Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of reproductive and morphological parameters on local populations of goats in north-east of Romania.

The purpose of this paper is to present a summary with reference to the reproductive and morfologigical parameters specific to local populations of goats raised in north-east of Romania. The research was conducted on a number of 955 individuals, divided into six populations. Working methods used are specific to this type of research and refers to the macro and microscopic measurements, free assessments and statistical analysis. As a result of body measurements, it appears that goat populations studied have a mid-body development, with height of 72.5 cm for males and 64 cm in females. Regarding the exterior features, uniform white color has been shown to over 32% of individuals, horn at 50.44% and beard to over 90% of goats studied. Regardless of color or body region where it was harvested, the hair has an average length of 12 cm, is devoid of undulations and is characterized by an average of over 104 μ thick. In terms of reproductive parameters, goat populations in north-eastern Romania is characterized by a 97.4% fertility and prolificacy of 129.6%. Evaluating these parameters, it is clear that local populations of goats raised in the north-east of Romania are relatively homogeneous if we consider the degree of physical development, or the presence of beard, but highly heterogeneous in terms of coat color.
Studies on the sex pheromone of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, with special regard to ecdysone excretion

Abstract Shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) were submitted to new bioassay procedures, and ecdysone excretion was measured by RIA technique to answer the question, whether the common moulting hormone of arthropods acts as a sex attractant in this species. The results indicate that juvenile and adult shore crabs excrete ecdysones during the entire moulting cycle. An adult pre-moult female excreted batches of ca. 8 ng ecdysones at a 3.75 h frequency. Artificial ecdysone solutions did not show any pheromonal activity. The unknown pheromone is probably excreted rhythmically by pre-moult females via the antennal glands. Its action range proved to be no longer than 10–20 cm. The pheromone shows interspecific action between Carcinus maenas and Macropipus depurator.
Evaluation of Multienvironment Trials of Peanut Cultivars

Multienvironment yield trials (MET) for advanced peanut lines are conducted each year at the EEA-Manfredi Peanut Breeding Program, the main INTA program for developing new peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars for cultivation in the Argentinean crop area. The main objective of this work was the simultaneous analysis of several multienvironment yield tests first to identify superior cultivars for the peanut crop area in Argentina, and second to investigate if different megaenvironments exist. The simultaneous evaluation of several years of MET provides information that allows researchers to better guide breeding strategies. We analyze a 6-yr series of grain yield data from MET, involving 18 genotypes and five test locations using six by-year analyses of complete yield data sets and an Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) mixed model analysis combining all 6 yr of MET. AMMI models in a mixed model framework were used for exploring genotype-environment (GE) interaction since the lists of genotypes annually tested in multienvironment trials vary from year to year since new genotypes are introduced every year and others are withdrawn. The results allowed us to identify mf484 and mf505 as superior cultivars and confirm the existence of a unique megaenvironment for identifying high yield cultivars in the peanut crop area of Argentina. The mixed model approach of MET data was successfully implemented to analyze highly unbalanced GE data sets.
Genetic analysis for yield and its components in hybrid pigeonpea

Mahalanobis D2 statistics was applied to assess the divergence among the 36 hybrids and three checks of pigeonpea. The hybrids were grouped into nine clusters, where cluster I was the largest containing twenty one hybrids followed by cluster II with seven hybrids. The inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster III and VIII followed by III and VI and seed yield contributed the most (22.2) towards genetic divergence. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was noticed for seed yield, number of primary branches per plant and secondary branches per plant suggesting additive gene action controlling these traits. Seed yield showed positive correlation with all the characters studied except 100-seed weight. Genotypic path analysis revealed that the maximum direct effect on seed yield was exhibited by number of primary branches per plant, days to 50% flowering and number of pods per plant.
Phospholipids of Plasma Membranes Isolated from Rat Ascites Hepatomas and from Normal Rat Liver

