Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selection efficiency of high inorganic phosphorus-low stachyose lines from soybean breeding populations of different genetic backgrounds

ABSTRACT Reducing the antinutritional components of soybean (Glycine max) seed is necessary for producing animal feed with increased metabolizable energy and nutrient availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate marker-assisted and phenotypic selection for the high inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and low stachyose traits controlled by the Lpa and MIPS1 mutations in six breeding populations. Phenotypic selection for low phytate individuals carrying Lpa mutations using Pi was reliable, but the assay should include parental genotypes to construct thresholds before performing selections, as the effect of Lpa on Pi depends on genetic background. Phenotypic selection for low phytate individuals carrying MIPS1 using Pi should be complemented with sugar data because selection based solely on Pi may be inefficient, as this trait is not environmentally stable in MIPS1 germplasm. Marker-assisted selection for simple sequence repeat (SSR) linked to Lpa2 (Satt527, Satt561) depended on the pedigree of the population suggesting that perfect markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphism) should become the molecular tool for screening a large number of progenies with high efficiency.
Faecal microbiota transplantation: a review of FMT as an alternative treatment for Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common aetiology of hospital acquired infections, the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhoea and a significant clinical and economic burden. Recommended treatment for CDI is prescription of broadspectrum antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment disrupts natural gut microbiota allowing C. difficile to colonize. Clostridium difficile is also resistant to antibiotics and may persist in the gastrointestinal tract for months causing recurrent disease. There is a pressing need for alternate therapies. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising treatment option whereby healthy donor faecal samples are infused into a patient thus, theoretically, restoring normal bowel conditions. Until recently there has been a paucity of randomized controlled trials and reports of FMT efficacy have been limited to case studies and series. Here, a meta-analysis of 684 patients treated with FMT across 23 independent studies was conducted, reporting a mean resolution rate of 90.4%. Three RCTs are included that, although methodologically limited, appear to verify reports of high efficacy in case reports with minimal adverse effects. FMT appears to be a safe, highly efficacious and affordable treatment option. Future research should focus on potential long-term safety concerns and optimizing protocols for donor screening, patient selection and FMT administration.
Prevalence of Cartilage Erosion in Canine Patellar Luxation and Gene Expression in Affected Joints

The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of cartilage erosion in small dogs with patellar luxation (PL), and related osteoarthritis (OA)-related gene expression. In Study 1, 71 dogs were examined to determine risk factors associated with PL, including breed, age, weight, sex, and affected joint. In Study 2, a total of 39 dogs were divided into four groups: normal articular cartilage in the stifle joint (G1; n=5); PL without cartilage erosion (G2; n=11); PL with cartilage erosion (G3; n=14); and OA in the stifle (G4; n=9). Articular cartilage and synovial membranes were collected during surgical operations to correct PL. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the expression levels of 11 OA-related genes, including AGG, COL2A1, HAS-1, HAS-2, TIMP-1, MMP-3, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, COX-1, and COX-2, with GAPDH used as a reference gene. From Study 1, it was found that the risk factors related with cartilage erosion lesion were age, sex, and PL grade (all variables showed P<0.05). From Study 2, it was demonstrated that PL with or without cartilage erosion expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes; some biomolecules were up regulated (IL-1β, MMP-3, AGG, TIMP-1) but some were down regulated (COL2A1, HAS-2, COX-1, COX-2). This expression was the difference between the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane; however, the expression of genes from PL with cartilage erosion was observed to be similar to that of OA. From our results, it can be concluded that PL can develop into secondary OA due to an increase of IL-1β in cartilage and synovial membrane.
Corporate environmental performance, environmental information disclosure, and financial performance: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT As pollution emitters and energy users, firms are important causes of environmental problems, making it increasingly vital for them to strengthen their environmental management and information disclosure policies. However, firms doubt whether it pays to be green and whether it is worthwhile to disclose their environmental information, and there are hot debates on these questions in the literature. This paper analyzes the relationships among corporate environmental performance, environmental information disclosure, and financial performance in China, which witnessed rapid growth at the price of environmental degradation. With 950 observations from 475 Chinese listed companies between 2013 and 2014, we find a U-shaped nonlinear relationship between corporate environmental performance and environmental disclosure, an insignificant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance, and a negative relationship between environmental disclosure and financial performance, which is different from most findings in developed countries. The aforementioned results imply that Chinese firms have few motivations to disclose environmental information or improve environmental performance; therefore, mandatory disclosure of environmental information is necessary, and proper environmental policy should be made to punish environmental violations and encourage better environmental performance.
Effects of residue coverage on the characteristics of soil carbon pools in orchards

