20 open-top chambers (OTCs) permanently for 5 y (six growing seasons) at Finse, southwest Norway. Salix herbacea, Saxifraga stellaris, Omalotheca supina, Cerastium cerastoides, and Epilobium anagallidifolium increased in the experimentally warmed plots, while there was no significant response in Carex lachenalii, Deschampsia alpina, Poa alpina, Juncus biglumis, Saxifraga rivularis, or Veronica alpina. Species composition changed significantly with time both in the OTCs and in the control plots. Although invasion rates slightly increased in the OTCs compared to the controls, differences in overall species composition or richness were not significant between the OTCs and the control plots during the 5-y study. Our results suggest that vegetation change is going on naturally and that the effect of this change overrides the effect of the temperature treatment. We conclude that increased plant growth will result in denser vegetation in a warmer future. Whether the higher net invasion will result in more diverse vegetation is yet unclear, as the processes take more time than allowed for in this study.
Physico chemical evaluation of coffee husk, wastes of enset (Enset ventricosum), vegetable and khat (Catha edulis) through vermicomposting employing an epigeic earthworm Dendrobaena veneta (Rosa, 1886)

The major objective of this 90 days vermicomposting work was to evaluate the performance of epigeic earthworms, Dendrobaena veneta, to alter and change four commonly dumped and littered solid wastes in Ethiopian cities and towns into a high quality vermicompost. The experiments were conducted in cylindrical plastic containers with 26 cm depth and 53 cm width under shade. All containers were perforated on the sides for aeration as well as bottom for leachate drainage purpose. The wastes were mixed with cow dung in 3:1 ratio and treated with D. veneta in the following waste and worm mass proportion: 9 kg of vegetable waste treated with 130 g of worms, 9 kg of enset waste treated with 130 g of worms, 5 kg of coffee husk treated with 70 g of worms, 8 kg of khat waste treated with 115 g of worms. Results from all beddings treated by this earthworm species show that total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) increased by 68 to 95%, total potassium (TK) increased between 51 and 76%, total phosphorus (TP) increased between 76 and 100% while total organic carbon (TOC) decreased between 35.3 and 38.5%, the C: N ratio reduced between 62 and 65.5% and considerable reduction was also observed in pH value of the final product. The findings from this experiment indicate that vermicomposting could be one good option to improve solid waste management performance of Ethiopian cities and towns through the production of excellent bio-fertilizer for agronomic purpose. Key words: Dendrobaena veneta, enset, Khat, vermicomposting.
Stress experience and coping style of practice nursing students in critical care medicine department: a qualitative study

Objective To explore the stress experience and coping style of practice nursing students in critical care medicine department, and to provide theoretical evidence for improving the quality of clinical nursing teaching. Methods A total of 17 practice nursing students were selected by purposive sampling, and the participants were interviewed by semi-structured depth interview. Data were analyzed using phenomenological approach. Results Four themes were extracted: obsession of hysteretic knowledge; strong body stress; negative emotional stress; multiple coping strategies. Conclusions Clinical nursing teachers should pay attention to the rational teaching methods and coping efficiency of the students so as to maintain their physical and mental health. Key words: Stress; Coping style; Qualitative study; Critical care medicine department; Practice nursing student
Drought Tolerance and Water Use of Cereal Crops: A Focus on Sorghum as a Food Security Crop in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces twin challenges of water stress and food insecurity – challenges that are already pressing and are projected to grow. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 43 % arid and semi-arid area, which is projected to increase due to climate change. Small-scale, rainfed agriculture is the main livelihood source in arid and semi-arid areas of SSA. Because rainfed agriculture constitutes more than 95 % of agricultural land use, water scarcity is a major limitation to production. Crop production, specifically staple cereal crop production, will have to adapt to water scarcity and improved water productivity (output per water input) to meet food requirements. We propose inclusion and promotion of drought-tolerant cereal crops in arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones of SSA where water scarcity is a major limitation to cereal production. Sorghum uniquely fits production in such regions, due to high and stable water-use efficiency, drought and heat tolerance, high germplasm variability, comparative nutritional value and existing food value chain in SSA. However, sorghum is socio-economically and geographically underutilized in parts of SSA. Sorghum inclusion and/or promotion in arid and semi-arid areas of SSA, especially among subsistence farmers, will improve water productivity and food security.
The prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in the diarrhoiec and non- diarrhoeic calves

