Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weed Pressure on Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Meghalaya, India

Groundnut, known as king of oilseeds grown in India and is one of the most important food as well as cash crop of our country. It is gaining importance due to its contents namely, 48-50% of oil and 26-28% of protein. It’s photo insensitive, mid-season drought tolerant and has wide range of adaptability to various agro-climatic situations. Globally, Groundnut is grown on an area of 24.38 million ha, 40.78 million metric tons of production with 1.67 metric tons productivity during 2016 (FAS/USDA, 2016). In India, it is cultivated over an area of 4.50 million hectares, with a production of 4.70 million metric tons. However, its productivity is low (1.04 metric tons per hectares) when compared to worlds’ average productivity (FAS/USDA, 2016).
Analysis of growth curves in different lineages of Caipira broiler type

The objective of this work was to identify, by means of different statistical criteria the ideal nonlinear regression model to describe the growth curve of three lineages of caipira broiler for meat production. A total of 90 birds were used, being 30 birds from each of the following lineages: Pescoco Pelado , Carijo and Pesadao Vermelho . The individual body weight of broilers (1, 7, 14, 21,28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84 and 91 days of age) was collected weekly for determination of growth curves by means of Models von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards and Brody. The parameters of Brody model did not converge to the weight of strains. The model that better adjusted to the data was Logistic.
Antimicrobial activity of fifteen Italian honeys against Paenibacillus larvae ATCC 9545

SAGONA S. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University TURCHI B. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University FRATINI F. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University GIUSTI M. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University TORRACCA B. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University BIONDI C. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University NUVOLONI R. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University CERRI D. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University FELICIOLI A. Department of Veterinary Science, Pisa University http://dx.doi. org/10.12681/jhvms.16051
Reflection of paleoclimate oscillations and tectonic events in the phylogeography of moustache toads in southern China

Current genetic variation patterns across different geographic areas are mainly the result of various historical processes, including paleoclimate oscillations and tectonic events. Southern China, characterized by a complex paleoclimate and topography, presents an opportunity to examine such genetic variation patterns. Herein, we selected three species of moustache toads (Leptobrachium boringii, Leptobrachium liui and Leptobrachium leishanense) distributed across southern China to elucidate historical processes that shaped their current phylogeographic patterns based on two mitochondrial genes and eight microsatellite loci. L. boringii and L. liui are estimated to have genetically diverged from the late Miocene to the Pleistocene, which were largely associated with paleoclimate oscillations and geological barriers generated by complex mountain systems in southern China. Within L. liui, a recent split was caused by the rising of the Wuyi Mountains during the early Pleistocene. Demographic analyses revealed that complex topography might play buffering roles in Leptobrachium species during the last glacial maximum. These findings not only highlight the combined effects of climatic oscillations and tectonic events on driving genetic divergences, but also contribute to the general understanding of the phylogeography in this biodiversity hotspot.
Extracellular HBV RNAs are heterogeneous in length and circulate as virions and capsid-antibody-complexes in chronic hepatitis B patients

Extracellular HBV RNA has been detected in both HBV-replicating cell culture media and sera from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, but its exact origin and composition remain controversial. Here, we demonstrated that extracellular HBV RNA species were of heterogeneous lengths, ranging from the length of pregenomic RNA to a few hundred nucleotides. In cell models, these RNAs were predominantly associated with naked capsids although virions also harbored a minority of them. Moreover, HBV RNAs in hepatitis B patients’ blood circulation were localized in unenveloped capsids in the form of capsid-antibody-complexes (CACs) and in virions. Furthermore, we showed that extracellular HBV RNAs could serve as template for viral DNA synthesis. In conclusion, extracellular HBV RNAs mainly consist of pgRNA or the pgRNA species degraded by the RNase H domain of the polymerase in the process of viral DNA synthesis and circulate as CACs and virions. Their presence in the blood circulation of CHB patients may be exploited to develop novel biomarkers for HBV persistence.
Gene transfer vector development to treat lung disease: The use of a dual-function Lentiviral vector containing ENaC RNAi and the CFTR gene to treat Cystic Fibrosis lung disaease

