Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Pine Bark on the Efficacy of Different Growth Retardants Applied as a Drench

Dendranthema xgrandiflorum (Ramat.) were grown in either a peat-based or pine bark-based medium and drenched with growth retardants at a range of concentrations to generate dose: response curves. The effect of ancymidol, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole on stem elongation was less in the pine bark-based than in the peat-based medium. Generally, the concentrations required to achieve the same response were 3- to 4-fold as high in the pine bark-based medium as in the peat-based medium. However, chlormequat was slightly more active in the pine bark-based medium than in the peat-based medium. Chemical names used: a-cyclopropyl-α-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol (ancymidol);-(R * ,R * )-β-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethyl)1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol); (E)-( RS )-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-( 1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pent-1-en-3-ol (uniconazole): 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat ).
Running title: Formation of the ovarian reserve

The number of primordial follicles in the ovarian reserve is an important determinant of the length of the ovarian lifespan and therefore the fertility of an individual. This reserve contains all the oocytes potentially available for fertilisation throughout the fertile lifespan. The maximum number is set during pregnancy or just after birth in most mammalian species; current evidence does not support neofolliculogenesis after the ovarian reserve is established, although this is increasingly being re-examined. Under physiological circumstances, this number will be influenced by the number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) initially specified in the epiblast of the developing embryo, their proliferation during and after migration to the developing gonads, and their death during oogenesis and formation of primordial follicles at nest breakdown. Death of germ cells during the establishment of the ovarian reserve occurs principally by autophagy or apoptosis, although the triggers that initiate these remain elusive. This review outlines the regulatory steps that determine the number of primordial follicles and thus of oocytes in the ovarian reserve at birth, using the mouse as the model interspersed with human data where available. This information has application for understanding the variability in duration of fertility in that occurs between normal individuals and with age, in premature ovarian insufficiency, and after chemo- or radiotherapy. Summary sentence: This review outlines the regulatory steps that determine the number of primordial follicles containing oocytes in the ovarian reserve at birth.
Beneficial repercussion of silicon (Si) application on photosynthetic pigments in maize plants.

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element to higher plants. Its effects frequently linked to physiological, morphological, nutritional, and molecular aspects in plants. This study aimed to measure the compounds linked to oxidative stress and cell damages, besides to evaluate the consequences of exogenous Si application on photosynthetic pigments in maize plants (hybrid 30F53YH Pioneer). The experiment employed an entirely randomized design with two silicon treatments (0 and 2 mM Si). The experiment was assembled with five replicates for a total of 10 experimental units, with one plant in each unit. Parameters measured were hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde, besides chlorophylls and carotenoids. The silicon application did not cause significant changes in hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde in leaf and root tissues of plant. On the other hand, the exogenous Si induced significant increases in CHL 'a', CHL 'b' and total CHL. This study proved that silicon promotes beneficial effects on photosynthetic pigments and stability of the cell membrane due to maintenance in oxidant compounds in young 'Zea mays' plants. Therefore, the application of 2 mM Si can be recommended to maximize the chlorophylls in maize crop, which needs further studies on economic reliability.
Impacts of population-level reproductive success on recruitment dynamics in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a highly popular and widely exploited sport fish that provides paternal care to its offspring during the reproductive season each spring. During a catch-and-release angling event, brood predators can enter bass nests and consume embryos, reducing the parental male’s reproductive success. While the negative impacts of angling nesting bass have been well documented, factors affecting the rate at which embryos are consumed by nest predators have not been studied at either the individual or population scale. We conducted field observations in nine lakes in southeastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec with abundant Largemouth Bass populations and varying brood predator densities to assess what factors affect how quickly brood predation begins once the male is removed, how quickly a male returns to his nest after release, and which males abandon their nests. Among nests with predation (65% of all nests), predation began sooner after the male was angled in nests that had higher densities of brood predators nearby. The mean return time of a male was 30.0 minutes after being held in a live well for 15 minutes. The mean consumption rate for all nests that experienced predation was 20.9 fry predator minute, and the rate was higher in nests with higher mating success. The number of fry consumed was positively correlated with brood predator densities near the nest prior to angling, and the size of the remaining brood determined whether or not the male abandoned its nest. Predator density, parental male quality, and mating success were not associated with differences in abandonment decisions.
Vegetative morphology and anatomy of Maundia (Maundiaceae: Alismatales) and patterns of peripheral bundle orientation in angiosperm leaves with three-dimensional venation

