Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of growth hormones in chillies – A review

The discovery of plant growth substances has proved revolutionary in increasing the production of horticultural crops. The great potentialities of various plant growth substances for maximizing vegetative growth, yield and quality of chilli have been emphasized. Further, these can also be used for the production of polyploidy and male sterility to overcome interspecific incompatibilities and for economic hybrid seed production. This paper reviews the research work done in India on the use of various plant growth substances in chilli production.
The relationship between morphology and behavior in mixed‐species flocks of island birds

Abstract Understanding how co‐occurring species divide ecological space is a central issue in ecology. Functional traits have the potential to serve as a means for quantitatively assessing niche partitioning by different species based on their ecological attributes, such as morphology, behavior, or trophic habit. This enables testing ecological and evolutionary questions using functional traits at spatio‐temporal scales that are not feasible using traditional field methods. Both rapid evolutionary change and inter‐ and intraspecific competition, however, may limit the utility of morphological functional traits as indicators of how niches are partitioned. To address how behavior and morphology interact, we quantified foraging behavior of mixed‐species flocks of birds in the Solomon Islands to test whether behavior and morphology are correlated in these flocks. We find that foraging behavior is significantly correlated with morphological traits (p = .05), but this correlation breaks down after correcting for phylogenetic relatedness (p = .66). These results suggest that there are consistent correlations between aspects of behavior and morphology at large taxonomic scales (e.g., across genera), but the relationship between behavior and morphology depends largely on among‐clade differences and may be idiosyncratic at shallower scales (e.g., within genera). As a result, general relationships between behaviors and morphology may not be applicable when comparing close relatives.
Kultur antera padi pada beberapa formulasi media yang mengandung poliamin Rice anther culture in media containing polyamines

The low number of green plantlets among the regenerated plants derived from anther culture may affect the use of anther-derived haploids in breeding program of cereals. Polyamines are plant-growth substances consisting of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. They act mainly in processes of cell division, with a broad spectrum of effects on various plant tissues. The objective of this research was to obtain kind and concentration of polyamines most efficient in green plant regeneration in rice anther culture. Taipei 309 was used as anther source. The treatments were consisted of control (N6 medium without polyamines), N6 medium + 10 -4 M or 10 -3 M putrescine, N6 medium + 10 -4 or 10 -3 M spermidine, and N6 medium + 10 -4 or 10 -3 M spermine. The results showed that all three polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, or spermine) were capable in increasing number of calli, number of responding calli, number of green and total plants, ratio of green plants to number of responding calli, and percentage of green plants to number of anther inoculated. However, putrescine was more efficient than spermidine and spermine in increasing callus induction and green plant regeneration in rice anther culture of Taipei 309. The best concentration to increase green plant regeneration was 10 -3 M.
Effects of metal ions on activity of NAGase from Tenebrio molitor Linneeus

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase(NAGase,EC 3.2.1.30) from Tenebrio molitor Linneeus is obtained by extraction and ammonium sulfate fractionation.The effects of metal ions on the enzyme activity are surveyed.The alkali metals ions such as Li+,Na+ and K+ has no any effects on the enzyme activity.The alkaline earth metals ions such as Ca2+,Mg2+,Ba2+ had also no abvious effect on the enzyme.While Al3+,Fe3+,Zn2+,Cd2+,Hg2+,Ag+,Pb2+ and Cu2+ inhibits the enzyme activity to some extent.The inhibitory effect of Hg2+ is the most potent,2.5 mmol/L of Hg2+ leads to the enzyme completely inactive.The inhibitory kinetics of Cu2+ on the enzyme is further studied.The result shows that Cu2+ is a reversible uncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme,and the inhibition constants(KI and KIS) is determined to be at a level of 5.5 mmol/L.
Present status of Krishna Valley cattle: An endangered breed of cattle

Study of 500 farmer families in the breed tract indicated that very few number Krishna Valley animals exist in the tract and are maintained by few farmer families. Comparatively poor socio-economic status of community accompanied by lower conditions, literacy and preference for maintaining this breed type indicate the capacity of these animals to perform in hard. The variation observed during phenotypic type scoring indicated possible mixing of this breed with other cattle breeds. To save the breed from extinction, breed specific programmes for phenotypic purification of the mixed population need be taken up by genetic selection approach for conservation and improvement of this breed.
Character Association in Virginia Bunch and Runner Types of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

