Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RESPONSE OF SWEET PEPPER PLANTS (VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND LEAF CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS) TO ORGANIC, BIOFERTILIZERS AND SOME FOLIAR APPLICATION TREATMENTS.

This investigation was conducted in the two successive summer seasons of 2010 and 2011 on sweet pepper plants "Madir" hybride at a private farm at Sahragt El-Soghra near Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt to study the effect of two sources of organic fertilizers (chicken manure and compost), biofertilizers (a mixture of Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus circulans bacteria and Mycorrhiza fungi), some foliar application treatments (seaweed extract, yeast extract and humic acid) and their interaction on vegetative characteristics and chemical constituents of leaves. Results indicated that the highest values of vegetative parameters, i.e., plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, fresh and dry weights as well as chemical constituents of leaves, i.e., chlorophylls (Chl. a, Chl. b and total Chl. a+b), N, P and K percentages were recorded when plants supplied with chicken manure at 2.43 ton/fed. as compared with compost in the two seasons. Plants in the presence of biofertilizers recorded better growth performance and higher values of chemical composition in leaves than untreated plants in the two seasons. Comparing the effect of foliar applications, seaweed extract at 2.5 ml/L or yeast extract at 5 g/L recorded the highest significant values of most formentioned parameters compared with the control in both seasons. in addition, spraying humic acid at 1.5 ml/L came in the second order and significantly increased number of branches, fresh and dry weights in both seasons and leaf area in the second season as compared with the check treatment. The best results of both vegetative parameters and chemical constituents were recorded when plants fertilized with chicken manure at 2.43 ton/fed. and sprayed with either seaweed extract at 2.5 ml/L or yeast extract at 5 g/L in the presence of biofertilizers in both seasons. Therefore, this treatment could be recommended for improving sweet pepper performance under similar conditions of this study.
Productivity, relative yield and plant growth of forage corn intercroppedwith soybean under different crop combination ratio

An experiment was carried out to evaluate influence of different crop combination ratios of corn and soybean in terms of forage yield in corn-soybean intercropping. The experiment compared both corn and soybean as monocultures and in different intercropping ratios from 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 of corn to soybean. The crop combination ratio had significant effects on physiological traits and dry matter yield of forage. The ratio of 75:25 and 50:50 recorded DM yields similar to those of monocropped corn (14.77 t/ha). Relative yield total (RYT) values of intercropping were higher than that of monocrop corn and soybean. Mixtures with 50:50 combination ratio had higher mean total relative yield values (1.15) in comparison with the other ratios. Land equivalent ratio (LER) increased with corn-soybean intercropping and the highest total LER value was recorded with 50:50 ratio (1.13). The crop ratio of 50:50 gave the best combination based on DM yield, relative yield, LER of the combined forage.
SELF-FERTILIZATION IN SUBDIVIDED POPULATIONS

Intermediate rates of self-fertilization can be evolutionarily stable when the progeny of self-fertilization events are less successful migrants than those of outcrossing events, unless self- fertilization reduces an individual's contribution to the pollen pool by an amount equal to the rate at which it self-fertilizes. This result holds regardless of whether pollen or diaspores are more widely dispersed. The differential migration of selfed and outcrossed progeny may be a result of differential establishment with comparable rates of dispersal, or it may be a result of differential dispersal rates. In the first case, detailed predictions concerning the evolutionarily stable selfing rate can be made. In the second case, only qualitative predictions are possible in the absence of specific assumptions about how the migration rate is affected by the average selfing rate in each subpopulation.
TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY IN THE LOWLAND FOREST OF THE CORE ZONE OF THE BUKIT DUABELAS NATIONAL PARK, JAMBI, INDONESIA