Collateral bundles with external position of the phloem characterize the stem vasculature of most seed plants. An earlier study highlighted the occurrence of inverted peripheral bundles in the leafless inflorescence peduncle of the rare Australian aquatic Maundia triglochinoides. This unusual feature and other morphological and molecular data supported the recognition of the monogeneric Maundiaceae, but the anatomy of the leaves, rhizomes and roots of Maundia remained unknown and is studied here. Maundia has an iterative sympodial growth with all shoots bearing five tubular cataphylls splitting longitudinally and simulating open sheaths at maturity and two (or three) linear foliage leaves without a conspicuous basal sheath. This morphology distinguishes Maundiaceae from all other Alismatales. The rhizome has an atactostele with collateral bundles of normal orientation; peripheral bundles are absent. Cataphylls have a series of normally oriented bundles. Foliage leaves are thick, bifacial, semi-elliptical in cross-section, with a thin subepidermal layer of chlorenchyma on both sides, accompanied by peripheral bundles with xylem facing outwards (thus abaxial peripheral bundles are inverted) and central large bundles of normal orientation. Strong anatomical similarity between leaves and peduncles is related to their shared function as assimilatory organs. As in angiosperm succulents, the three-dimensional leaf venation in thick aquatic and helophyte leaves of Alismatales serves to reduce transport distances between veins and photosynthetic cells. In both cases, the patterns of orientation of peripheral bundles (with inverted adaxial or abaxial bundles) are unstable in large clades. These slender bundles cannot be used for the identification of unifacial leaves. Some anatomical characters express homoplastic similarities between Maundiaceae and Aponogetonaceae.
Trophic induction of diapause in native and invasive populations of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Ovipositing females from invasive (Krasnodar Territory of Russia) and native (Far East of Russia) populations of Harmonia axyridis were fed one of a set of diets ranging from 50 Myzus persicae aphids every day to 1 aphid every 10 days and all were also provided with a 10% sugar solution. The experiment was conducted at 20°C under short (12 h) and long (18 h) day conditions. Most of the females from the native population that consumed 50 or 10 aphids per day continued to oviposit under both long and short day conditions. Females that consumed 1 aphid per day or every 2 days practically stopped laying eggs but under long day conditions their ovaries were still active, whereas under short day conditions ca 50% of them were reproductively inactive (only germaria present) and had a well-developed fat body. Further reduction in diet resulted in an increase in the proportion of reproductively inactive females. However, about half of the females that terminated oogenesis under long day conditions had poorly developed fat bodies, which indicates that diapause was not induced. For the females from the invasive population, both photoperiodic and trophic effects were weak: under short day conditions, some females entered diapause when prey was abundant, whereas about 50% (independent of photoperiod) did not enter diapause when starved. This risk-spreading strategy, possibly, facilitates the adaptation of this invasive ladybird to unpredictable environmental conditions.
Assessment of River Herring Spawning Runs in a Chesapeake Bay Coastal Plain Stream using Imaging Sonar

AbstractRecent declines in anadromous river herring (Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis) have been documented in much of their range using fishery-independent spawning run counts. A lack of rigorous long-term run counts and demographic data for Chesapeake Bay spawning stocks resulted in the declaration of unknown stock status in a 2012 stock assessment and made it difficult to evaluate responses to conservation and restoration efforts. The objectives of the present study were to (1) conduct the first spawning run counts of river herring in the Choptank River, Maryland, since the run counts performed over a 2-year period in 1972 and 1973, (2) evaluate population structure and dynamics, and (3) identify environmental variables associated with run timing. Spawning runs of Alewives and Blueback Herring were recorded from March 10 to June 4, 2014, using imaging sonar and processed manually to produce hourly run counts of fish with TLs ranging from 200 to 350 mm. A total of 1,659,09.
Assessing the utility of two- and three-dimensional behavioural metrics in habitat usage models

For deep-diving, wide-ranging marine predators, foraging behaviour is often inferred from movement data. Various metrics are used to do this, and recently, metrics have been developed that consider both horizontal movement and vertical dive behaviour to better describe the use of the 3-dimensional environment these animals inhabit. However, the efficacy of these different metrics in predicting behavioural state is poorly understood. We used first passage time (2-dimensional) and first bottom time (3-dimensional) analyses on tracks derived from satellite-relayed data loggers to quantify and determine seal behavioural state while foraging at sea. Movement and dive data were collected from 38 southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Macquarie and Campbell Islands (in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean). Using a suite of environmental variables, linear mixed-effect models were derived for the 2 broad habitats visited by the seals: shelf and open ocean. The best-fitting models for each foraging metric in each habitat were then compared using a cross validation analysis to identify which foraging metric produced the best predictions of habitat use. In shelf habitats, the 3-dimensional foraging metric provided better predictions than the 2-dimensional metric, while the 2-dimensional foraging metric resulted in the best predictive capacity in the open ocean habitats. These findings highlight the importance of considering the appropriate foraging metrics when modelling foraging behaviour.
Ferramentas de pedometria para caracterização da composição granulométrica de perfis de solos hidromórficos

