Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Broilers and Layers Fed Graded Levels of Sesame Hull

Abstract Sesame hull (SH), a by-product of sesame cream manufacturing, is rich in methionine, cystine, and calcium and is a moderate source of protein. Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of dietary levels of SH on the performance of broilers and layers. In Studies 1 and 2, as dietary SH level increased up to 12%, the weight gain (WG) and feed conversion (FC) of 2-wkold broilers were negatively affected to become significant at 12% level only. In Study 3, the 28% SH reduced both body weight (BW) and egg production (EP) and significantly increased the FC. Feed intake (FI), egg weight (EW), and Haugh unit score (HU) were not affected by SH levels. Yolk color (YC) and shell thickness (ST) were significantly reduced by the 28% SH diet. The results of these studies indicate that SH, as such, is not recommended in broiler starter diets beyond a level of 8%, but may be used up to 14% in layer diets without apparent ill effects.
Evolution of the molecular mechanisms of pheromone reception in European and Asian corn borer moths

Background: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), exists as two separate sex pheromone races. ECB(Z) females produce a 97:3 blend of Z11and E11tetradecenyl acetate whereas ECB(E) females produce an opposite 1:99 ratio of the Z and E isomers. Males of each race respond specifically to their conspecific female‟s blend. A closely related species, the Asian corn borer (ACB), O. furnacalis, uses a 3:2 blend of Z12and E12-tetradecenyl acetate, and is believed to have evolved from an ECB-like ancestor. To further knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of pheromone detection and its evolution among closely related species we identified and characterized sex pheromone receptors from ECB(Z). Methodology: Homology-dependent (degenerate PCR primers designed to conserved amino acid motifs) and homology-independent (pyrophosphate sequencing of antennal cDNA) approaches were used to identify candidate sex pheromone transcripts. Expression in male and female antennae was assayed by quantitative real-time PCR. Two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology was used to functionally characterize candidate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Conclusion: We characterized five sex pheromone receptors, OnORs1 and 3-6. Their transcripts were 14-100 times more abundant in male compared to female antennae. OnOR6 was highly selective for Z11-tetradecenyl acetate (EC50 = 0.86 ± 0.27 μM) and was at least three orders of magnitude less responsive to E11-tetradecenyl acetate. Surprisingly, OnOR1, 3 and 5 responded to all four pheromones tested (Z11and E11tetradecenyl acetate, and Z12and E12-tetradecenyl acetate) and to Z9-tetradecenyl acetate, a behavioral antagonist. OnOR1 was selective for E12-tetradecenyl acetate based on an efficacy that was at least 5-fold greater compared to the other four components. This combination of specificallyand broadly-responsive pheromone receptors corresponds to published results of sensory neuron activity in vivo. Receptors broadlyresponsive to a class of pheromone components may provide a mechanism for variation in the male moth response that enables population level shifts in pheromone blend use.
Cell Cycle-Dependent Phosphorylation of C/EBPβ Mediates Oncogenic Cooperativity between C/EBPβ and H-RasV12

ABSTRACT CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is a widely expressed transcription factor whose activity is regulated by oncogenic Ha-RasV12 signaling. C/EBPβ is essential for the development of mouse skin tumors containing Ras mutations and can cooperate with RasV12 to transform NIH 3T3 cells. Here we have investigated Ras-induced phosphorylation of C/EBPβ in fibroblasts and report a novel proline-directed phosphoacceptor site at Ser64 within the transactivation domain. Ser64 phosphorylation was induced by activated Ras and Raf but was not blocked by chemical inhibitors of MEK1/2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, JNK, or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Ser64 was efficiently phosphorylated in vitro by the cyclin-dependent kinases Cdk2 and Cdc2. Thr189, previously identified as an ERK1/2 phosphorylation site that regulates C/EBPβ activity, was also a substrate for Cdk phosphorylation. Ser64 and Thr189 phosphorylation was low in serum-starved (G0) cells but was strongly increased in mid-G1 cells and in cells arrested in S or M phase. In addition, phosphorylation on both sites was blocked by treating cells with the Cdk inhibitor roscovitine. In contrast to wild-type C/EBPβ, which enhances transformation of NIH 3T3 cells, mutants bearing alanine substitutions at Ser64 and/or Thr189 inhibited RasV12-induced focus formation. Our findings support a role for C/EBPβ as a nuclear effector of Ras signaling and transformation, and they indicate that cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of C/EBPβ on Ser64 and Thr189 is required to promote Ras-induced transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.
Undulatory Locomotion in Elongate Aquatic Vertebrates: Anguilliform Swimming since Sir James Gray

