Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of the Grains between Old- and New-Types of Rice Cultivars in Japan

Abstract The physicochemical properties of the grains of 16 old- and 21 new-type rice cultivars in Japan were investigated in 1995 and 1996. Among the old- and new-type cultivars, we found a similar pattern of varietal differences in physicochemical properties in both years, and in both the fields with and without nitrogen fertilizer applied. Between the two types, no significant differences in the mean protein and amylose contents in the rice grain were observed. The old-type rice cultivars tended to be lower in mean maximum viscosity and breakdown values than the new- type cultivars, although the difference was not significant. Cooked rice of the old-type cultivars tended to be higher in mean hardness/adhesion ratio (H/-H) and hardness/adhesiveness ratio (H/A3) than that of the new -type cultivars. The physicochemical properties which showed superior values in the standard partial regression coefficients against the taste of cooked rice were the protein content, breakdown value and H/-H. These, physico-chemical properties can be efficient indicators for evaluating the taste of cooked rice. The coefficient of parentage of each cultivar to cultivar Koshihikari showed tight negative correlations with amylose content, H/-H and H/A3, and tight positive correlations with maximum viscosity and breakdown values. The coefficients showed a loose positive correlation with protein content. However, Sasanishiki, Domannaka, Chiyonishiki, Nakate shinsenbon and Rikuu 132 were superior in their physicochemical indicators, in spite of their small coefficients of parentage to Koshihikari. This suggests that a highly palatable cultivar that is widely different from Koshihikari can be developed by utilizing genetic resources with superior physicochemical indicators.
Respostas fisiológicas de caprinos de diferentes grupos genéticos no semi-árido paraibano

Realizou-se este experimento na Estacao Experimental de Pendencia pertencente a EMEPA-PB, localizada no Municipio de Soledade-PB, com o objetivo de avaliar os parâmetros fisiologicos e hematologicos de caprinos de diferentes grupos geneticos sob as condicoes do semi-arido. Foram utilizados 30 caprinos machos inteiros, com peso medio de 25,17 kg, sendo seis animais de cada grupo genetico: ½ Boer + ½ SRD (BO), ½ Anglo-Nubiana + ½ SRD (AN), ½ Savana + ½ SRD (SA), ½ Kalarari + ½ SRD (KA) e ½ Moxoto + ½ SRD (MO). Verificou-se efeito significativo (P<0,05) de grupos geneticos para a frequencia respiratoria e hematocrito. Tendo o BO apresentado frequencia respiratoria superior (P<0,05) ao AN e MO; e hematocrito inferior (P<0,05) ao MO. O turno afetou significativamente (P<0,05) a temperatura retal e a frequencia respiratoria, com medias superiores a tarde. Para as demais variaveis nao houve diferenca significativa entre os grupos geneticos estudados. Permitindo concluir que os animais estudados estao bem adaptados ao clima semi-arido.
Does Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) use kairomones to recognise eggs of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)?

We tested the oviposition behaviour of female Trichogramma australicum on host eggs and glass beads. No washing by organic solvent or water could effectively remove recognition cues from Helicoverpa armigera eggs. Possible recognition kairomonal materials (accessory gland secretion and lateral oviduct liquid contents of H. armigera) did not have a pronounced effect on stimulating ovipositor probing and drilling by T. australicum. Therefore, we consider that T. australicum females do not depend on chemical cues to recognise their host eggs. We found that deteriorating change in the characteristics of natural host eggs can reduce the acceptance of the host by female T. australicum. This rejection behaviour may allow the wasp to identify unacceptable hosts and oviposit only in hosts of ‘good’ quality.
Ultrastructural studies on early elastogenesis