RAHMAH, KARTAWINATA, K. , NISYAWATI, WARDHANA, W. & NURDIN, E. 2016. Tree species diversity in the lowland forest of the core zone of the Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi, Indonesia. Reinwardtia 15(1): 11 - 26. — An analysis of the composition and structure of a one-hectare plot of forest on a lowland hill slope in the eastern core zone of the Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi, was conducted in October and November 2012. The objective of the study was to obtain a descriptive account of the structure and tree species composition of a lowland forest in the eastern core zone of the park. The plot was divided into 100 subplots of (10 m × 10 m) each and the seedling subplots (5 m × 5 m) were nested in the sapling subplots. A total of 414 trees were recorded with DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) ? 10 cm, representing 113 species and 38 families, with the total BA (Basal Area) of 25.71 m2 and Shannon- Wiener diversity index of 4.29. Prunus arborea with IV (Importance Value) of 19.19 is the dominant species and the other prevalent species were, Dracontomelon dao (IV =11.46) and Hydnocarpus sp. (IV =11.38). A total of 44 species (38.9%) had each density of 1 tree/ha, which may be considered locally rare. Ficus fistulosa had the highest density (24 trees/ha) and Prunus arborea had the highest BA (3.28 m2 = 12.8% of the total). Only 10 species had F (frequency) of 8-18%, of which Hydnocarpus sp. had the highest (18%); the remaining species had F<8%, which may be considered locally rare. Moraceae (IV= 34.05) was the dominant family. The two richest families were Moraceae (11) and Clusiaceae (9). A total of 61 species were registered in the Sumatra checklist and one of them was endemic (Baccaurea dulcis). A total of 13 species are listed in the IUCN Red List. The forest is a developing community after disturbance in the past with poor regeneration. Species with complete representation of trees, saplings and seedlings will probably remain in the forest in the future.
Wildlife detector dogs and camera traps: a comparison of techniques for detecting feral cats

ABSTRACT A major challenge in controlling overabundant wildlife is monitoring their populations, particularly as they decline to very low density. Camera traps and wildlife detector dogs are increasingly being used for this purpose. We compared the cost-effectiveness of these two approaches for detecting feral cats (Felis catus) on two pastoral properties in Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand. One property was subject to intensive pest removal, while the other had no recent history of pest control. Camera traps and wildlife detector dogs detected cats at similar rates at both sites. The operating costs of each method were also comparable. We identify a number of advantages and disadvantages of each technique, and suggest priorities for further research.
Particulates in the Atmosphere of Makkah and Mina Valley During Ramadan and Hajj Seasons of 1424 and 1425 H (2004 ― 2005)

This work has been devoted to study TSP, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the atmosphere of Makkah and Mina valley during Ramadan and Hajj periods, 1424 and 1425 H. On the occasion of Hajj, about 2.5 million persons gather in Makkah and move to Mina valley (4 km 2 ), 7 km outside east of Makkah. Pilgrims spend 3 nights in the valley. Congested traffic and the high rates of emissions in such a valley of small area coupled with severe weather conditions, make the area ideal for the accumulation of air pollutants. The present investigation shows that the diurnal cycle of PM 10 in air coincides with the pattern of traffic movements. Particulate matters (PM 10 ) daily concentrations in the atmosphere of Mina valley ranged between 191 - 262 μg/m 3 during the presence of pilgrims in Mina compared to the European standard of 50μg/m3. These concentrations represent 34% - 40% of TSP. Moreover, TSP concentrations reached 665 μg/m 3 in Makkah atmosphere during the last ten days of Ramadan compared to the Saudi standard of 340 μg/m 3 . Chemical analysis of PM 10 indicated high levels of sulphates, ammonium, nitrates and chlorides. For example, the concentrations of nitrates and sulphates of PM 10 were about 4.9% and 6.1% respectively, compared to 2.1% of nitrates and 2.7% of sulphates in TSP. Health dangers that might be encountered by pilgrims due to these pollutants were estimated. It is recommended to set a well planned air quality management program to protect the air of Makkah.
Turritopsoides brehmeri, a new genus and species of athecate hydroid from belize (Hydrozoa: Clavidae)