ABSTRACT The effects of organic waste coverage on the quality of soil carbon (C) pools in orchards remain unclear. In this study, we performed a 3-year experiment in an 8-year-old Fuji apple orchard to investigate the effects of inter-row weed growing/inner-row pruning residue coverage (PRC), weed coverage (WC), and inter-row weed growing/inner-row non-coverage (used as a control) on the contents of soil water, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, organic C components, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), soil microbial biomass C, and the number of microorganisms at different soil depths. PRC increased the percentage of readily oxidizable C (ROC), whereas WC improved the percentage of soil humin (HM). Thus, PRC enhanced SOC activity, whereas WC promoted SOC stability. Moreover, soil water, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents increased in WC in 0–20-cm soil depths as compared to that in PRC, and the correlation between total GRSP (T-GRSP) and HM (r = 0.92) was higher than that between T-GRSP and ROC (r = 0.79). Therefore, T-GRSP is important in HM formation and maintaining stability of C pools. Overall, these results improve our understanding of the positive effect of organic waste coverage on soil internal C cycling and energy flow within an orchard ecosystem.
Seed development, quality, maturity synchrony and yield of selected mungbean genotypes

A field experiment was conducted during September to November 1992, to examine the pattern of dry matter accumulation in seed and pod, seed quality, and yield performance of five selected genotypes (NM51, NM92, NM94, Pusa 9173 and Kanti) of mungbean. The flowers of each genotype were tagged after anthesis and ten pods were harvested every alternate day beginning the first day after anthesis (DAA). Data on growth of individual seeds fitted well to an asymptotic model (R 2 > 0.85) except that the model overestimated the seed size during the initial days after anthesis. Pod wall reached maximum dry weight between 9 to 11 DAA but seed in a pod attained maximum dry weight between 19 to 21 DAA. Remobilization of dry matter from pod wall to seed was not evident. The genotype NM92 and NM94 exhibited greater rate and longer duration of filling, larger seed size, 20% greater seed yield, and 12% shorter mean maturity index than the other three genotypes. Both the genotypes had about 82% of the total seed yields in the first harvest as compared to only 51% of local Kanti demonstrating that NM92 and NM94 are more synchronous in pod maturity than other genotypes. Seeds of most genotypes exhibited over 90% germination between 15 to 19 DAA and germination rate declined at 21 DAA as the moisture contents dropped to 8-9%.
Growth of weaned Friesian bull calves on a herb sward or with concentrate supplementation during late summer and early autumn

ABSTRACT Growth rates of weaned bull calves in late summer/early autumn can be low in a ryegrass/white clover-based system. This experiment compared the liveweight gain of weaned bull calves (n = 18 per treatment per year, in 3 replicates of 6 bulls) grazed on a herb sward comprised of chicory, plantain, red clover and white clover with bulls grazed on either pasture supplemented with 1.8 kg DM/day of concentrate, or pasture without supplementation. The experiment was repeated over three years. Bulls grazed on the herb sward grew faster (P < .05) than bulls grazed on pasture with or without concentrate supplementation. Liveweight gain of bulls grazed on pasture was less than for bulls supplemented with concentrate in two of the three years (P < .05). A herb sward is a better quality alternative to late summer/early autumn pasture, and could be used to increase liveweight gain of bulls during this period.
A NEW SPECIES OF APTEROUS TELEPHANUS (COLEOPTERA: SILVANIDAE) WITH A