Elastogenesis in the ligamentum nuchae of the fetal calf commences with the extracellular deposition of hollow‐appearing filaments, 130 Å in diameter, showing a banding pattern consisting of alternating segments, 50 Å and 130 Å long, respectively. Similar filaments are found in the crude extract of the ligament. Mature elastin forms within these masses of filaments and displays an internal, branching tangle of 30 Å filaments. Elastogenesis is accompanied by a high level of cellular activity involving acanthosomes, which have been interpreted as a mechanism of secretion of protein‐polysaccharide complexes.
Model predicting dynamics of biomass, structure and digestibility of herbage in managed permanent pastures. 1. Model description

To investigate seasonal and annual interactions between management and grassland dynamics, a simple mechanistic model of the dynamics of production, structure and digestibility in permanent pastures was constructed. The model is designed to respond to various defoliation regimes, perform multiple-year simulations and produce simple outputs that are easy to use as inputs for a model of ruminant livestock production. Grassland communities are described using a set of average functional traits of their constituent grass groups. The sward is subdivided into four structural compartments: green leaves and sheath, dead leaves and sheath, green stems and flowers, and dead stems and flowers. Each compartment is characterized by its biomass, age and digestibility. Only above-ground growth is modelled, using a light-utilization efficiency approach modulated by a seasonal pattern of storage and mobilization of reserves. Ageing of plant parts is driven by cumulative thermal time from 1 January and by biomass flows. Age affects senescence, abscission and digestibility of green compartments and, therefore, the quality of green leaves and stems can increase or decrease over time in relation to net growth and defoliation dynamics. The functional traits having the greatest impact on model outputs are seasonal effects, period of reproductive growth and effects of temperature on photosynthetic efficiency. The functional traits of the grass groups were parameterized for temperate pastures of the Auvergne region in France. The other model inputs are few: proportion of functional groups, basic weather data (incident photosynthetically active radiation, mean daily temperature, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration) and site characteristics (nitrogen nutrition index, soil water-holding capacity). In the context of a whole-farm simulator, the model can be applied at a field scale.
Hormonal stimulation in the exocrine pancreas results in coordinate and anticoordinate regulation of protein synthesis

24-h intravenous caerulein infusion studies in the rat were combined with in vitro amino acid incorporation studies followed by high- resolution separation of proteins by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing and SDS gel electrophoresis to study the extent to which persistent changes in the biosynthesis of exocrine pancreatic proteins are regulated by cholecystokinin-like peptides. Beginning in the third hour of optimal hormone infusion at 0.25 microgram kg-1 h-1, changes were observed in the synthetic rates of 12 proteins, which progressed over the course of the 24-h study. Based on coordinate response patterns, exocrine proteins could be classified into four distinct groups. Group I (trypsinogen forms 1 and 2) showed progressive increases in synthetic rates reaching a combined 4.3-fold increase over control levels. Group II (amylase forms 1 and 2) showed progressive decreases in synthesis to levels 7.1- and 14.3-fold lower than control levels, respectively. Group III proteins (ribonuclease, chymotrypsinogen forms 1 and 2, procarboxypeptidase forms A and B, and proelastase 1) showed moderate increases in synthesis, 1.4-2.8-fold, and group IV proteins (trypsinogen 3, lipase, proelastase 2, and unidentified proteins 1-4) did not show changes in synthesis with hormone stimulation. Regulation of protein synthesis in response to caerulein infusion was specific for individual isoenzymic forms in the case of both trypsinogen and proelastase. The ratio of biosynthetic rates of trypsinogen forms 1 + 2 to amylase forms 1 + 2 increased from a control value of 0.56 to 24.4 after 24 h of hormonal stimulation (43.5-fold increase). Biosynthetic rates for an unidentified protein (P23) with an Mr = 23,000 and isoelectric point of 6.2 increased 14.2- fold, and the ratio of synthesis of P23 to amylase 2 increased 200-fold during caerulein infusion. During hormone stimulation the anticoordinate response in the synthesis of pancreatic glycosidases (decreased synthesis) and serine protease zymogens (increased synthesis) explain previous observations that showed little change in rates of total protein synthesis under similar conditions.
Effect of various crop establishment methods practised by Asian farmers on epidemics of rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Establishment methods for rice crops in tropical Asia are very diverse, leading to variation in the structure of rice canopies. Differences in canopy structure can in turn affect the spread of the rice sheath blight pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani. Rice sheath blight epidemics were compared during two seasons in crops established by different methods: direct broadcasting of pregerminated rice seeds, and transplanting of rice seedlings at spacings of 20 × 20 cm, 13 × 25 cm and 25 × 25 cm between hills (i.e. along and between rows, respectively). In both years, the apparent infection rate based on incidence data and the terminal severity of sheath blight were lower in the direct-seeded crops than in any of the transplanted ones, regardless of spacing. The frequency of leaf-to-leaf contacts (CF) between hills (or plants) was highest in direct-seeded rice, and lowest in rice transplanted at a spacing of 25 × 25 cm. Larger CF is known to favour rice sheath blight epidemics. The apparent contradiction between higher incidence and lower CF in the transplanted stands than in the direct-seeded stands is interpreted in terms of accessibility of healthy host tissues to the spread of the pathogen in the canopy, and accounts for within-host (rice hill or plant) and between-host (hill or plant) disease spread. The analysis of incidence-severity relationships indicated a less aggregated distribution of the disease in direct-seeded rice, which was related to the spatial distribution of the tillers. These findings have direct implications for the management of the disease.
Effects of moist heat treatment on ruminal nutrient degradability of sunflower seed