Phospholipid analyses were made on whole cells and isolated plasma membranes (PM) of six different lines of Yoshida ascites hepatoma and normal liver. The hepatoma PM had lower percentage levels of choline phosphoglycerides and phosphatidylinositol, and higher percentages of sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine in total phospholipids than liver PM. Similar tendencies were observed in the whole cell phospholipids, although such trends were not observed in the mitochondrial or microsomal fractions. The lysophospholipid percentages in hepatoma PM were lower than those in liver PM. Hepatomas had higher percentage levels of plasmalogen in total phospholipids than normal liver, in both whole cells and PM. PM from island-forming hepatomas contained more plasmalogen than PM from their free-cell sublines. Localization of plasmalogen was observed in PM and certain intracellular organelles of island-forming hepatomas by histochemical plasmal reaction. In carcinogenic process alterations are observed in cell surface properties and some of these changes are associated with abnormalities in the "social" behavior characteristics of malignant tumor cells. The alterations in the plasma membrane (PM) conformation appear to be mainly responsible for such social abnormalities. The PM consists mainly of proteins and lipids but small amounts of sugar are also found in these two components. In membrane lipids the phospholipids are the predominant component, and they seem to serve as the basal substance which may regulate the distribution of various biologically-active constituents on the cell surface upon interaction with proteins. In spite of such important roles for phospholipids in the membrane structure, the relationship between abnormal lipid composition or distribution and the biological abnormalities in PM of cancer cells is not yet fully investigated, largely because of the difficulty in isolating PM. There are some reports that have dealt with the lipid composition of PM of malignant cells (2, 3, 21, 23) but the types of cancer cells employed were rather limited. As reported elsewhere (13), the present authors succeeded in isolating PM from a variety of rat hepatoma cell types, as well as from rat liver with sufficient purity for
Growth and development in beef cattle. 1. Direct and residual effects of plane of nutrition during early life on components of gain and food efficiency

SUMMARY Low, medium and high planes of nutrition were imposed on Friesian calves from 1 to 13 weeks of age (Period 1) and factorially arranged with low and high planes of nutrition in the 13–25 week period (Period 2). In the final (residual) period, from 25 weeks to slaughter, all animals were given the same high plane diet comprising 3·5 kg of concentrates and grass silage ad libitum. The different planes of nutrition were achieved by offering restricted allowances of milk replacer or concentrates with grass silage ad libitum. Representative animals were slaughtered at 1, 13 and 25 weeks of age while the remaining animals were slaughtered at mean liveweights of 503 and 553 kg. Over 2 years, a total of 120 Friesian steers were taken through to the final slaughter point, with 60 additional animals being slaughtered at interim stages. The animals were housed in non-bedded accommodation throughout the study and the calves were born in January of each year. The ME intake of the low plane animals in Period 1 was 0·55 that of the high plane animals and produced liveweight (LW), empty body (EBW), carcass (CW), non-carcass (NCW) and alimentary tract (ALW) weight gains which were 0·60, 0·46, 0·47, 0·44 and 0·55 of the gains of the high plane animals. In Period 2 the low plane animals had ME intakes which were 0·69 of the high plane animals and produced proportional gains of 0·57, 0·48, 0·45, 0·51 and 0·56 respectively. Previously restricted animals had higher rates of gain subsequently and the indices for weight compensation by the final slaughter point in LW, EBW, CW, NCW and ALW for the low plane treatments in Period 1 were 0·72, 0·82, 0·89, 0·73 and 0·97 while indices for low v. high in Period 2 were 0·82, 0·82, 0·79, 0·86 and 0·95. With lower plane animals, food intakes/liveweight0·75 were significantly higher during the compensating period. Calves which had been restricted in either of the early periods had significantly improved food conversion efficiency during the compensating period but lifetime food efficiency was not affected by plane of nutrition in early life.
Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Effects of Alum Treatment of Lake Morey, Vermont