A new species of apterous Telephanus Erichson, T. acrolophus Thomas, is described from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. It is related to T. darlingtoni Nevermann, also described from Jamaica. Based on a study of T. acrolophus and other Telephanus species, plus specimens of most related genera, the following genera are considered to be a monophyletic group of subfamilial rank having a sister group relationship with the rest of the Silvanidae: Telephanus, Cryptamorpha, Psammoecus, Platamus, Aplatamus, Dendrophagus, Brontopriscus, and Uleiota. Phylogenetic affinities within the subfamily and between the subfamily and other taxa of the "cucujid-like" Cucujoidea are also discussed. While examining the unidentified Cucujidae and Silvanidae at the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa, I came across a series of specimens collected by S. and J. Peck near the summit of Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica that at first glance seemed to be misplaced. Closer examination revealed they represented a highly derived species of Telephanus Erichson. To my knowledge, only 1 other apterous Telephanus has ever been described and that is T. darlingtoni Nevermann, also from the mountains in eastern Jamaica. Although the 2 species are clearly related, the description and figures given by Nevermann (1937) of his species and a specimen that I have identified as T. darlingtoni indicate the even more highly derived nature of the species
Biodegradable films of starch/PVOH/alginate in packaging systems for minimally processed lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

As embalagens biodegradaveis podem substituir as nao biodegradaveis quando a vida de prateleira do produto embalado e relativamente curta, como no caso dos alimentos minimamente processados. Neste trabalho o objetivo foi avaliar a eficiencia de filmes biodegradaveis de amido/PVOH/alginato adicionados de 0 ou 0,5% de oleo essencial de copaiba (EOCP) ou de capim limao (EOLM) em comparacao aos filmes de PVC ao longo do armazenamento de alfaces minimamente processadas. As alfaces cortadas em tiras de 1 cm foram dispostas em bandejas de polipropileno armazenadas a 6 ± 2 °C por 8 dias. Filmes de PVC foram utilizados como controle. Os biofilmes apresentaram 11,43 - 8,11MPa de resistencia, 11,3 - 13,22% de elongacao e permeabilidade ao vapor de agua (PVA) entre 0,5 - 4,04 x 10-12 g.s-1.Pa-1.m-1, sendo os filmes biodegradaveis considerados adequados a aplicacao devido as propriedades apresentadas. As alfaces armazenadas em PVC apresentaram queda brusca dos solidos soluveis totais (SST), menor luminosidade (L), maior intensidade da cor amarela (b) e perda de massa (2%) oito vezes menor que as armazenadas em filmes biodegradaveis (12-16%) aos 8 dias de armazenamento. A analise multivariada evidenciou que as alfaces em filmes de PVC perderam qualidade aos 2 dias de armazenamento diferindo dos demais tratamentos. Ja alfaces armazenadas em biofilmes por 2 e 4 dias apresentaram maior similaridade com as alfaces recem colhidas (tempo zero). Os filmes biodegradaveis foram considerados viaveis ao armazenamento de alface minimamente processada.
Preparation of wood specimens for transmitted light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

This paper deals with routine techniques for preparation of wood specimens for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as executed at Tervuren and Leuven. In addition to the preparation of macerations, topics covered include: procedures for softening, cutting, clearing, staining, dehydrating, and mounting of the sections. R? sum? Pr? paration de coupes de bois pour les microscopes optique et ? lectronique ? balayage. Cet article d? crit en d? tail le proc? d? suivi ? Tervuren et Louvain pour la pr? paration de coupes de bois ? l'usage du microscope optique et du microscope ? lectronique ? balayage. En plus du proc? d? de mac? ration, les aspects suivants sont inclus : imbibition et ramollissement du bois, ex? cution des coupes, traitement, coloration, des siccation et montage des coupes.
Effect of Green Manure, Sesbania bispinosa Wight Amendment on Incidence of Sucking Insect Pests, their Predators and Yield in Organic Cotton

Cotton holds the key importance in the economy of Pakistan, but its yield is severely affected due to the infestation of many insect pests. Farmers mostly rely on chemicals to control pests but their adverse effects on human health and their interests are also considerable. Therefore, this study was conducted over two years to evaluate the influence of amendment of soil with green manure (GM) Dhancha, Sesbania bispinosa Wight on the population of cotton sucking insect pests and their predators. Significant impact of GM was found in lowering the population of sucking pests of cotton i.e., Thrips tabaci (Lind), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadus), Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla (Ishida) and Tetranychus urticae (Koch) during both years. Population of predators i.e., Chrysoperla carnea, Geocoris punctipes and Orius sp. was also higher in dhancha treated plots in comparison to control. Application of neem oil was found effective in lowering the population of sucking insect pests during 2014; whereas, application of C. carnea cards showed significant impact after the mid cotton season during 2015. Overall growth and yield parameters were better in dhancha amended organic cotton treatment in comparison to control.
Sequence tagged microsatellites polymorphism : an alternative tool for cultivar identification and evaluation of genetic relationship in Citrus