Turritopsoides brehmeri, n. gen., n. sp. , is described from specimens collected on turtlegrass (Thalassia) in a mangrove system at Twin Cays, Belize, Central America. The colony form of T. brehmeri is stolonal, with well developed hydranth pedicels having a distinct sheath of perisarc enclosing a narrower tube of coenosarc. Hydranths are cylindrical and elongate, with numerous scattered filiform tentacles at the distal end. This newly-discovered hydroid differs from other representatives of the family Clavidae in colony form and in the location and characteristics of the gonophores, which are fixed sporosacs arising singly from the hydrorhiza and pedicels.
Effect of Magnetic Water on Some Physiological Aspects of Adult Male Rabbits

The present study was undertaken to search out thebeneficial effect of magnetized water on serumantioxidant, lipid profile and total protein of adult male rabbits. Twenty adult male rabbits were randomly divided into two equal groups and were treated daily for 60 days as follows:Group C:Rabbits of this group were allowed to ad libitumsupplyofdrinking water (control group),Group MG:Rabbits of this group were allowed to ad libitum supply of magnetic water.Fasting blood (for 8-12 hrs) samples were drawn by cardiac puncture technique at different times 0, 30 and 60 days of experiment for measuring the following parameters. Serum glutathione concentration (GSH), lipid profile including serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), total serum protein concentrations (TSP). The result revealed that drinking of magnetic water had beneficial effect on some physiological aspects manifested by a significant elevation in serum GSH, HDL-C and total serum proteins concentration. In addition to significant suppression in serums TC, TAG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C concentrations . In conclusion the results of this study pointed to the prevalence of magnetic water upon normal drinking water in all measures issued.
Camouflage of predatory crab spiders on flowers and the colour perception of bees (Aranida : Thomisidae/Hymenoptera : Apidae)

The crab spider species Misumena vatia (Clerck 1757) can match its colour to the flowers it preys on. It can reversibly change between the colours white and yellow. For the first time, the spectral reflectance functions (including the ultraviolet) of such spiders are measured, and compared with the flowers on which they wait for prey. The bee-subjective similarity of the predators with their flowers is assessed using a model of colour vision for bees. While spiders are well matched to white flowers, the colour similarity between spiders and yellow flowers is not perfect. The UV-absorbing spiders often present themselves on UV-reflecting yellow flowers. From longer distances or for smaller flowers, however, bees may use only their green receptors, and spiders may therefore be well camouflaged. Also, spiders do not necessarily catch insects on the very flowers on which they sit; they sometimes move rapidly within respective infloresences.
Technical Efficiency of Small Scale Vegetable Growers in Sri Lanka: A Comparison of Parametric and Non-Parametric Approach

Many researchers have depicted that most of the up-country vegetable growers have failed to capture technical efficiency due to poor managerial ability of economic resources. It is an undeniable fact that the majority of up-country vegetable farmers are characterized by poor socio-economic status. This paper investigates the resource use characteristics, profitability and technical efficiency of vegetable farming in a sample of vegetable farmers selected from 12 Grama Niladhary divisions in Nuwaraeliya District. The experiment sites were randomly selected based on a list of the Grama Niladhary divisions in Nuwaraeliya secretariat division and the empirical study was carried out based on a sample of 243 small scale vegetable farmers. This paper uses both parametric and non-parametric approaches to estimate technical efficiencies of vegetable farming at production and marketing stages under rain-fed condition in the up-country of Sri Lanka. The parametric approach was adopted under stochastic frontier production function with Cobb-Douglas form. The non-parametric approach in this paper was based on the data envelopment analysis technique in order to estimate technical efficiency of vegetable farming. Both parametric and non-parametric approaches have shown that the average technical efficiency estimates were not at potential level, and there is ample room for increased productivity through improving technical efficiency of vegetable farming. Under parametric approach, the average technical efficiency estimates at production stage and marketing stage were, 74.62% and 67.04%. Under nonparametric approach, the average technical efficiency was 70.86% and 62.84% at production and marketing stages, respectively. To examine consistency of the estimates from two approaches under different specifications, researcher applied independent sample t test, and the results show that the parametric and non-parametric approaches provide different estimates due to measurement and specification errors.
Composition of the cyst wall of the hypotrichous ciliate Laurentiella acuminata. I: Cytochemical, cytophotometrical, enzymatic analysis