ABSTRACT Lake Morey received one hypolimnetic treatment with alum and sodium aluminate in 1986 to reduce the occurrence of algae blooms caused by internal P loading. Thirteen years of post-treatment monitoring have documented a sustained improvement in water quality in the lake. Comparison of pre-treatment (1977–1985) and post-treatment (1986–1998) data indicated that significant improvements occurred in all water quality variables measured, including spring TP (reduced 66%), summer photic zone TP (reduced 68%), summer photic zone Chi a (reduced 61%), summer Secchi disk transparency (increased 79%), late summer hypolimnetic TP (reduced 83%), and late summer hypolimnetic DO (increased 193%). The one-time alum/aluminate treatment of Lake Morey has thus far succeeded in breaking a cycle of sediment P release and re-precipitation that was initiated during an earlier period in the lake's history. Relative weight loss was observed in samples of large yellow perch during the 3 years immediately following the tre.
Proximate and nutrient analysis of selected vegetable species: A case study of Karak region, Pakistan

Karak, an arid region, have limited water and land resources to cultivate various crops specially vegetables. However, a few seasonal vegetable are available to the local communities in meager quantities. The ash, carbohydrate, protein, moisture, fat, fiber contents, energy values and nutrient composition of eight vegetables’ Abelmoschus esculentus, Spinacia oleraceae, Praecitrullus fistulosus, Luffa acutangula, Allium sativum, Amaranthus viridus, Chenopodium album and Momordica charantia were determined. Among these, A. sativum, S. oleraceae and C. album have the highest micro and macronutrients.
Quality of chronic kidney disease management in primary care: a retrospective study

Abstract Background: Early detection and appropriate management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Aim: To assess the quality of care (QoC) of CKD in primary healthcare in relation to patient and practice characteristics in order to tailor improvement strategies. Design and setting: Retrospective study using data between 2008 and 2011 from 47 general practices (207 469 patients of whom 162 562 were adults). Method: CKD management of patients under the care of their general practitioner (GP) was qualified using indicators derived from the Dutch interdisciplinary CKD guideline for primary care and nephrology and included (1) monitoring of renal function, albuminuria, blood pressure, and glucose, (2) monitoring of metabolic parameters, and alongside the guideline: (3) recognition of CKD. The outcome indicator was (4) achieving blood pressure targets. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied to identify associated patient and practice characteristics. Results: Kidney function or albuminuria data were available for 59 728 adult patients; 9288 patients had CKD, of whom 8794 were under GP care. Monitoring of disease progression was complete in 42% of CKD patients, monitoring of metabolic parameters in 2%, and blood pressure target was reached in 43.1%. GPs documented CKD in 31.4% of CKD patients. High QoC was strongly associated with diabetes, and to a lesser extent with hypertension and male sex. Conclusion: Room for improvement was found in all aspects of CKD management. As QoC was higher in patients who received structured diabetes care, future CKD care may profit from more structured primary care management, e.g. according to the chronic care model. Key points Quality of care for chronic kidney disease patients in primary care can be improved. In comparison with guideline advice, adequate monitoring of disease progression was observed in 42%, of metabolic parameters in 2%, correct recognition of impaired renal function in 31%, and reaching blood pressure targets in 43% of chronic kidney disease patients. Quality of care was higher in patients with diabetes. Chronic kidney disease management may be improved by developing strategies similar to diabetes care.
Development of zero trans/low sat fat systems structured with sorbitan monostearate and fully hydrogenated canola oil