Genetic relationships among 92 individuals of 8 more economically representative species of Citrus (C. reticulata, C. sinensis, C. aurantium, C. paradisi, C. maxima, C. lemon, C. aurantifolia and C. medica) and 17 other species are estimated by the amplification of 10 loci of SSR named STMS (Sequence Tagged Microsatellites). The potential of STMS for cultivar identification in each species has been evaluated and we have performed a neighbour joining analysis in the basis of a dissimilarity matrix among the different genotypes. Polymorphism of 8 STMS was sufficient to obtain genetic aggregations where three main groups were clearly identified: the orange-mandarin group, the pummelo-grapefruit group and the lime-citron-lemon group. The Citrusspecies relationships were in broad agreementwith those established by previous analyses based on molecular markers and morphological traits, suggesting that SSR data will be useful for exploring intra-generic Citrus genetic taxonomy. The studied microsatellites have not allowed distinguishing varietieswithin some of the species known to have evolved by somatic mutations like sweet oranges and sour oranges. However, polymorphism is detected among lemon varieties. (Resume d'auteur)
Benthic macrofaunal communities along an estuarine gradient in the Jiaojiang River estuary, China

Benthic macrofaunal communities along an estuarine gradient of a macrotidal estuary of the Jiaojiang River, China were analyzed to reveal spatial variations in those communities and their relationships with environmental variables. Benthic macrofauna were collected from 15 sampling stations in May and October 2010. Polychaetes and Mollusks are the dominant taxonomic groups. The species richness, density and Shannon diversity index generally tended to increase as one moved away from shore toward the outer stations of the estuary. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling ordinations indicated the presence of three distinct zones of macrofaunal communities in the estuary. Multivariate analyses showed a strong relationship exists between the macrofaunal communities and the environmental parameters in the Jiaojiang River estuary. Aside from salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphate contents were also the major factor affecting the structure of the macrofaunal communities. The results demonstrated the important effects of nutrient-load on the distributional patterns of benthic macrofaunal communities in nutrient-rich estuaries.
THE EFFECTS OF OXYGENATION AND STARVATION ON THE SYMBIOSIS BETWEEN THE TERMITE, TERMOPSIS, AND ITS INTESTINAL FLAGELLATES

CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 309 TERMOPSIS AND ITS PROTOZOA 3IO EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS 313 a. Starvation 313 b. Oxygenation. 315 c. Starvation and Oxygenation 316 d. Wood-feeding after intervals of starvation and oxygenation to termites with: 317 (I) Leidyopsis, Trichomonas, Streblomastix 318 (2) Trichomonas, Streblomastix 318 (3) Streblom astix 319 (4) Trichonympha, Leidyopsis, Streblomastix 319 (5) Leidyopsis, Streblomastix 320 (6) N o protozoa 320 D ISCUSSION 320 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 321 R EFERENCES 325
Algae from La Serreta cave (Murcia, SE Spain) and their environmental conditions

As part of an extensive study of the caves and abrigos of Murcia province (SE Spain) floristic and environmental data for La Serreta cave are presented for the first time. This cave is 30 m deep, 11 m high, 9 m wide and is located in a karstic region. Photosyntetic active radiation, relative humidity and temperature were measured over a period of2 years, the values fluctuating between 0.1-1,241 μE. m -2 . s -1 , 16.5-81.8% and 9.0-32.4 °C respectively. 18 epilithic algae were identified: 2 Bacillariophyceae, 2 Chlorophyceae, 9 Cyanophyceae and 5 Xantophyceae. Extreme values of the environmental parameters are presented for each taxon in this cave.
The genus Pseudectinosoma Kunz, 1935 : an update, and description of Pseudectinosoma kunzi sp. n. from Italy (Crustacea: Copepoda: Ectinosomatidae)

Pseudectinosoma kunzi sp. n. from cave waters of southern Italy is described. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) supported the morphological analysis. An emended diagnosis of the genus is provided. A plausible paleogeographical landscape is briefly depicted to explain the present-day distribution and ecology of the Pseudectinosoma species.
Life history and phenology of Hydroclathrus clathratus (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) in the Azores.