Forty five genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belonging to Virginia botanical group, differing in habit and duration, were studied to obtain information on certain genetic parameters. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients and path analysis were worked out for seven characters, viz, days to maturity, number of primary and secondary branches number of mature pods, shelling percentage, 100-kernel weight, and pod yield per plant. Pod yield was positively and significantly associated with number of mature pods. Path coefficient analysis revealed that pod yield was mainly governed by number of mature pods and 100-kernel weight. Correlations and path analysis taken together revealed that yield improvement could be achieved by selection for number of primary branches, secondary branches, mature pods and 100-kernel weight in Virginia bunch and Virginia runner short duration groups, while in Virginia runner long duration group emphasis should be laid on mature pods, 100-kernel weight and shelling outturn.
Cardiovascular Risk After Adjuvant Trastuzumab in Early Breast Cancer: An Italian Population‐Based Cohort Study

Abstract Background Although trastuzumab (T) represents the standard of care for the adjuvant treatment of HER2‐positive early‐stage breast cancer, contrasting results are available about the cardiac toxicity associated to its use. We conducted a multiregional population‐based cohort investigation aimed to assess both the short‐ and long‐term cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in women with early breast cancer treated with T‐based or standard adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Materials and Methods We used health care use databases of six Italian regions, overall accounting for 42% of the Italian population. The study cohort was made by all women surgically treated for breast cancer who started a first‐line adjuvant T‐based or CT treatment. Patients treated with T were 1:2 matched to those treated with CT based on date of treatment start, age, and presence of CV risk factors. Short‐ and long‐term CV outcomes (heart failure and cardiomyopathy) were measured, respectively, after 1 year and at the end of follow‐up. Results Among 28,599 women who met the inclusion criteria, 6,208 T users were matched to 12,416 CT users. After a mean follow‐up of 5.88 years, short‐ and long‐term cumulative CV risk were 0.8% and 2.6% in patients treated with T and 0.2% and 2.8% in those treated with CT, respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios were 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–8.0) for short‐term and 1.2 (95% CI, 0.9–1.6) for long‐term CV risk. Discussion In our large real‐world investigation, T‐associated cardiotoxicity was limited to the treatment period. The addition of T to adjuvant CT did not result in long‐term worsening of CV events. Implications for Practice Adjuvant trastuzumab‐based chemotherapy represents the backbone therapy in patients with HER2‐positive early breast cancer. Although well tolerated, cardiovascular events can manifest during or after therapy because of treatment‐related toxicities. In this wide multicenter and unselected cohort, long‐term symptomatic cardiotoxicity was low and limited to the treatment period. The findings suggest that developing tools that would be adequately able to predict cardiac toxicity at an early stage remains an important area in which additional research efforts are needed.
Sonographic Findings In Scrotal Swellings

Background: Based on physical examination alone, it is often difficult to decide whether a palpable scrotal swelling arises from testicle itself or from extra testicular elements in scrotum. Aim of the study: To evaluate the causes of scrotal swellings in different age groups using sonography. Patients and method:One hundred patients, with age ranging between1-77years(mean age of 31 +/7 years), presented with scrotal swellings were examined by real-time ultrasound during the period from October 2011 to April 2012 in Al-Sadir Medical City at Al-Najaf government-Iraq Results: Sonographic examination was normal (could not detect any lesion) in 7 patients (7%). The commonest sonographic finding was hydrocele (33.1%) while the next common findings were varicocele (20.3%) and epididymal cysts (14.4%). Inflammatory causes were detected in 14 patients (11.8%). Of the 8 (6.7%) patients with scrotal trauma, 5 cases showed features of hematocele and 3 cases extra-testicular hematoma. Least sonographic findings were testicular torsion, scrotal hernia and solid intratesticular mass (2.6% for each). Most of scrotal swellings were unilateral (right more than left) and 8% showed contralateral incidental findings. Conclusion: Majority of causes of scrotal swellings were benign with the hydrocele being the commonest cause among all age groups. The least common causes of scrotal swellings were scrotal mass, hernia and testicular torsion. Although most of causes of scrotal swellings were benign, some were serious requiring urgent intervention, particularly testicular torsion, necessitating no delay in ultrasound examination for evaluation of patients with acute scrotal pain and swelling. To overcome limitations of this study, future study encompassing larger sample, including emergency cases, is recommended.
What drives grassland‐forest boundaries? Assessing fire and frost effects on tree seedling survival and architecture