Echantillons de feces provenant de 300 veaux diarrheiques et non - diarrheiques ont ete examines pour la presence des infections de Cryptosporidium. La prevalence de Cryptosporidium parvum a ete determinee en utilisant la methode de coloration de Ziehl Neelsen modifiee et le kit ELISA. Les veaux ont ete groupes selon leur âge comme suit : 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-45 et > 45 jours. La prevalence de l'infection chez les veaux diarrheiques et non diarrheiques etait respectivement 63.92 % et 9.85 %. L'infection a Cryptosporidium a ete detectee respectivement chez 50,75 %, 35,71 %, 25,45 %, 14,71 % et 13,24 % des veaux dans les groupes d'âge.
Production of Phenyl Lactic Acid (PLA) by Lactic Acid Bacteria and its Antifungal Effect

Phenyllactic acid (PLA) which is known as antimicrobial compound can be synthesized through the reduction of phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB producing PLA was isolated from Korea Kimchi and identified to Lactobacillus plantarum SJ21 by 16 rRNA gene sequence analysis. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) from L. plantarum SJ21 was assessed for both the capability to produce the antimicrobial compound PLA and the antifungal activity against four fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus oryzae, Botrytis cinerea, and Collectotricum aculatum). PLA concentration was investigated to be 3.23mM in CFS when L. plantarum SJ21 was grown in MRS broth containing 5mM PPA for 16 h. PLA production also could be promoted by the supplement of PPA and phenylalanine in MRS broth, but inhibited by the supplement of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid and tyrosine as precursors. Antifungal activity demonstrated that all fungal pathogens were sensitive to 5% CFS (v/v) of L. plantarum SJ21 with average growth inhibitions ranging from 27.32% to 69.05% (p -1 (2.11 mM) to 0.7 mg mL -1 (4.21 mM) at pH 4.0. The inhibition ability of CFS against the pathogens was not affected by heating or protease treatment. However, pH modification in CFS to 6.5 caused an extreme reduction in their antifungal activity. These results may indicate that antifungal activities in CFS were caused by acidic compounds like PLA or organic acids rather than proteins or peptides molecules.
Sex Differences in Some Physiological Effects of Cold Season or Short-Term Cold Exposure in Adult Albino Rat

Background: Cold exposure is a permanent part of human life. Response to cold varies according to different factors and individual differences. The main factors potentially differentiating thermoregulation in men and women are the properties of female physiology, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, social behavior and physical working capacity. Aim of the study: Detecting the effect of short term cold exposure or cold season on body weight, food consumption, and levels of TSH, T3 , T4 , insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Material and methods: This study was carried out on 96 adult albino rats of local strain, half of them were males and the other half were females. The animals were divided equally into two control groups (males and females), and four experimental groups (two males and two females). Each group was divided into two equal sub-groups (one for morning experiment where blood samples were collected at 7:00 a.m to 8:00 a.m., and one for night experiment where blood samples were collected at 700 p.m to 8:00 p.m.). Blood samples were taken at the end of experimental period (7 days) for determination of TSH, T3 , T4 , insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone and estrogen levels. Results: Exposure of the body to cold produced the physiological responses according to the degree of cooling. The more severe the exposure to cold, the more marked were the effects that can be observed in body heat balance. Thyroid hormones increased through release of hypothalamus to TRH which led to release of TSH from the pituitary gland. Cortisol increased through stimulation of HPA axis. Adrenaline increased through stimulation of sympathetic nervous system and led to vasoconstriction and increased the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue to be used as energy substrates for heat production. Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system during cold exposure led to decreased insulin secretion to increase blood glucose level which was used as a fuel for heat production. Activation of HPA was associated with increased progesterone hormone which has a role in thermogenesis. The increased needs for heat production in cold situations to keep body temperature constant led to increased food consumption, and the body weight showed no changes. This was because energy intake was used for heat production. Conclusion: Exposure to 4°C for 60 minutes for seven days cause significant increase in cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen, progesterone, insulin, T3 and TSH, while testosterone significantly decreased. Also, exposure to 15-17°C for seven days caused significant increase in cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen and progesterone, while testosterone hormone significantly decreased. No significant changes occurred in T4 and glucagon.
Photosynthesis of Tropical Pasture Plants III. Leaf Age

Grass and legume plants were grown under near-optimum conditions in controlled-environment cabinets. Changes in net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, and carbon dioxide transfer resistances during leaf ontogeny, and variability between leaves on grass tillers and legume runners were studied under controlled conditions in an open gas analysis system.
Common ectoparasite species of domestic dogs in western Iran.

