Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of Reverse Transcriptase Domain of Transcriptionally Active Retrotransposons in Wheat Genomes

To clarify activation characterization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) retrotransposons, transcriptionally active Ty1-copia retrotransposons were found in wheat by using RT-PCR to amplify the RT domain. Sequence analysis of random RT-PCR clones reveals that Ty1-copia retrotransposons are highly heterogeneous and can be divided into at least four groups, which are tentatively named TaRT-1 to TaRT-4.Dot blot hybridization indicates that TaRT- 1 exists in the wheat genome as multiple copies (at 30 000 copies/a hexaploid genome (ABD)). Northern blot hybridization showed that TaRT-1 is only expressed at a low level under normal conditions in seedlings, but at a high level when induced by powdery mildew fungus, jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). These results suggest that the TaRT-1 expression is highly sensitive to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Effect of P, FYM and PSB on Macronutrient Concentration and Uptake by Sunflower

A field experiment was conducted at SKUAST-K, Shalimar to study the effect of P, FYM and PSB on macronutrient concentration and uptake in sunflower. The soil of the experimental site was silty clay loam in texture, non-saline and neutral in reaction. The results revealed that application of P, FYM and PSB resulted in an improvement in the per cent content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in seed and stalk of sunflower. Treatment combination P40FYM10PSB1 was found superior to all other treatments which showed the highest concentration of P in seed (0.30%) and K in stalk (1.41%) of sunflower. Under this treatment combination, uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S at harvest was highest in grain i.e. 111.5, 11.5, 10.7, 28.3, 10.3 and 10.9 kg ha−1, respectively, whereas that of N, P and Mg was highest in stalk (19.5, 1.21 and 1.14 kg ha−1, respectively).
Complejos intracelulares formados por la RNA polimerasa del virus de la gripe: oligomerización, factores asociados y complementación génica

The influenza virus polymerase complex is a heterotrimer formed by the PB1, PB2 and PA subunits and is required for virus transcription and replication in the nucleus of infected cells. In this Doctoral Thesis we present the characterization of the complexes formed intracellularly by the influenza polymerase in human cells. The three subunits of the polymerase were co-expressed in human cells and the intracellular complexes were purified by the TAP approach, which involves IgG-Sepharose and calmodulin-agarose chromatography, under very mild conditions.
Nitrogen-phosphorus relationships in lichens

Nitrogen enrichment promotes phosphomonoesterase (PME) activity in the common heathland lichen Cladonia portentosa. This is associated with a marked increase in thallus N:P mass ratio and significant up-regulation of inorganic phosphate uptake capacity, evidencing a shift from N-limited to P-limited growth. Phosphomonoesterase activity in C. portentosa responds rapidly to change in N deposition load, with a significant increase in activity recorded within 6 months of transplantation from a low-N to high-N site. The location of PME activity in C. portentosa was revealed using a fluorescent marker and was found to be concentrated on both the outer and inner surfaces of the hollow ‘tube-like’ thallus branches. Activity appeared to be associated exclusively with the mycobiont and was located within the hyphal-lumina, consistent with a membrane bound ecto-enzyme. High PME activity in axenic mycobiont cultures of C. portentosa provided further evidence of a fungal location and confirmed that rates of activity in this lichen are amongst the highest reported for any other plant/fungal system in the literature. Different classes of phosphatases were assayed in a range of N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing lichens in an oligotrophic subarctic environment. No relationship was found between the capacities for nitrogenase and PME activities. Maximum rates of PME activity were recorded in fruticose mat-forming lichens which capture nutrients predominantly from atmospheric deposits. 5´ nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity was readily detected in N2-fixing lichens and was particularly high in rhizine-rich regions of foliose terricolous lichen thalli, consistent with the utilisation of organic phosphates from soil and litter sources.
Surveying for bird carcasses resulting from window collisions: a standardized protocol