Abstract Fire and frost represent two major hurdles for the persistence of trees in open grassy biomes and have both been proposed as drivers of grassland‐forest boundaries in Africa. We assess the response of young tree seedlings, which represent a vulnerable stage in tree recruitment, to traumatic fire and frost disturbances. In a greenhouse experiment, we investigated how seedling traits predicted survival and resprouting ability in response to fire versus frost; we characterized survival strategies of seedlings in response to the two disturbances, and we documented how the architecture of surviving seedlings is affected by fire versus frost injury. Survival rates were similar under both treatments. However, different species displayed different levels of sensitivity to fire and frost. Seedling survival was higher for older seedlings and seedlings with more basal leaves. Survivors of a fire event lost more biomass than the survivors of a frost event. However, the architecture of recovered fire‐ and frost‐treated seedlings was mostly similar. Seedlings that recovered from fire and frost treatments were often shorter than those that had not been exposed to any disturbance, with multiple thin branches, which may increase vulnerability to the next frost or fire event. Synthesis. Fire caused more severe aboveground damage compared with a single frost event, suggesting that fire is an important driver of tree distribution in these open grassland systems. However, the impact of repeated frost events may be equally severe and needs to be investigated. Also, woody species composition may be influenced by phenomena that affect the timing and frequency of seedling exposure to damage, as mortality was found to be dependent on seedling age. Therefore, changes in fire regime and climate are likely to result in changes in the composition and the structure of the woody components of these systems.
Simulating human tumour heterogeneity using cancer cell line mixtures

ii Preface . iv Table of Contents . v List of Tables . ix List of Figures . xi List of Abbreviations . xiv Glossary . xv Acknowledgements . xvi Dedication . xvii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Cancer today . 1 1.2 Heterogeneity . 3 1.2. 1 Inter-tumour heterogeneity . 7 1.2. 2 Intra-tumour heterogeneity . 10 1.3 Clonal evolution . 13 1.4 Sequencing . 17 1.4. 1 MiSeq . 19 1.5 Detection of allelic prevalence in biological data . 21 1.5. 1 PyClone . 21 1.6 Overarching hypotheses . 22 1.7 Thesis objectives . 22
Molecular sex identification of Malaysian White‐Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus Thunberg, 1812)

Abstract The difficulty in differentiating the sex of monomorphic bird species has made molecular sexing an important tool in addressing this problem. This method uses noninvasively collected materials such as feathers and may be advantageous for sexing endangered as well as commercialized bird species. In this study, seven primer sets for sexing birds were screened in Aerodramus fuciphagus using a total of 13 feather samples that were randomly selected from the state of Perak, Malaysia. From the screening analysis, only one primer set (P8/WZ/W) successfully differentiated the sex of A. fuciphagus. PCR amplification produced a single 255‐bp DNA fragment for males which was derived from CHD‐Z (CHD gene region in the sex chromosome Z), while for the females it produced two fragments (144 and 255 bp). The 144‐bp fragment was from CHD‐W (CHD gene region in the sex chromosome W). Results from sequencing showed no variations in the base sequences of the CHD‐W and CHD‐Z amplified fragments within the same sexes, except for one male sample (A23) where at position 166, a base substitution occurred (G → A). Phylogenetic analysis of CHD‐W showed that four (Apodiformes; Gruiformes; Passeriformes; and Pelecaniformes) out of the five orders investigated had formed four clear clusters within their orders, including the studied order: Apodiformes. Whereas in CHD‐Z, four (Accipitriformes; Columbiformes; Galliformes; and Passeriformes) out of five orders investigated formed four clear clusters within their orders, excluding the studied order. In addition, A. fuciphagus and Apus apus (both Apodiformes) showed less divergence in CHD‐W than CHD‐Z (0% c.f. 9%). The result suggests that in A. fuciphagus, CHD gene evolution occurred at a higher rate in males (CHD‐Z) compared to females (CHD‐W). This finding may be useful for further studies on sex ratio and breeding management of A. fuciphagus.
Physiological responses of rosewoods Dalbergia cochinchinensis and D. oliveri under drought and heat stresses

Abstract Dalbergia cochinchinensis and D. oliveri are classified as vulnerable and endangered, respectively, in the IUCN Red List and under continued threat from deforestation and illegal harvesting for rosewood. Despite emerging efforts to conserve and restore these species, little is known of their responses to drought and heat stress, which are expected to increase in the Greater Mekong Subregion where the species co‐occur and are endemic. In this study of isolated and combined drought and heat effects, we found that D. oliveri had an earlier stomatal closure and more constant midday water potential in response to increasing drought level, suggesting that D. oliveri is relatively isohydric while D. cochinchinensis is relatively anisohydric. Heat shock and drought had synergistic effects on stomatal closure. Our results indicate contrasting relationships in water relations, photosynthetic pigment levels, and total soluble sugars. An increase in chlorophyll a was observed in D. cochinchinensis during drought, and a concomitant increase in carotenoid content likely afforded protection against photo‐oxidation. These physiological changes correlated with higher total soluble sugars in D. cochinchinensis. By contrast, D. oliveri avoided drought by reducing chlorophyll content and compromising productivity. Anisohydry and drought tolerance in D. cochinchinensis are adaptations which fit well with its ecological niche as a pioneering species with faster growth in young trees. We believe this understanding of the stress responses of both species will be crucial to their effective regeneration and conservation in degraded habitats and in the face of climate change.
Effect of Bacillus subtilis supplementation in low energy diets on broiler performance