: The present study aimed to investigate the intensity and distribution of natural infestation of ectoparasites in domestic dogs (shepherd, stray, house, hunting) throughout different seasonal variation between January 2006 and 2007 in Ilam province western Iran. Overall, 802 dogs in rural areas were examined for ectoparasites including fleas, ticks, lice and mite. Dog hairs were combed and their skin were rubbed with a piece of cotton soaked in ether to remove the ectoparasites. A total number of 1048 ectoparasites were collected. C. canis was the most predominant (29.5%), followed by R. sanguineus (27.5%), L. setosus (19.5%), C. felis (6.1%) and O. cynotiscanis (1.7%). A seasonal pattern was observed for ectoparasites prevalence in which gradually increased from April to July and then dropped with an onset in winter. The most frequent clinical symptoms were scratching (13.8%), flea allergic dermatitis (13.2%) and alopecia (7.9%). Dogs with dark or black hair had more ectoparasites than those with white/light hair. The ectoparasite activities were observed to be higher during nights compared to day light. Ectoparasites were significantly higher in dogs that were kept in soil or grass compared to those kept in cement or bricks. Ectoparasites were more observed in dog’s neck (31.6%). C. canis should be carefully considered in all veterinary controlling and preventive programs.
Species diversity of the genus Thalassiosira (Thalassiosirales, Bacillariophyta) in South Korea and its biogeographical distribution in the world

Abstract: Thalassiosira species are an important component of phytoplankton populations, and most species are considered cosmopolitan. Many authors have investigated the diversity of Thalassiosira species in order to understand their ecological roles in local areas. Our regional taxonomic study revealed the presence of 44 Thalassiosira species at 124 sites in Korean coastal waters. Of these, 14 species are newly reported in Korean waters and are described in detail with external and internal valve illustrations. Some morphologically confused taxa, such as the Thalassiosira s.s. group, T. curviseriata/T. tealata, T. simonsenii/Planktoniella blanda and T. proschkinae/T. spinulata, are clearly distinguished using additional morphological criteria. In addition, the full biogeographical distribution of Thalassiosira is described and compared with the Korean species. Korean waters seem to be the ‘Maginot Line’ for the cold- and warm-water Thalassiosira species. Knowledge of Thalassiosira species diversity will increase with more intensive work in relatively little-studied regions, such as the Indo-Pacific and tropical Atlantic Oceans.
Soil processes drive the biological silicon feedback loop

Summary Soil is the primary source of plant silicon (Si) and therefore a key reservoir of the Si biological cycling. Soil processes control the stock of Si-bearing minerals and the release of dissolved Si (DSi), hence the Si fluxes at the Earth's surface. Here, we review the interdependent relationship between soil processes and the return of plant Si in soils, and their controls on the biological Si feedback loop. Dissolution and precipitation of soil silicate minerals govern the bioavailability of Si. Plants affect Si biocycling through mineral weathering, root uptake, phytolith formation, return and dissolution in soil. Thus, soil processes and Si biocycling readily interact in soil–plant systems. Rock mineral weathering and soil formation are driven by the five soil-forming factors: parent rock, climate, topography, age and biota. These factors govern Si fluxes in soil–plant systems since they impact both the mineral weathering rate and fate of DSi. The variability of soil-forming factors at a global scale explains both the soil diversity and high variability of the rates of Si cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Plants play a crucial role in soil evolution by promoting weathering and forming phytoliths (plant silica bodies). They thus act as Si sinks and sources. With increasing depletion of lithogenic (LSi) and pedogenic (PSi) silicates, the biological Si feedback loop progressively takes over the Si plant uptake from weatherable LSi and PSi minerals. With rising weathering, the soil becomes increasingly concentrated in phytoliths, phytogenic amorphous silicates (PhSi), which are constantly formed in plant and dissolved in soil. Paradoxically, the Si biocycling is thus more intense in soils depleted in primary LSi source. By converting soil LSi and PSi into PhSi, plants increase the mobility of Si in soil and alleviate desilication in the topsoil. Non-essential plant Si is therefore an essential link between mineral and living worlds. The dynamics of Si in terrestrial ecosystems is thus largely governed by pedogenesis and its relationship with plant community and diversity. Consequently, the appraisal of soil constituents and processes is central to further understand their interaction with the biological Si feedback loop.
Changes in carbon storage with land management promoted by payment for ecosystem services