Anguilliform locomotion is the mode of undulatory swimming used by eels and other elongate vertebrates in which waves (of shorter length than the body of the animal) are propagated posteriorly along the length of the animal, propelling it forward. Although a broad array of vertebrate taxa convergently use this locomotor mode, much of what we know regarding the kinematics of anguilliform swimming derives from the classic work of Sir James Gray in the 1930s on the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. To better understand the variability within this phylogenetically widespread mode of locomotion, I have reviewed recent work on the swimming kinematics of elongate fishes, salamanders and snakes. The amplitude and relative speed of the undulatory waves propagated along the body during swimming differs among elongate vertebrate tax, and can also vary with swimming speed. In addition, the lateral velocity and orientation of tail segments can reach their maxima at different times within a tailbeat cycle (in contrast to Gray's suggestion that these two events occurred simultaneously). Finally, the angle of attack of tail segments is negative during a consistent portion of each tailbeat cycle in the elongate salamander Siren . While this has yet to be examined in other anguilliform taxa, it is possible that they will also show this pattern. Hence, although Gray's descriptions of anguilliform swimming are generally accurate, gaining a broader understanding of this mode of locomotion requires the characterization of the diversity and complexity found among animals using this undulatory mode.
Anti-Obesity and Hypotriglyceridemic Properties of Coffee Bean Extract in SD Rats

Coffee bean extract (CBE) was prepared from raw green coffee beans and contained 10.0% caffeine and 27.0% chlorogenic acid. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 1% CBE for 4 weeks. Although there was no difference in food intake between rats fed the control diet without CBE and those fed the CBE-containing diet, body weight gain and white adipose tissue weight were significantly decreased in CBE-fed rats than in control rats. The CBE-fed group exerted a significant and extreme reduction in serum and liver triglyceride concentrations compared to the control group. Also, in the CBE-fed group, activities of fatty acid synthetic enzymes in the hepatic cytosol were significantly decreased, while that of fatty acid oxidative enzymes in the hepatic mitochondria was significantly increased. Our results suggest that CBE has potent anti-obesity and hypotriglyceridemic properties, and there is a possibility that these effects are exerted at least in part by the suppression of lipogenesis and the acceleration of lipolysis.
Proximate and Phytochemical Analyses of Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum macrocarpon L. Fruits

Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the nutritional and phytochemical constituents of fruits of two indigenous Africa eggplants, S. aethiopicum L. and S. macrocarpon L. Proximate analysis of fresh fruits of S. aethiopicum L. (per 100 g) showed: 89.27 ± 0.12 g moisture, 2.24 ± 0.03 g protein, 0.52 ± 0.04 g fat, 0.87 ± 0.03 g ash, 2.96 ± 0.08 g crude fiber, 4.14 ± 0.11 g carbohydrate and 498.47 ± 2.14 mg calcium, 1.98 ± 0.10 mg magnesium and 1.02 ± 0.02 mg iron. Fresh fruits of S. macrocarpon L. contained (per 100 g): 92.50 ± 0.14 g moisture, 1.33 ± 0.05 g protein, 0.17 ± 0.01 g fat, 0.47 ± 0.02 g ash, 1.11 ± 0.03 g crude fiber, 4.42 ± 0.12 g carbohydrate, 101.56 ± 1.21 mg calcium, 1.01 ± 0.08 mg magnesium and 0.70 ± 0.01 mg iron. There was a significant presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and ascorbic acid in both fruits; terpenoids was found in trace amount. Steroids were present in S. aethiopicum L. and absent in S. macrocarpon L. These phytochemicals are of therapeutic importance; their presence in S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon fruits indicate the beneficial effects of the plants. Solanum aethiopicum L. contained higher levels of the beneficial agents than S. macrocarpon L. The two indigenous eggplants are not only nutritionally and therapeutically valuable, but also have the potential of providing precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs.
Comparative Anatomical and Histological Study of the Alimentary Canal of the Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Complex

Abstract In this study we compared the anatomy and histology of the alimentary canal of Dentroctonus approximatus Dietz, D. mexicanus Hopkins, D. frontalis Zimmermann, and D. brevicomis LeConte. The results show that these species share similar characteristics, and their structural pattern is comparable to that observed in other Dendroctonus species. These 4 species have characteristics not found in other bark beetle genera in the esophagus, crop, proventriculus, and hindgut. The close relationship of the Malpighian tubules to posterior foregut, anterior midgut, and distal hindgut is also different. Additionally, the midgut of the D. frontalis complex species shows a great cellular diversity, which suggests that this region may be involved in pheromone production.
Photosynthesis and photoprotective systems of plants in response to aluminum toxicity

Institute of Horticultural Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People’s Republic of China. College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People’s Republic of China. Fujian Key Laboratory for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People’s Republic of China. Fujian Provincial Institute of Medical Sciences, Fuzhou 350001, People’s Republic of China. College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People’s Republic of China.
Living in Vulcan's forge: Algal adaptation to stressful geothermal ponds on Vulcano Island (southern Italy) as a result of pre‐selective mutations