Collisions with building windows are thought to be a significant source of mortality for urban birds. Past studies on bird-window collisions have used a variety of survey methods to estimate the magnitude of mortality, and few have constructed methods in light of the biases related to scavengers and worker abilities that lead to imperfect detection of carcasses. Adoption of a systematic carcass survey protocol in future studies would reduce site-specific biases and among-site survey variability, which in turn would improve the accuracy of mortality estimates at all scales. We present here a standardized carcass survey protocol that serves two basic functions: (a) it is simple and inexpensive to implement, and (b) it accounts for the removal of carcasses by scavengers and detection of carcasses by field workers. Consistent with these goals, we added a variety of approaches with particular aspects of the protocol for researchers to chooose from depending on the goals of their study. The following topics are addressed in the protocol: 1. Preparing for surveys, 2. Supplies, 3. Frequency of surveys throughout the study, 4. When during the day to complete surveys, 5. Field worker behavior during surveys, 6. The pre-survey carcass ‘clean-up’, 7. How to conduct carcass surveys, 8. Carcass collection and containment, 9. Identifying species of bird carcasses, 10. Data collection and management, and 11. Duration of carcass surveys.
Comparative Study between Hot Air and Infrared Drying of Parboiled Rice: Kinetics and Qualities Aspects

The objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of drying employing three different heat sources on drying kinetics and to evaluate qualities of parboiled rice after drying. Drying temperature was varied between 60 and 100C. Power of infrared (IR) heat source was fixed at 1,000 and 1,500 W and air flow rate was fixed at 1.0 ± 0.2 m/s. The three drying strategies composed of hot air (HA), IR and combined HA + IR drying. The experimental results were simulated using various equilibrium moisture content models and the mathematical drying model for prediction of drying kinetics and evaluation of effective diffusion coefficient (Deff) followed by Fick's law of diffusion. The results revealed that Deff values of HA and IR drying were in the range of 10−12–10−11 m2/s and relatively depended on temperature. For quality evaluation, conclusions reached that head rice yield using HA + IR drying had the highest value, while yellowness and whiteness of the parboiled rice are significantly affected by drying condition (P > 0.05). Practical Applications These results suggested that combined hot air and infrared (HA + IR) drying offers a great potential for preserving Leb Nok Pattani parboiled rice. Drying kinetics and quality aspects determined that IR drying is more efficient than the other drying method. However, the color degradation in the grain kernel is an issue for quality measurement.
Influence of seed orientation at different depths of sowing in Jatropha curcas

The studies on seed orientation based on caruncle (appendage) position and sowing depth revealed that Jatropha seeds are to be sown at a depth of two centimeter positioning the caruncle downwards for maximization of seed germination and seedling characteristics both during seed testing for evaluation of germination percentage and at nursery for production of higher percentage of plantable seedlings. However on bulk sowing irrespective of orientation, sowing of seed at 4 cm depth and irrespective of depth, downward orientation would be optimum for Jatropha seed for getting higher number of plantable seedlings.
Access and Quality in Nigeria’s Higher Education: Need for a Pragmatic Approach for Sustainable Transformation

Access and quality of higher education are among the major criteria for assessing the product of any institution of higher learning. This paper discusses access and quality in Nigeria’s higher education; need for a pragmatic approach for sustainable transformation’. It discusses problems of access in the areas of carrying capacity of universities, process of admission, poverty, location and corruption. The problems of quality were traced to poor recruitment procedure, inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, corruption and lack of adequate practical experience. The problems of quality also extended to poor research development and underutilization of research findings. Pragmatic approach to solving each of these problems was discussed which include abolishing policies that have not benefited the education system like quota system. The paper advocates for merit at this crucial stage of national development, at least seventy percent of admissions into tertiary institutions should be based on pure merit. Recruitment of academic and non-academic staff should be purely on merit. Funds should be made available for the provision of adequate infrastructure. Research findings and recommendations should be urgently appraised and utilized. Keywords: Higher Education, Access, Quality, Pragmatic, Transformation
Production of different proteases from fish gut microflora utilizing tannery fleshing

Three alkaline protease‐producing strains designated as ANFLR1, NPLR1, and PROLR15 were isolated from Labeo rohita fish gut. These strains are able to produce alkaline protease using tannery fleshing (TF) as the sole carbon and nitrogen source and were identified as Bacillus megaterium, Serratia marcescens, and novel Pontibacter sps. Proteases from these organisms were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity following ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange, and column chromatography. SDS‐PAGE revealed molecular weights of the proteases to be 46 kDa (ANFLR1), 52 kDa (NPLR1), and 58 kDa (PROLR15). The optimum pH and temperature for the protease activity of ANFLR1, NPLR1, and PROLR15 were found to be 10.5, 11.5, 9, and 70°C, 60°C, and 50°C, respectively. The maximum protease activities at the optimum conditions were 420 U/mL (ANFLR1), 550 U/mL (NPLR1), and 530 U/mL (PROLR15). Inhibition of the NPLR1 protease by pepstatin confirmed aspartate‐type enzymatic activity. Fe3+ enhanced the activity of PROLR15 protease. Unlike all other microbial proteases known so far, the PROLR15 enzyme did not require Ca2+ for activity and thermal stability. SDS‐PAGE and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the conversion of high molecular weight substrate (TF) to low molecular weight peptides by these proteases. The alkaline metalloprotease production by novel Pontibacter sps. and aspartate protease production by S. marcescens remain unexplored. Hence, TF with its relatively abundant availability can be beneficially utilized for alkaline protease production through the fish gut microbial fermentation processes.
PHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS FROM OCIMUM BASILICUM, APIUM GRAVEOLENS AND LEPIDIUM SATIVUM SEEDS