La composition cytochimique de la paroi du kyste de L.a. a ete etudiee par cytophotometrie quantitative et a l'aide de methodes enzymatiques et cytochimiques. Des glycosiminoglycanes neutres et carboxyliques ont ete detectes dans l'ectokyste mais aucun glucide dans le mesokyste. Endokyste et couche granulee ont une composition semblable: presence de glycosaminoglycanes carboxyliques, sulfates et neutres. Aucune enveloppe du kystene contient d'elements lipidiques mais toutes renferment des proteines
Reproductive Development of Lotus tenuis (Fabaceae) Crop Defoliated at Different Times and Intensities

Lotus tenuis forage yield has been quantified under defoliation conditions in pastures, grasslands and under dual-purpose production of both livestock forage and seeds. However, little is known about the effects of defoliation management on L. tenuis flower and pod production and subsequent seed yield. Two field experiments were conducted to study the response of L. tenuis to defoliation at different flowering stages and intensities. In Experiment 1, crops were defoliated at the beginning of the flowering (DBF), mid-flowering (DMF) or full flowering (DFF). In Experiment 2, defoliation was in vegetative stage at low (LDI) or high (HDI) intensities. Defoliation in Experiment 1 neither affected plant cover nor the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by the crop during pod production. There were less umbels with dehiscent (shattered) pods in the DFF treatment than in Control, DBF and DMF treatments. Flower peak occurred first in the Control, DBF and DMF treatments, and eight days later in DFF plots, however, seed yield was not affected (1324 ± 32.8 kg·ha-1). Defoliation intensity did not affect seed yield (962 ± 25.9 kg·ha-1) because of self-compensation which increased harvest index in HDI (14.5% ± 0.6%) compared to the Control and LDI (12.0% ± 0.3%) treatments. Plant survival was not affected by defoliation treatments in any of the experiments. Flowering can be synchronized through defoliation. The blooming of large numbers of flowers in a short time was achieved, reducing the number of shattered pods. Compensatory responses through plant plasticity conferred L. tenuis the ability to overcome defoliation without affecting seed yield. Lotus tenuis defoliation as management tool will be considered in future researches because it is possible to harvest forage and to increase seed yield through a reduction of shattered pods.
Review of the Application of Graphene-Based Coatings as Anticorrosion Layers

Due to the excellent properties of graphene, including flexibility that allows it to adjust to the curvature of the substrate surface, chemical inertness, and impermeability, graphene is used as an anticorrosion layer. In this review, we present the current state-of-the-art in the application of graphene in the field of protective coatings. This review provides detailed discussions about the protective properties of graphene coatings deposited by different methods, graphene-based organic coatings, the modification of graphene-based coatings, and the effects of graphene functionalization on the corrosion resistance of protective coatings.
Isolation and identification of bacterial flora from respiratory tract of healthy horses