Four species of eukaryotic algae proliferate in the sulfureous, acidic (pH 3.1) water of the largest geothermal pond on Vulcano Island (southern Italy). Consequently, this pond constitutes a natural laboratory for analysis of adaptation by phytoplankters to extremely stressful conditions. To distinguish between the pre‐selective or post‐selective origin of adaptation processes allowing the existence of phytoplankters in the pond, a Luria‐Delbrück fluctuation test was carried out with the chlorophycean Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides and the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, both isolated from non‐extreme waters; natural water from the Vulcano Island pond was used as selective factor. Preselective, resistant D. chlorelloides cells appeared with a frequency of 4.7 × 10−7 per cell per generation. We propose that the micro‐algae inhabiting this stressful pond could be the descendents of chance mutants that arrived in the past or are even arriving at the present. The genetic adaptation of D. chlorelloides to Vulcano waters could help to explain the survival of photosynthesizers in very stressful geothermal waters during the Neoproterozoic ‘snowball Earth’, a period when primary production collapsed in the biosphere. On the other hand, adaptation to these conditions was not observed in M. aeruginosa, suggesting that cyanobacteria may not be able to develop any kind of adaptation to Vulcano pond water.
Effects of light availability and rainfall on leaf production in a moist tropical forest in central Panama

New leaf production in seasonal tropical forests may result from changes in water or light availability. In this study, the relationship between leaf flushing, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and rainfall was examined for understorey saplings in a moist tropical forest over one year. During the wet season, weeks with greater PAR were correlated with a greater proportion of saplings flushing new leaves during subsequent weeks in nine out of ten species. Rainfall was negatively correlated with subsequent leafing during the wet season for six of ten species. However, during the dry season, rainfall was positively correlated with leafing during the following weeks for six species, but the relationship was much weaker. PAR in the dry season was negatively correlated with flushing in eight species. These results support the hypothesis that under well-watered conditions, light limits leaf production, and peaks in insolation result in greater leaf production.
Ab initio pair potential energy curve for the argon atom pair and thermophysical properties for the dilute argon gas. II. Thermophysical properties for low-density argon

A recent argon–argon interatomic potential energy curve determined from quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations and described with an analytical representation [B. Jäger, R. Hellmann, E. Bich, and E. Vogel, Mol. Phys. 107, 2181 (2009); 108, 105 (2010)] was used to calculate the most important thermophysical properties of argon governed by two-body interactions. Second pressure, acoustic, and dielectric virial coefficients as well as viscosity and thermal conductivity in the limit of zero density were computed for natural argon from 83 to 10,000 K. The calculated values for the different thermophysical properties are compared with available experimental data and values computed for other argon–argon potentials. This extensive analysis shows that the proposed potential is superior to all previous ones and that the calculated thermophysical property values are accurate enough to be applied as standard values for the complete temperature range of the calculations.
Community food web, decomposition and nitrogen mineralisation in a stratified Scots pine forest soil

A soil community food web model was used to improve the understanding of what factors govern the mineralisation of nutrients and carbon and the decay of dead organic matter. The model derives the rates of C and N mineralisation by organisms by splitting their uptake rate of food resources into a rate at which faeces or prey remains are added to detritus, a rate at which elements are incorporated into biomass, and a rate at which elements are released by organisms as inorganic compounds. The functioning of soil organisms in the mineralisation of C and N was modelled in the soil horizon of a Scots pine forest. The organic horizon was divided into three distinct layers, representing successive stages of decay, i.e. litter, fragmented litter, and humus. Each of the layers had a different, quantitative, biota composition. For each layer the annual C and N mineralisation rates were simulated and compared to observed C and N mineralisation rates from organic matter in stratified litterbags. Simulated C and N mineralisation was relatively close to measured losses of C and N, but the fit was not perfect. Discrepancies between the observed and predicted mineralisation rates are discussed in terms of variation in model parameter values of those organisms that showed the highest contribution to mineralisation rates. The measured, and by the model predicted, significant decrease in mineralisation rates down the profile was not explained by the biomass of the primary decomposers and only partly by the total food web biomass. Modelling results indicated that indirect effects of soil fauna, due to trophic interactions with their resources, are an important explanatory factor. In addition, the analyses suggest that community food web structure is an important factor in the regulation of nutrient mineralisation. The model provided the means to evaluate the contribution of functionally defined groups of organisms, structured in a detrital food web, to losses of C and N from successive decay stages.
The Incidence of Embedded Shot in Waterfowl in Atlantic Canada and Hudson Strait