SUMMARY Andean grasslands (páramos) are highly valued for their role in regional water supply as well as for their biodiversity and large soil carbon stocks. Several Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programmes promote either afforestation or alteration of traditional burning regimes under the assumption that these land management strategies will maximize páramo ecosystem services, including carbon storage. However, knowledge of the effects of incentivized land uses is limited. In an evaluation of how afforestation and elimination of burning affect carbon storage at a site in southern Ecuador, we found the highest above-ground biomass carbon levels at afforested sites (99.3–122.0 t C ha−1), while grassland sites reached 23.9 t C ha−1 after 45 years of burn exclusion. Soil carbon storage from 0–20 cm was high across all sites (172.8–201.9 t C ha−1), but was significantly lower with afforestation than with burn exclusion. These findings suggest that, although afforestation is generally favoured when carbon is the primary ecosystem service of interest, grasslands with infrequent burning have important potential as a land management strategy when both above-ground biomass and soil carbon are considered. These results are relevant to the development and adaptation of PES programmes focused on carbon as well as those focused on multiple ecosystem services.
Molecular characterization of rubella virus nonstructural proteins and viral RNA synthesis

Rubella virus (RV) is a single-strand positive RNA virus. Its 9762-nucleotide (nt) genomic RNA contains two large open readings frames (ORFs) at the 5'and 3'-termini, encoding nonstructural and structural proteins, respectively. The nonstructural proteins (NSPs) are first translated as a 200-kDa polyprotein (p200), which undergoes a single proteolytic cleavage into pl50 and p90 by an intrinsic protease, the RV nonstructural protease (NS-pro). The purpose of this thesis work is to characterize RV NSPs and viral RNA synthesis at the molecular level, including the characterization of the RV NS-pro domains, the roles of NSPs in viral RNA synthesis, and the regulatory mechanism for viral RNA synthesis. RV NS-pro is an M-group papain-like cysteine protease (PCP) with both transand ciscleavage activities. Employing an in vitro translation system, I mapped the regions of NS-pro required for transand cisactivities, and demonstrated the importance of an X domain in rrarcs-cleavage activity. RV NS-pro catalytic region was also predicted to have a papain-like folding from primary and secondary structure analyses. The time course of RV RNA synthesis was precisely determined. Synthesis of negative-strand RNA stops after 10 h postinfection (hpi), and subsequently switches to highly efficient synthesis of positive-strand RNAs (genomic and subgenomic RNA). The roles of respective NSPs and the underlying regulatory mechanism for RV RNA synthesis were investigated by mutational analysis and complementation experiments. Processing of p200 was found to be crucial for virus replication. Uncleaved p200 was shown to be functional in negative-strand RNA synthesis but not for positive-strand RNA. In contrast, the complex formed by the ii cleavage products pl507p90 is not an active replicase for negative-strand RNA, but is required for the efficient generation of positive-strand RNAs. Syntheses of both negativeand positivestrand RV RNAs were found to be cw-preferential from complementation experiments. A mechanism for RV NSP translation, processing and RV RNA replication was proposed. Newly translated p200 functions in cis to synthesize a full-length negative-strand RNA. The subsequent processing of p200 into pl50/p90 converts this replicase into one with positivestrand RNA specificity, which functions in cis to produce genomic and subgenomic RNA efficiently.
The effect of biological and chemical additives on the chemical composition and fermentation process of Dactylis glomerata silage.

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition, silage quality and ensilability of ten cocksfoot cultivars using biological and chemical silage additives. The plant material was harvested from the first and second cut, cultivated at the Research Station of Fodder Crops in Vatin, Czech Republic. Wilted forage was chopped and ensiled in mini-silos with 3 replicates per treatment. The treatments were: 1) without additives, used as a control; 2) with bacterial inoculants; and 3) with chemical preservatives. The results indicated that the year factor (2012-2013) influenced significantly the chemical composition of the silage in both cuts. The use of biological inoculants reduced the content of crude fibre and acid detergent fibre; but it did not influence the content of neutral detergent fibre, in comparison with the control silage in both cuts. Furthermore, the application of biological inoculants reduced the concentration of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA) in contrast to the control silage in the first cut. Moreover, in the second cut the same values tended to be the opposite. Interestingly, ‘Amera’ was the unique variety that presented a high concentration of butyric acid (0.2%) in comparison with other varieties in the first cut. In conclusion, the biological inoculants had a favourable effect on silage fermentation. Notably, only ‘Greenly’ and ‘Starly’ varieties from the first cut; and ‘Greenly’, ‘Sw-Luxor’, and ‘Otello’ varieties from the second cut were appropriate for ensiling because their pH-values; LA and AA concentrations were ideal according to the parameters of the fermentation process.