A study was conducted to determine the effects of moist heat treatment (autoclaving at 127 °C with a steam pressure of 117 kPa for 10, 20 and 30 min) of sunflower seed on crude protein (CP) fractions, ruminal dry matter (DM) and CP degradabilities, and ruminal disappearance of amino and fatty acids. Two ruminally fistulated cows were used in a randomised complete block design. Heating of sunflower seed decreased soluble protein and increased neutral detergent-insoluble protein, with little effect on acid detergent-insoluble protein. Results of the in sacco study showed that moist heat treatment decreased (cubic effect, P < 0.05) ruminal degradability of DM and CP of sunflower seed. Ruminal undegraded CP of raw sunflower seed was low (84 g kg−1 of CP) and increased (cubic effect, P < 0.05) by 139, 143 and 164% as the heating time increased from 0 to 10, 20 and 30 min respectively. Ruminal disappearance of all amino acids (following 12 h of incubation) was greater (P < 0.05) for raw than for heated sunflower seed. Similar results were also observed for ruminal disappearance of fatty acids. It was concluded that moist heat treatment decreased ruminal DM and CP degradability of sunflower seed (by 17 and 19% respectively) and thus increased the concentrations of amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids available for digestion in the small intestine. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Responses of broiler chickens fed varying levels of dietary waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)

This study was carried out to determine the responses of broiler chickens fed varying levels of dietary Waterleaf (Talinum trangulare). One hundred and twenty broiler chickens were used for this study. Waterleaf (Talinum trangulare) was introduced to the birds at four (4) weeks of age after they were randomly allotted into four (4) dietary treatments. Treatment 1, which was the control, had no Waterleaf (Talinum trangulare), Treatments 2, 3, and 4 had 100g, 200g and 300g of Waterleaf respectively, in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Water was given ad libitum. The data collected from this study showed that the final weight, weekly weight gain, weekly feed consumption and feed efficiency showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between the treatments, indicating a higher feed utilization by the birds in Treatment 4. However, the results obtained from the organ weights, showed significant effects (P<0.05) on the liver, with the highest value in treatment 4. The test on serum enzymes showed that Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphate Transferase (ALP) showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatments, while the serum lipid profile indicated a significant difference (P<0.05) in the High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). The analysis of the Blood electrolytes and blood chemistry showed significant differences (P<0.05) in Potassium (k), Sodium (Na), Bicarbonate and Conjugated Bilirubin amongst the treatments. The Lymphocyte counts showed a significant difference (P<0.05) amongst the treatment in the haematological analysis. From the results, it can be concluded that Waterleaf (Talinum trangulare) improves feed utilization, stimulates appetite and a good source of electrolytes. It is, therefore, recommended to supplement broiler diets with Waterleaf (Talinum trangulare).
Automatic Processing of Aerial LiDAR Data to Detect Vegetation Continuity in the Surroundings of Roads