Hydroclathrus clathratus est une espece commune de l'etage littoral sur les cotes rocheuses de l'ite de Sao Miguel, Acores. particulierement au printemps et en ete. Des boules irregulieres fertiles sont visibles des le debut du printemps jusqu'a la fin de l'ete. Deux types de cycle vital ont ete observes en culture: un type de developpement direct et un autre monophasique et heteromorphe. Dans le cycle monomorphique, des cellules reproductives des echantillons collectes se developpent directement en nouvelles boules avec des sporocystes pluriloculaires. Dans le cycle vital heteromorphique, des plurispores provenant des sporocystes pluriloculaires des thalles creux se developpent en microthalles filamenteux. Ceux-ci donnent naissance a des sporocystes uni- et pluriloculaires a 15-22 °C, que le jour soit long ou court. Les monospores liberees des sporocystes pluriloculaires donnent des gametophytes globuleux tandis que les plurispores se developpent en microthalles filamenteux.
Heterosis and heritability estimates of purine alkaloids and polyphenols in cocoa

Cocoa ( Theobroma cacao L.) is an important allogamous tropical tree crop, whose centre of diversity is considered to be in Central America. Dry cocoa beans from five cocoa clones, and their intercrossed hybrids were analysed based on the variation of alkaloids and polyphenolic compounds contents, in order to gain insights on the heterosis and broad-sense heritability. Polyphenols and alkaloids were analysed at 280 nm by HPLC, using a Photodiode Array Detector (PDA); while anthocyanins were separated with the SEP-PAK Vac 6cc 1000 mg (waters) column and measured at 520 nm with a PDA. Dry cocoa beans displayed high content of purine alkaloids (2.1 and 8.8 mg g-1 for caffein and theobromine, respectively), and polyphenols (25 and 2978 μg g-1 for catechin and epicatechin, respectively). Among the five cocoa clones, SNK16 was the highest in purine alkaloid (caffein and theobromin) and flavanol (catechin and epicatechin); while T79/467 possessed the greatest quantity of cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside. From all the parameters studied, anthocyanins (Cyanidin- 3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside) exhibited the highest level of heterosis. Parental genotypes SNK16 and T79/467 showed good aptitudes for the combination of characters because their reciprocal hybrids F5 and F9, distinguished themselves by better levels of mid-parent heterosis values. Besides, the heritability value in strict sense of this Cyanidin-3-galactoside was very high. Absence of significant difference between genotypes, coming from reciprocal crossbreeding for Cyanidin-3-galactoside, suggests that this character in cocoa would be nuclear contrary to purine alkaloids and flavan-3-ols, where their transmission to offsprings can be stated as cytoplasmic. Key Words : Caffein, catechin, Theobroma cacao
Functional properties of peanut flour as affected by different heat treatments

Etude de l'influence d'un traitement thermique a sec (100 a 160 degres C pendant 15 a 60 minutes), d'un autoclavage (121 degres C de 5 a 30 minutes) ou d'une irradiation (50 a 800 krad) sur la capacite d'emulsification, la capacite d'adsorption et le moussage
The effects of naked neck (Na) gene and sex on the apparent ileal Nitrogen and amino acids digestibility in Growing Meat Type Chicken

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of naked neck gen (Na) and sex (male and female) on the ileal nitrogen and amino acids digestibilties. Chicks were assigned to 4 treatment pens, 2 gene types (homozygous NaNa and heterozygous Nana, naked neck) and 2 sexes, containing 18 chicks each. Chicks in all treatments were fed the same diet. Results showed significant effect of the sex on the final live weight. Therefore, the male birds were 11.6% more heavily than females. On the other hand, neither the sex nor the gene showed significant effect on the gut length and organ weights (gizzard and liver). In addition, there were no significant effects of gene or sex on the ileal nitrogen and amino acids digestibilities, but the male birds had a numerically higher nitrogen and amino acid ileal digestibility compared with female birds and There were negligible differences in amino acid digestibility for birds with Nana gene compare with NaNa gene. However, more researches are required to confirm these results.