SUMMARY Studies have shown that direct-fed microbials (DFMs) based on spore-forming bacteria supplemented in poultry feed are able to improve broiler performance. In the present study, the interaction of feed supplemented with Bacillus subtilis and different metabolizable energy (ME) levels in feed on Cobb broiler performance were evaluated. Broilers were fed diets containing an average ME of 3,117 (100% ME), 3,054 (98% ME), 2,991 (96% ME), or 2,930 (94% ME) kcal/kg either with or without B. subtilis (8 × 105 cfu/g feed) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Birds were fed equal amounts of starter and grower feed to approximate for equal amino acid intake and finisher feed ad libitum. Birds fed diets supplemented with B. subtilis were able to achieve higher final BWs and lower FCRs than their respective controls, irrespective of the level of the energy reduction. When birds were fed B. subtilis and diets containing 3,054 kcal/kg ME (98% ME), they were able to achieve equivalent performance to control birds fed non-Bacillus– supplemented rations containing 3,117 kcal/kg (100% ME). Regression analysis indicated B. subtilis had a ME contribution of +62 kcal/kg feed. This improved the performance of birds fed B. subtilis, and a 2% reduced ME (98% ME) diet resulted in a significantly lower feed cost per kilogram weight gain ($0.399/kg weight gain) compared to control birds fed a standard 100% ME diet ($0.417/kg weight gain) and a potential cost saving of $0.018/kg weight gain. In addition, overall mortality was 2.51% lower in B. subtilis–supplemented groups. Consequently, in addition to confirming the performance benefits associated with B. subtilis, it is suggested that supplementation of B. subtilis in feed confers economic savings as well.
Molecular studies of the structure-function relationships of Psuedomonas aeruginosa OprM : an outer membrane protein associated with efflux

Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrates high intrinsic resistance to multiple classes of structurally unrelated antimicrobial agents. This broad-spectrum resistance is primarily due to a combination of low outer membrane permeability coupled to secondary resistance mechanisms such as the resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux systems. The outer membrane protein OprM is involved in intrinsic and mutational multiple-antibiotic resistance as part of two RND efflux systems in P. aeruginosa. To study structure-function relationships for OprM, optimal conditions for oprM overexpression were determined; it appeared that excessive production of the protein was lethal to cells. In addition, overexpression of oprM alone in wild-type P. aeruginosa did not increase the resistance of the cells, suggesting OprM could not function independent of the pump and linker proteins of the efflux systems. OprM was demonstrated for the first time to have channel-forming activities like porins, and was shown to be cation selective like the related TolC protein of Escherichia coli. Based on the functional and sequence similarity between OprM and TolC, and their similar content of a-helical and P-sheet structures determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy, a three-dimensional model of OprM was constructed by threading its sequence to the TolC crystal structure. This suggested that, like TolC, OprM has a distinctive architecture comprising outer membrane p-barrel and periplasmic helical-barrel structures. Analyses of OprM insertion and deletion mutants in the context of this model indicated that the helical barrel is critical for both function and integrity of OprM, while a C-terminal domain localized around the equatorial plane of this helical barrel is dispensable. Unlike the classic
Influência do oídio nas castanhas de diferentes genótipos de cajueiro.

O conteudo e apresentado em oito capitulos: 1 - Resumo; 2 - Abstract; 3 - Introducao; 4 - Material e metodos; 5 - Resultados e discussao; 6 - Conclusoes; 7 - Agradecimentos; 8 - Referencias.
Herb-clover mixes increase lamb live weight gain and carcass weight in the autumn period

Two experiments were carried out in two consecutive autumns to examine whether herb-clover mixes would improve lamb production compared with a ryegrass-based pasture. The three herbage treatments were: (1) ‘pasture mix’—perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens); (2) ‘plantain mix’—plantain (Plantago lanceolata), white clover and red clover (Trifolium pratense); (3) ‘chicory mix’—plantain, chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), white and red clover. Individual lamb live weight gain, final lamb live weights, carcass weights and GR tissue depths were greater (P < 0.05) in both of the herb-clover mixes in both experiments compared with the pasture mix. However, environmental conditions in the second year resulted in lower stocking rates on the plantain mix. This result suggests that in a dry environment, of the three mixes examined, the chicory mix is the best option for finishing lambs in the autumn.