The objective of this work was to evaluate pedometric tools to characterize the particle size distribution (sand, silt, and clay) and to compare the profiles of hydromorphic soils. The study was carried out in the Guapi-Macacu watershed, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The slice-wise algorithm was applied to slice the profile data at 1-cm intervals, and the equal-area spline function for database harmonization, according to six predefined depth intervals. The analysis of the soil profile collection, using the soil-depth functions (slice‑wise and spline) and the similarity analysis, revealed that Alfisols and Entisols are relatively shallow and have coarse texture in the topsoil layer and a more irregular distribution of clay and silt along the soil profile. These two orders usually occur in the watershed area related to floodplains, valleys, and footslopes. Fluvisols had higher amounts of clay and silt in the topsoil layer, which decrease with soil depth, and they are deeper and occur in alluvial terraces. The approach allowed to characterize the variability of texture along hydromorphical soil profiles and to perform a similarity analysis between soil orders, which can support the differentiation of soil mapping units and the identification of quantitative criteria for soil classification.
Evaluation of the nutritional value of canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers fed to pigs

To determine and to compare nutritional value in canola meal and 00-rapeseed products, four experiments were conducted by using canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers from different sources in pig diets. The objectives of Exp. 1 were to determine and to compare the chemical composition of canola meal from crushing plants in North America with 00-rapeseed meal from crushing plants in Europe, and to compare 00-rapeseed meal from solvent extraction procedure with 00-rapeseed expellers from expeller extraction procedure. Results indicated that concentrations of sucrose, P, K, Zn, and glucosinolates are greater (P < 0.05) in 00-rapeseed meal than in canola meal. Concentrations of GE and acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) are greater (P < 0.05) in 00-rapeseed expellers than in 00-rapeseed meal, but concentrations of CP, Thr, ash, sucrose, crude fiber, NDF, ADL, hemicellulose, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, P, and S were greater (P < 0.05) in 00-rapeseed meal than in 00-rapeseed expellers. In Exp.2, the objective was to determine and to compare the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers when used in growing pig diets. Results indicated that the SID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp in canola meal were 70.6, 84.5, 73.0, and 82.6%. Values for 00-rapeseed meal were 71.9, 84.6, 72.6 and 82.6%, and in 00-rapeseed expellers, values were 74.7, 87.1, 74.0, and 83.4%, respectively. The SID of CP and all AA except Thr, Trp, and Gly in 00-rapeseed expellers were greater (P < 0.01) than in 00-rapeseed meal. In Exp. 3, DE and ME in canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers were determined. Average DE and ME values in canola meal were 3,378 and 3,127 kcal/kg DM, whereas DE and ME in 00-rapeseed meal were 3,461 and 3,168 kcal/kg DM, and in 00-rapeseed expellers, values were 4,005 and 3,691 kcal/kg DM, respectively. Results indicated that 00-rapeseed expellers have greater (P < 0.01) DE and ME than 00-rapeseed meal. In Exp. 4, the objectives were to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers, and to determine the effect of using microbial phytase in diets containing canola meal, 00-rapeseed meal, and 00-rapeseed expellers. The ATTD and STTD of P were 44.99 and 48.82% in canola meal, 45.77 and 50.36% in 00-rapeseed meal, and 44.83 and 48.60% in 00-rapeseed expellers. The ATTD and STTD of P increased (P < 0.001) by 19.09 and 19.15 percentage units for canola meal, 16.76 and 16.90 percentage units for 00-rapeseed meal, and 24.45 and 24.39 percentage units for 00-rapeseed expellers if microbial phytase was used in the diets. In conclusion, with a few exceptions, the concentration of energy and nutrients in canola meal and 00-rapeseed meal is not different. However, the concentration of glucosinolates in canola meal is less than in 00-rapeseed meal. The concentrations of AEE and GE in 00-rapeseed…
Study on Peroxidase and Esterase Isoenzymes and the Ultrastructure of the Space Induced Mutant Leaves of Sainfoin(Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.)