Currently, lipid scientists are searching for alternatives or solutions to a concern widely discussed by health organizations around the world, namely, the demand to limit the amount of saturated fat intake by the population. The present work considers the development of a lipid system with zero trans fat and low contents of saturated fatty acids (low sat). Palm oil (PO) was used as zero trans fat basis and canola oil (CO) as a source of low sat lipids. The functional attributes of these mixtures were adjusted by the incorporation of a structuring agent (sorbitan monostearate—SMS) and a crystallization modifier (fully hydrogenated canola oil—FHCO). Blends of PO with CO were formulated and the effects of adding 6% of a mixture of FHCO and SMS (50:50 w/w) to the samples were evaluated measuring the solid fat content by NMR, the thermal events by DSC and the polymorphism by XRD. Result for the oil blend (50:50 PO:CO) indicated a reduction of 40.52% in the content of saturated fatty acids compared to the original sample (100:0 PO:CO). The additives increased the consistency and the thermal resistance of the samples and proved to be effective in forming a homogeneous structural network, ensuring the continuity of the liquid oil inside the lipid matrix. Practical applications: This research on oleogels systems has demonstrated the great potential of structuring agents for a wide variety of applications. The oil-based fats development can be used to replace high saturated fats or hydrogenated oils in formulation of margarines, shortenings, spreads, and other specific applications. Blends of palm oil and canola oil (100:0, 75:25 and 50:50) and these mixtures adjusted by the incorporation of 6% of a 50:50 (w/w) mixture of fully hydrogenated canola oil and sorbitan monostearate (100:0S, 75:25S and 50:50S) at 25°C. Polarized light micrograph of crystals structure were obtained under static isothermal crystallization. The additives proved to be effective in forming a homogeneous structural network, ensuring the continuity of the liquid oil inside the lipid matrix.
Vessels of Illicium (Illiciaceae): Range of Pit Membrane Remnant Presence in Perforations and Other Vessel Details

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of vessels from radial sections of Illicium wood showed a wide range of pit membrane remnant presence within any given species and within the seven species studied here. Earlier studies showed that dried specimens offer a reliable indicator of pit membrane presence. In all species, wide variation occurs, from intact pit membranes to perforations virtually free of pit membrane remnants. Illicium parviflorum has the largest number for the genus of perforation plates, with little or no pit membrane presence, although, in some plates, appreciable pit membrane presence was evident. Species differ in the forms taken by the pit membrane remnants: threads running axially in the perforations are common, but weblike conformations or pit membranes perforated by small circular to oval pores are other commonly encountered conditions. Artifacts attributable to handling and other factors are analyzed to obtain an image of pit membrane presence. Pit membrane remnant presence is consistent with the presence of other strongly primitive features of Illicium and its near‐basal position in phylogenetic trees based on molecular data. Unusually narrow and sparse helical thickenings are figured with SEM for the genus for the first time; these thickenings occur in three species from habitats in which winter freezing occurs.
Biomass properties from different Miscanthus species.

Miscanthus, a peculiar genus originating from East Asia, has been considered a promising type of gramineous plant for the bioenergy industry. In this study, four major Miscanthus species widely distributed in China, Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus floridulus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, and Miscanthus lutarioriparius were assessed for their biomass production, chemical composition, and saccharification efficiency. Results show that the annual dry biomass yields of M. sinensis, M. floridulus, M. sacchariflorus, and M. lutarioriparius averaged 16.7, 22.5, 16.7, and 32.0 t ha−1 over 3 years, respectively. M. sinensis and M. floridulus have similar chemical compositions, but different from M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius. The efficiencies of enzymatic saccharification were assayed after pretreatment with dilute acid and green liquor, respectively. The M. sinensis and M. floridulus biomass displayed higher saccharification efficiency in the case of dilute acid pretreatment, while the M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius biomass showed higher efficiency following the green liquor pretreatment. Furthermore, a rapid estimation model for predicting Miscanthus biomass saccharification efficiency was established on the basis of near-infared reflectance spectrometry analysis.
Genetic differentiation and phylogeny of beech on the Balkan peninsula