ABSTRACT The antioxidative properties and total phenolic contents of methanol, ethanol and water extracts from Ocimum basilicum, Apium graveolens and Lepidium sativum seeds were investigated and the results were compared with standards. The methanol extracts of the seeds had significantly higher (P < 0.05) superoxide radical scavenging activity with the concentration for 50% inhibition (IC50) value of 98.73 µg/mL for O. basilicum, 121.57 µg/mL for A. graveolens and 166.16 µg/mL for L. sativum. The results indicated that all the seed extracts showed excellent H2O2 scavenging activities. IC50 values for H2O2 scavenging activity by methanol extract of O. basilicum, A. graveolens, L. sativum and butylated hydroxyanisole were found to be as 49.9, 52.3, 65.2 and 49.6 µg/mL, respectively. O. basilicum methanol extract had significantly (P < 0.05) higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl scavenging effect than the other two seeds. The methanol extracts of three seeds were better in Fe+2 chelating activity, reducing power and higher in the content of total phenol as compared with ethanol and water extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Recent epidemiological studies have strongly suggested that consumption of certain plant materials such as seeds, leaves, fruits and roots may reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to oxidative stress on account of their antioxidant activity and promote general health benefits. In this study, all seeds extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity (78.3–96.9%) at concentration 500 µg/mL. Total phenolic content in the seed extracts ranged from 51 to 92 mg GAE/100 g extract. In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.9058, P < 0.05) in all the seed extracts. Therefore, O. basilicum, A. greveolens and L. sativum seed extracts have the potential to be developed into dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.
Productivity of clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) intercropping system under different row ratio and nutrient management in arid region

A study was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2005 to 2007 at Bhuj to find out possibility of increasing production of clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) through spatial arrangement and nutrient management. The soil was gravelly-sandy loam with shallow depth (21 cm) and pH 8.7. The clusterbean equivalent yield (919 kg/ha), net returns (Rs 7 440/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.80) and sustainable yield index (0.74) were higher with clusterbean + sesame (2:1) intercropping system over the sole crop of clusterbean (710 kg/ha, Rs 5 945/ha, 1.68 and 0.71 respectively). Irrespective of cropping systems, application of 20 kg N/ha + 5 tonnes farmyard manure/ha recorded significantly higher clusterbean-equivalent yield (1 036 kg/ha), net return (Rs 1 1171/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.14) and sustainable yield index (0.80) over 40 kg N/ha alone and absolute control. The row ratio of 2:1 in clusterbean + sesame intercropping fertilized with 20 kg N + 5 tonnes farmyard manure/ha may be recommended to get more economic benefit and sustained yield in arid region.
Inter‐specific Variation in Foliar Nutrients and Resorption of Nine Canopy‐tree Species in a Secondary Neotropical Rain Forest

The influence of environmental gradients on the foliar nutrient economy of forests has been well documented; however, we have little understanding of what drives variability among individuals within a single forest stand, especially tropical forests. We evaluated inter‐ and intra‐specific variation in nutrient resorption, foliar nutrient concentrations and physical leaf traits of nine canopy tree species within a 1‐ha secondary tropical rain forest in northeastern Costa Rica. Both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption efficiency (RE) and proficiency of the nine tree species varied significantly among species, but not within. Both N and P RE were significantly negatively related to leaf specific strength. Green leaf N and P concentrations were strongly negatively related to leaf mass per area, and senesced leaf nutrient concentrations were significantly positively related to green leaf nutrient concentrations. This study reveals a strong influence of physical leaf traits on foliar nutrient and resorption traits of co‐occurring species in a secondary wet tropical forest stand.
Is Mutation Accumulation a Threat to the Survival of Endangered Populations?