Some of the sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.)seeds returning from a trip to space with the airship "ShenZhou NO.4" sprouted creepy mutants. An analysis of the peroxidase and esterase isoenzymes and the ultrastructure of the leaves of the mutants, those of the space-travelled but stand-up sainfoin plants, and those of the control, was carried out. It shows that all the three examined types have similar band number of peroxidase isoenzymes. The mutant and the control give the same band number of esterase isoenzymes, while the stand-up sainfoin possesses more band number of esterase isoenzymes than the other two. It also shows that, compared to the ultrastructure of the control, that of the two types of space induced sainfoin plants, more particularly the creepy mutant, exhibit the following abnormalities: irregularly thickening of the cell wall, thinning of the cytoplasm, bigger vacuoles, smaller chloroplasts of irregular shapes, smaller but more numerous amyloid granules contained in chloroplasts, and shorter diameter of stroma thylakoid membranes but more membrane layers.
The impact of smartphone advergames characteristics on purchasing intentions: the mediating role of game involvement

This research aimed to investigate the impact of smartphone advergames characteristics on purchasing intentions. Four dimensions were considered (irritation, entertainment, credibility, and informativeness). To achieve this aim, the researchers developed a model based on literature reviews and previous studies; a self-administrated questionnaire was designed and distributed over a convenience sample. The researchers used a quantitative method and a descriptive-analytical approach; the study sample consisted of 600 consumers, and 519 questionnaires were returned with an 86.5% response rate. Various statistical methods, including descriptive, simple linear regression, were used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. This research’s key findings were that there is a statistically direct impact of irritation, entertainment, credibility, and informativeness on consumers’ purchasing intentions. Moreover, there is a mediating role of game involvement between advergames and consumers’ purchasing intentions. Hence, many Jordanian companies can use smartphone mobile advertising to increase sales and create product brand image among consumers. Smartphone advergaming provides numerous opportunities and challenges for advertisers in the current dynamic business environment. AcknowledgmentThe authors are grateful to the Middle East University, Amman, Jordan, for the full financial support granted to this research project.
Spatial variability of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus survival rates and mortality hazard in Saudi Arabia, 2012–2019

About 83% of laboratory-confirmed Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases have emerged from Saudi Arabia, which has the highest overall mortality rate worldwide. This retrospective study assesses the impact of spatial/patient characteristics for 14-and 45-day MERS-CoV mortality using 2012–2019 data reported across Saudi regions and provinces. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was employed to estimate MERS-CoV survival rates, Cox proportional-hazards (CPH) models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for 14-and 45-day mortality predictors, and univariate local spatial autocorrelation and multivariate spatial clustering analyses were used to assess the spatial correlation. The 14-day, 45-day and overall mortality rates (with estimated survival rates) were 25.52% (70.20%), 32.35% (57.70%) and 37.30% (56.50%), respectively, with no significant rate variations between Saudi regions and provinces. Nationally, the CPH multivariate model identified that being elderly (age ≥ 61), being a non-healthcare worker (non-HCW), and having an underlying comorbidity were significantly related to 14-day mortality (HR = 2.10, 10.12 and 4.11, respectively; p < 0.0001). The 45-day mortality model identified similar risk factors but with an additional factor: patients aged 41–60 (HR = 1.44; p < 0.0001). Risk factors similar to those in the national model were observed in the Central, East and West regions and Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern, Madinah and Qassim provinces but with varying HRs. Spatial clusters of MERS-CoV mortality in the provinces were identified based on the risk factors (r2 = 0.85–0.97): Riyadh (Cluster 1), Eastern, Makkah and Qassim (Cluster 2), and other provinces in the north and south of the country (Cluster 3). The estimated HRs for the 14-and 45-day mortality varied spatially by province. For 45-day mortality, the highest HRs were found in Makkah (age ≥ 61 and non-HCWs), Riyadh (comorbidity) and Madinah (age 41–60). Coming from Makkah (HR = 1.30 and 1.27) or Qassim province (HR = 1.77 and 1.70) was independently related to higher 14-and 45-day mortality, respectively. MERS-CoV patient survival could be improved by implementing appropriate interventions for the elderly, those with comorbidities and non-HCW patients.
Dietary Nitrite: from menace to marvel

Background: There are now indisputable health benefits of nitrite when administered in a clinical setting for specific diseases. Most of the published reports identify the production of nitric oxide (NO) as the mechanism of action for nitrite. Basic science as well as clinical studies demonstrates nitrite and/or nitrate can restore NO homeostasis as an endothelium independent source of NO that may be a redundant system for endogenous NO production. Nitrate must first be reduced to nitrite by oral commensal bacteria and then nitrite further reduced to NO along the physiological oxygen gradient. Despite decades of rigorous research on its safety and efficacy as a curing agent, sodium nitrite is still regarded by many as a toxic undesirable food additive. However, research within the biomedical science community has revealed enormous therapeutic benefits of nitrite that is currently being developed as novel therapies for conditions associated with nitric oxide insufficiency. This review will highlight the fundamental biochemistry of nitrite and nitrate in human physiology and provide evidence that nitrite and nitrate be considered essential nutrients. Foods or diets enriched with nitrite can have profound positive health benefits. Keywords: nitrite, nitrate, nitric oxide, curing, nutrition, epidemiology, cardiovascular, cancer, diet, nitrosamines, antioxidants