The optimization of forest management in the surroundings of roads is a necessary task in term of wildfire prevention and the mitigation of their effects. One of the reasons why a forest fire spreads is the presence of contiguous flammable material, both horizontally and vertically and, thus, vegetation management becomes essential in preventive actions. This work presents a methodology to detect the continuity of vegetation based on aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds, in combination with point cloud processing techniques. Horizontal continuity is determined by calculating Cover Canopy Fraction (CCF). The results obtained show 50% of shrubs presence and 33% of trees presence in the selected case of study, with an error of 5.71%. Regarding vertical continuity, a forest structure composed of a single stratum represents 81% of the zone. In addition, the vegetation located in areas around the roads were mapped, taking into consideration the distances established in the applicable law. Analyses show that risky areas range from a total of 0.12 ha in a 2 m buffer and 0.48 ha in a 10 m buffer, representing a 2.4% and 9.5% of the total study area, respectively.
Numeracy Programming at Major Canadian Urban Libraries: An Exploratory Study

The Government of Canada identifies numeracy as a foundational skill for work, learning, and life. Libraries have historically been champions of literacy; however, the role of libraries in developing numeracy skills is understudied. Specifically, there is a critical gap in studying numeracy programs offered by public libraries. This exploratory study examines the state of numeracy programming at five major urban public libraries in Canada (Calgary Public Library, Edmonton Public Library, Bibliothèques de Montréal, Ottawa Public Library, and Toronto Public Library) to understand the types and varieties of numeracy programs that they offer. The frequency of programs, the intended age range, and the program content are the main foci of this paper. The researchers examined 1166 program listings by scraping programming information from the five libraries’ websites. The data was collected for the second week of December 2015 and relied on programming descriptions from libraries' websites. Results showed that a total of 65 programs (5.6% of total programs) covered numeracy related skills. Overall, the options to learn about numeracy concepts were very limited at all of the libraries in the sample. Calgary offered the highest number of children-focused numeracy programs, while Toronto offered the greatest number of adult-focused numeracy programs. “Math/mathematics” was the most common term used to describe numeracy-related programs. This exploratory study underscores the need for greater investigation of numeracy programming in public libraries.
IDENTIFYING MULTIPLE MARGINAL EFFECTS WITH A SINGLE INSTRUMENT

This paper proposes a new strategy for the identification of the marginal effects of an endogenous multivalued variable (which can be continuous, or a vector) in a model with an Instrumental Variable (IV) of lower dimension, which may even be a single binary variable, and multiple controls. Despite the failure of the classical order condition, we show that identification may be achieved by exploiting heterogeneity of the “first stage” in the controls through a new rank condition that we term covariance completeness. The identification strategy justifies the use of interactions between instruments and controls as additional exogenous variables and can be straightforwardly implemented by parametric, semiparametric, and nonparametric two-stage least squares estimators, following the same generic algorithm. Monte Carlo simulations show that the estimators have excellent performance in moderate sample sizes. Finally, we apply our methods to the problem of estimating the effect of air quality on house prices, based on Chay and Greenstone (2005, Journal of Political Economy 113, 376–424). All methods are implemented in a companion Stata software package.
Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Ruellia (Acanthaceae)

LESTER, R. N. & EZCURRA, C, 1991. Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Ruellia (Acanthaceae). Enzyme etching treatment of seeds of Justicia was tested before scanning electron microscope examination. On all species tested the treatment removed the outer periclinal walls of the epidermal cells of the seeds, revealing the shape and morphology of the anticlinal walls. This treatment provides additional characters of the structure of the testa that may be useful in assessing relationships between species in this large and complex genus, but it proved useless in Ruellia. Here the seeds produce a coat of mucilage when moistened that completely protects the testa from the action of even extensive enzyme treatment.
First report of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in Italy