The accumulation of new deleterious mutations has been predicted to constitute a significant threat to the survival of finite sexually reproducing populations. Three measures of genetic load were made on populations of Drosophila melanogaster maintained at effective population sizes of 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 for 45 or 50 generations and their outbred base population and a new sample from the same wild population. Genetic loads were measured as fitness differentials between inbred and non‐inbred lines derived from each population under both benign ( productivity of single pairs) and competitive (competitive index) conditions. No trend of smaller populations exhibiting greater genetic loads than larger ones was observed under either benign or competitive conditions. Further, genetic loads were similar in captive and wild populations. Frequencies of deleterious and lethal alleles on chromosome II were measured by making the chromosome (approximately 40% of the genome) homozygous using a marked balancer stock. Neither deleterious nor lethal allele frequencies exhibited a relationship with population size. The accumulation of detrimental mutations does not appear to pose a significant threat to finite sexual populations with effective sizes of 25 or more over the 100–200 year time frames considered in most wildlife conservation programs.
An Experimental Study of Local Scour Depth Around Bridge Abutments

The current research work presents laboratory experimental results on local scour around vertical-wall bridge abutments in uniform sediments under clear water scour conditions. The study reports an extensive experimental investigation, that was performed in an experimental model in the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly, whose findings are used to describe the effects of various parameters on local scour depth evolution. The experimental measurements of scouring depths were obtained in the vicinity of the construction for different inflow discharges and flow duration. The expected bed erosion and the maximum scour depth at the upstream edge of the construction are satisfactorily simulated by the experimental procedure. Three different sizes of the abutment width normal to the flow direction were used in order to investigate the impact of this parameter to local scour variation. All experimental test case results described in this work are relevant to unsteady, two-dimensional, quasi or fully three-dimensional flow calculations for viscous flows in open channels with sediment transport. All the experimental results are graphically presented and may be used to assist in the development of new and the verification and refinement of existing river numerical simulation models for computing free-surface flows with movable beds, specifically around bridge abutments and generally on bed level variation due to sediment transport.
Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils against human pathogenic bacteria

The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from 10 aromatic plants Matricaria chamommilla, Mentha piperita, M. spicata, Lavandula angustifolia, Ocimum basilicum, Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Citrus limon and C. aurantium have been determined. Antibacterial activity of these oils and their components; i.e. linalyl acetate, linalool, limonene, pinene, s-pinene, 1,8-cineole, camphor, carvacrol, thymol and menthol were assayed against a variety of human pathogenic bacteria. The highest and broadest activity was shown by Origanum vulgare oil. Carvacrol possessed the highest antifungal activity among the components tested
ARE THERE STRAINS OF CHRYSANTHEMUM STUNT VIROID

Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) has been detected or isolated from chrysanthemums or other host species in 26 countries. While strains (biological variants) have been described for many viroids, strains have not been described as such specifically for CSVd, despite the determination of 117 sequence variants of CSVd in 16 countries. Tomato has been described as an experimental host, either symptomless, or showing mild, or even severe symptoms, depending on the report; however, most of these studies were done with single isolates of CSVd and one cultivar of tomato plants. Thus, here we re-examined these issues by directly comparing the biological activity of three isolates of CSVd, one each from the USA, China and Australia, varying in their nucleotide sequence. We found that these isolates showed no differences in symptoms induced on either chrysanthemum or tomato plants, suggesting that much of the biological variation reported previously may have been due to cultivar differences and/or environmental effects.
Números cromosómicos de especies de Mimosa (Leguminosae)de Paraguay

In the present study the chromosome numbers of Mimosa xanthocentra subsp. subsericea varo subsericea, M. balansae, M. chacoensis, M. rojasiiall with 2n=26 and M. lupinoides with 2n=52 are reported for the first time. The 2n=52 of M. somnians subsp. viscida vara viscida and of M. somnians subsp. somnians vara somnians are new and differ from the 2n=26 published before for M. somnians varo somniansof Argentina. M. debiliswith 2n=26 also differs from the numbers reported previously for M. debilis varo debilis from Argentina with 2n=52. The 2n=26 of M. bimucronata vara adenocarpa coincides with the reported number for M. bimucronata varo bimucronata, and the number of M. polycarpa varo spegazzinii with 2n=26 is confirmed.