This study was carried out during the period of July to December, 2014 in order to isolate and characterize bacterial flora present in the respiratory tract of healthy horses in and around BAU campus. Eighteen apparently healthy horses were used for the study. Swab samples were collected from the nasal cavity. The bacteria was isolated ,identified and characterized by cultural (aerobic condition),staining, biochemical and PCR technique. Each of the samples collected yielded at least one bacterial species. A total of 27 bacteria were isolated from the selected animals. The majority of the isolates (15/27, 55.56%) were Gram-positive and the rest (12/27, 44.44%) were Gram-negative. Bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (83.33%) and E. coli (66.66%). The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates was investigated by disc diffusion method. The antibiotic sensitivity test of Staphylococcus aureus revealed that the isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, moderately sensitive to gentamicin and resistance to amoxicilin, ampicilin and erythromycin. On the other hand, E. coli showed moderately sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin, mildly sensitive to erythromycin and resistance to amoxicilin and ampicilin. Detection of E. coli and S. aureus from the respiratory tract of healthy horses were not unexpected. Ciprofloxacin and gentamicin could be used for therapeutic purpose, if diseases occur by these organisms in horses. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 13(2): 239-246, December 2015
Protein Hydrolysate Fractions from Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) Inhibit Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

ABSTRACT Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory capacity was evaluated in hydrolysates from sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus. The pepsin-pancreatin and Alcalase®-Flavorzyme® sequential systems were used. Hydrolysates were characterized in terms of degree of hydrolysis (DH), electrophoretic profile, and inhibitory activity. The Alcalase®-Flavorzyme® system produced hydrolysates with the highest DH, with that produced at 90 min exhibiting the highest ACE inhibitory action (86%). This hydrolysate was chosen for purification by ultrafiltration with five molecular weight cut-offs (< 1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–10, and > 10). The > 10-kDa fraction exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory action (80.7%) and was fractionated by gel fractionation chromatography. Of the 11 resulting fractions, IX had the highest ACE inhibitory action (73.4%) and lowest IC50 value (2-μg prot/mL). Hydrolysis of sea cucumber I. badionotus with the Alcalase®-Flavorzyme® system produced hydrolysates with ACE inhibitory action. These contained a peptide with an IC50 value comparable to those of synthetic ACE inhibitors.
Mucosal homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Inappropriate cross talk between mammals and their gut microbiota may trigger intestinal inflammation and drive extra-intestinal immune-mediated diseases. Epithelial cells constitute the interface between gut microbiota and host tissue, and may regulate host responses to commensal enteric bacteria. Gnotobiotic animals represent a powerful approach to study bacterial-host interaction but are not readily accessible to the wide scientific community. We aimed at refining a protocol that in a robust manner would deplete the cultivable intestinal microbiota of conventionally raised mice and that would prove to have significant biologic validity. Methodology/Principal Findings: Previously published protocols for depleting mice of their intestinal microbiota by administering broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water were difficult to reproduce. We show that twice daily delivery of antibiotics by gavage depleted mice of their cultivable fecal microbiota and reduced the fecal bacterial DNA load by 400 fold while ensuring the animals’ health. Mice subjected to the protocol for 17 days displayed enlarged ceca, reduced Peyer’s patches and small spleens. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the expression of antimicrobial factors to a level similar to that of germ-free mice and altered the expression of 517 genes in total in the colonic epithelium. Genes involved in cell cycle were significantly altered concomitant with reduced epithelial proliferative activity in situ assessed by Ki-67 expression, suggesting that commensal microbiota drives cellular proliferation in colonic epithelium. Conclusion:We present a robust protocol for depleting conventionally raised mice of their cultivatable intestinal microbiota with antibiotics by gavage and show that the biological effect of this depletion phenocopies physiological characteristics of germ-free mice. Citation: Reikvam DH, Erofeev A, Sandvik A, Grcic V, Jahnsen FL, et al. (2011) Depletion of Murine Intestinal Microbiota: Effects on Gut Mucosa and Epithelial Gene Expression. PLoS ONE 6(3): e17996. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0017996 Editor: Markus Heimesaat, Charite, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany Received October 12, 2010; Accepted February 21, 2011; Published March 21, 2011 Copyright: 2011 Reikvam et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: The project was funded by the Norwegian Cancer Society and the Research Council of Norway. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: dag.henrik. reikvam@rr-research.no . These authors contributed equally to this work.