(TYLCV,formerly TYLCV-Is), was originally described in Israel andcurrently occurs in many countries worldwide (Moriones& Navas-Castillo, 2000). Over the past 5 years, surveys have been conductedin the main tomato production area of Sicily – Ragusaprovince – to determine whether viral species other thanTYLCSV were present. A PCR/RFLP procedure describedby Accotto
Harnessing genotype-by-environment interaction to determine adaptability of advanced cowpea lines to multiple environments in Uganda

This study was conducted to determine the yield stability of advanced cowpea lines in diverse agro-ecological zones of Uganda in order to facilitate documentation requirements for national performance trials (NPT). Thirty cowpea genotypes were evaluated against six checks in three localities, over three growing seasons, making a total of 9 unique environments. The trials were laid in a 6x6 alpha lattice design with three replications and grain yield was the principal trait measured. Single-site and multi-location data were summarized using analysis of variance. Further analysis of stability was visualized using the genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot and the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models. ANOVA depicted highly significant differences among the genotypes, locations, seasons and GEI for grain yield. Based on AMMI analysis, environmental effect accounted for the most variation (84.7%) in the phenotype followed by GE (9.45%) and genotypes (4.45%), alluding to the complex inheritance of grain yield in cowpea. The polygon view and the average environment coordination view of the GGE biplot revealed Ayiyi as the wining genotype in the major mega environment and the most stable and high yielding across environments respectively. The genotypes Ayiyi, WC64 and ALEGIxACC2 yielded higher than the checks and were very stable. The other genotypes G36 (WC 36), G3 (ACC12xSECOW3B), G32 (WC16), and G14 (MU9) did not outperform the checks but displayed high yield stability and the mean yields were above the overall average. These genotypes were considered desirable for advancement to National Performance Trial for potential release as new improved cowpea cultivars. Key words: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GGE), stability, grain yield.
Genotypic variation in transpiration efficiency, carbon-isotype discrimination and carbon allocation during early growth in sunflower.

Transpiration efficiency of dry matter production (W), carbon-isotope discrimination (? ) and dry matter partitioning were measured on six sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes grown for 32 days in a glasshouse. Two watering regimes, one well watered (HW) and the other delivering half the water used by the HW plants (LW), were imposed. Four major results emerged from this study. (1) There was significant genotypic variation in W in sunflower and this was closely reflected in Δ for both watering treatments. (2) The low watering regime caused a decrease in Δ but no change in W; nonetheless the genotypic ranking for either Δ or W was not significantly altered by water stress. (3) A positive correlation between W and biomass accumulation occurred among genotypes of HW plants. (4) Q, the ratio of total plant carbon content to leaf area, was positively correlated with W and negatively correlated with Δ. These results are discussed with reference to the connection between transpiration efficiency and plant growth. In short, Δ can be used to select for W among young vegetative sunflower plants. However, selection for W may be accompanied by changes in other important plant growth characteristics such as Q.
Changes in experimental gillnet catches from the Kafue Floodplain, Zambia, since construction of the Kafue Gorge Dam

The Kafue Floodplain fishery produces an annual fish yield of about 5000 tonnes. The 1971 closure of the Kafue Gorge Dam downstream from the floodplain modified flooding patterns. Pre-impoundment studies predicted this modification would increase fish stocks. Experimental gillnets set in 1975 and 1976 caught 18 species on a regular basis, nine of which were abundant enough for comparison with catches in similar gillnet samples taken prior to completion of the Kafue Gorge Dam. Of these nine species, experimental gillnet catches of three predator species were smaller in 1975–76 than in 1969–70. Catches of only one species increased significantly. Whether this change is due to the modified flooding pattern is unclear; unusually dry flood conditions in 1973 and increased fishing effort may have contributed.