Genetic differentiation of 57 beech populations originating from a wide geographical space from the foothills of the Eastern Alps over the Balkan peninsula was investigated employing isozyme markers. Pooled datasets of European beech populations originating from four adjacent regions and Eastern beech populations originating from Thrace and Western Asia Minor were compared. Considerable differences of allele frequencies among regions were found in several marker loci. The highest level of genetic multiplicity and differentiation was found in the populations from the southern Balkans; however, the north‐western populations showed higher genetic diversity. The pattern of genetic differentiation based on multilocus genetic distances is a clinal one. The populations belonging to the putative taxon Fagus moesiaca Czeczott seem to form an independent group. Three hypotheses of the evolutionary origin of this taxon are discussed: selection, introgressive hybridization and continuous evolution.
Dissecting adaptive clinal variation: markers, inversions and size/stress associations in Drosophila melanogaster from a central field population

Many organisms show latitudinal variation for quantitative traits that is assumed to be due to climatic adaptation. These clines provide an opportunity to study the genetics of the adaptive process both at the phenotypic and the underlying molecular levels. Yet researchers rarely try to link variation in quantitative traits to their underlying molecular genetic basis. We describe a novel approach for exploring the genetic basis for clinal variation in size and stress traits in Drosophila melanogaster. We look for associations between genetic markers and traits that exhibit clinal patterns on the east coast of Australia using a single, geographically central population. There are strong associations between markers found within In(3R)Payne and variation in size, suggesting that this inversion explains much of the clinal variation in this trait. We also find that development time is associated with the Adh allozyme locus, cold resistance is negatively associated with the In(3L)Payne inversion and a genetic marker for Hsp70, a heat-shock protein, is associated with heat resistance. Finally we discuss the importance of inversions in clinal variation for quantitative traits and for identifying quantitative trait loci.
Effect of Gender on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat and Fat Composition of Pigs Slaughtered at 125 kg of Live Weight Destined to Teruel (Spain) Ham Production

Duroc x (Landrace x Large White) barrows (n=60) and gilts (n=72), that consumed the same feed during the experimental period (25-125 kg of live weight) were used. The duration of experimental period was 130 and 143 days for barrows and gilts respectively. The average daily gain and average daily feed intake were significantly higher (P<0.05) in barrows than in gilts, but no significant differences between sexes were observed for the feed conversion efficiency. The gender had not significant influence on carcass weight, carcass yield, carcass inner length, ham length and perimeter, but fat thickness at the level of Gluteus medius muscle and the last rib were significantly higher (P<0.05) in barrows than in gilts. The number of thighs removed per pig in the slaughterhouse was significantly higher in gilts than in barrows. The intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage in Longissimus dorsi muscle was significantly higher in barrows than in gilts. The C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 n-9, C20:1 and MUFA proportions were significantly higher (P<0.05) in barrows than in gilts, while C10:0, C18:2 n-6, n-6 and PUFA proportions were higher in gilts than in barrows. Positive relations among IMF and C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 n-9, SFA and MUFA fatty acids were observed, whereas negative relations among IMF and C18:2 n-6 and PUFA fatty acids were detected. These results indicate that meat and fat quality was slightly better in barrows than in gilts.
Stock Origins of Chinook Salmon in Incidental Catches by Groundfish Fisheries in the Eastern Bering Sea

Abstract An estimated 386,946 chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were taken in incidental catches by foreign and joint-venture groundfish vessels operating in the Bering Sea portion of the U.S. exclusive economic zone, 1977–1986. Concern about the effect of incidental catches on the salmon fisheries of western Alaska provided the impetus for a study to determine the stock origins of chinook salmon in these catches. The proportions of regional (Asia, western Alaska, central Alaska, and southeast Alaska–British Columbia) and western Alaskan subregional (Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Bristol Bay) stocks of Chinook salmon in 1979, 1981, and 1982 samples collected by U.S. foreign fishery observers were estimated by scale pattern analysis. Estimated proportions ofthe regional stocks averaged 60% western Alaska, 17% central Alaska, 14% Asia, and 9% southeast Alaska-British Columbia. Western Alaska, which included Canadian Yukon fish, was the predominant regional stock in most age-group, time, and area strata. Stock.