Abstract From 1989-1998, in Canada’s Atlantic Provinces and eastern sub-arctic region, migrant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), wintering American Black Duck (Anas rubripes), Mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and incubating Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) were captured and examined with a fluoroscope to determine if shotgun pellets were embedded in their tissues. Of 1,624 birds examined, 25% carried embedded shotgun pellets. The highest proportion of birds carrying pellets was recorded in the sample of female Common Eider captured on nests in Labrador, followed by female eiders nesting in Newfoundland, Quebec and Nova Scotia and migrant Canada Geese in spring in Prince Edward Island.
CONVENTIONAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GENUS Euphorbia WEEDS: AN INSIGHT

Euphorbia esula L. (leafy spurge), E. geniculata Forssk. (painted spurge), E. heliescopia L. (sunspurge), E. hirta L. (pill bearing spurge), E. heterophylla L. (wild poinsettia) and E. microphylla B. Heyne ex Roth (Box-leaved Barberry) are the most damaging Euphorbia weed species found in pastures, rangelands, grasslands and field crops in Pakistan. Herbicides like picloram, dicamba, 2, 4-D, glyphosate, quinclorac, sulfometuron, clopyralid, diflufenzopyr are effective in controlling Euphorbia species in pastures, grasslands and rangelands. Oxadiazon, chlorimuron, pendimethalin, 2, 4-D, sulfosulfuron, metribuzin, metsulfuronmethyl, fluroxypyr, fluchloralin, trifluralin, bispyribac-sodium, penoxsulam, glyphosate, chloransulam-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, imazethapyr, fomesafen, lactofen, flumiclorac-pentyl, bentazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, imazipic, amicarbazone, sulfentrazone, mesotrione, ametryn, atrazine, diuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, oxyflurofen and prometryn gave an efficient control of Euphorbia species in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Metrill, Chilli (Capsicum annum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), citrus, rice (Oryza sativa L.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Addition of N and adjuvant to herbicides has potential for improved control of Euphorbia species. Innovative herbicide application methods like roller applicator, nontrope pipewick applicator, ropewick applicator and microfoil nozzle boom could reduce herbicide input by 50% without compromising level of control. Antennaria microphylla has been reported to be allelopathic to Euphorbia spp. Grass competition (crested wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, reliant intermediate wheatgrass, Russian wild rye and rebound smooth brome) have been recognized as an effective way to control Euphorbia spp.
Growth and carbon relations of temperate deciduous tree species at their upper elevation range limit

Temperature is one of the most important drivers of range limits in plants. Here, we aimed at disentangling the direct effect of low temperature and the indirect temperature effect via the length of the growing season on radial growth and carbon resources of deciduous temperate tree species at their high‐elevation limit in the Swiss Alps. Trees of eight species were cored along three elevational gradients of ca. 1000 m up to the specific high‐elevation range limit. We correlated basal area increment (BAI) with mean temperature during the growing season and length of the growing season, derived from a thermal time model. Stem sapwood of cored trees was analysed for non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations. The frequency of negative event years (exceptionally narrow tree rings) did not significantly increase with elevation except for Fagus sylvatica. Late season non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations remained at a high level across elevations in all species, suggesting that trees are not carbon‐limited at their high‐elevation limit. Annual BAI showed no significant change over a wide range of elevations, before it gradually decreased over the last few hundred (300–500) metres below the range limit, with an abrupt decrease in few species at the range limit. Annual BAI correlated with the mean temperature during the growing season in the uppermost 400 m of elevation. The length of the growing season had only a significant effect on BAI at warm mean temperatures during the growing season (i.e. at lower elevation or during warmest summers). Synthesis. While temperature has a strong effect on wood formation, the length of the growing season is negligible for stem growth at high elevation due to the low rate of wood formation at low temperature and the over‐proportional increase of growth with warmer temperatures. We ruled out a direct growth limitation by low temperature as the limiting factor of the upper distribution limits and rather suggest that the formation of range limits (not necessary the rate of growth) is set by a minimum requirement of warmth and season length to fully mature key tissues such as seeds, shoots or winter hardy buds.
Assessment of the Effective Factors of Social Responsibility Disclosure of Listed Consumer Goods Firms on Nigerian Stock Exchange

This study investigated the relationship between some characteristics of firms including firm size, profitability and financial leverage with social responsibility disclosure of listed consumer goods firms on Nigerian Stock Exchange. Three research objectives and hypotheses were formulated respectively to guide the study. The study adopted Ex-post facto research design. Population and sample size of the study is made up of twenty one consumer goods firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at the year, 2019. The secondary data used in the study were sourced from the publications of Nigeria Stock Exchange and annual reports and accounts of the sampled firms. Content analysis was used to measure corporate social responsibility disclosure and multiple regression analysis with the aid of E-View 9.0 statistical software was used to ascertain whether there is a significant relationship between social responsibility disclosure and the studied characteristics of firms. Findings of the study revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between firm size; profitability; leverage and corporate social responsibility disclosure. This study therefore advocates for improved corporate social responsibility disclosure as this will enhance greater collaboration between firms and her stakeholders.