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a degenerative disorder that is often associated with chronic lung disease. CF is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) chloride channel, which lead to defective chloride and sodium ion movement across epithelia. Subsequent dehydration of the airway surface liquid (ASL) on airway epithelia, is associated with poor mucociliary clearance and chronic lung infection. The monogenic nature of CF, along with the accessibility of the lung, makes the disease amenable to gene replacement therapy. Gene therapy clinical trials have focused on replacing the mutated CFTR with a functional copy, which has led to improved chloride transport, but has shown no significant effects on sodium transport. An alternative strategy for CF gene therapy therefore, could be to reduce the expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the lung, using RNA interference (RNAi), combined with CFTR delivery. Developing a dual-function gene transfer vector could potentially restore chloride and sodium levels in the ASL and help alleviate CF lung disease. The aim of this thesis was to develop a recombinant lentivirus delivery system capable of simultaneously delivering CFTR expression and knocking down ENaC expression in the airways. A modular HIV vector genome plasmid was developed to allow simple insertion of various promoter elements, transgenes and knockdown sequences, for subsequent virus production. Insertion of the CFTR transgene and a short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence targeting the ENaC alpha subunit (ENaCα) resulted in significant knockdown of human ENaCα and simultaneous expression of CFTR in A549 (human lung carcinoma) cell culture. Replacement of the ENaCα shRNA with an shRNA targeting the transcription factor BACH1 resulted in target gene knockdown and concomitant HMOX1 up-regulation, confirming specific knockdown effects, and demonstrating that the dual-function rLV vector could mediate target gene knockdown irrespective of the target. Attempts were made to knock down BACH1 in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells grown at the air-liquid interface (ALI), but improved transduction efficiencies from the apical surface will be required to generate successful knockdown in this experimental model. These studies provide proof-of-principle for the utility of this versatile dual-function prototype virus. The dual function vector not only has the potential for treatment of CF lung disease, but could be readily altered to target other lung diseases where combinations of prolonged target gene knockdown and gene expression/up-regulation could collectively provide an appropriate therapy. In conclusion, the focus on the rational design of gene transfer vectors for specific therapeutic effects will aid the development and translation of gene therapy approaches to human studies.
Initial development of lettuce in vermicompost at higher trichoderma doses

The study aimed to evaluate the initial development, as well as, the chemical characteristics of lettuce plants grown in substrate with high concentrations of bioagent (trichoderma). A completely randomized design with four replicates was used. The treatments, applied to a substrate composed of a blend of vermicompost and commercial substrate, were established by the following doses of the commercial product ICB Nutrissolo Trichoderma: T1) 0.0; T2) 1.0; T3) 2.0; T4) 4.0; T5) 8.0 and T6) 16.0x1011 conidia kg-1 of product. After inoculation, the substrate was placed in trays, where 50 lettuce seeds were sown on each replication. Plants were thinned after emergency stabilization, maintaining ten seedlings per tray. At 28 days after sowing, the characteristics percentage and emergence speed index, leaf area, fresh and dry leaf biomass, volume, length and surface area of the root were evaluated. We also determined the chemical characteristics of the leaves. The percentage of seed germination and the emergence speed index were lower at doses higher than 4.0x1011 conidia kg-1 of the biological product. All the studied doses influenced negatively in shoot and root development of the plants. The percentage of nutrients in the leaves was higher in treatments with ICB.
Effects of Zingiber officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-COA reductase level in the testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Roscoe, commonly known as ginger, is used as a cooking spice and therapeutically for its antioxidant and androgenic activities. We investigated the effects of Z. officinale hydro-alcoholic extract on HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase level in the testis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The current experimental study was performed on four groups of male Wistar rats one of them was kept as a healthy control, while the others were rendered diabetic via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kg-1). One group was considered as diabetic control; while the others were given orally hydro-alcoholic extract (200 and 400 mg kg-1) for 56 consecutive days. Body weight, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated using standard methods. The HMG-COA reductase level was determined by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with the extract resulted in a significant reduction of serum glucose concentration and HMG-COA reductase level in the rat’s testis compared to diabetic controls (P < 0.01). A significant increase in body weight was observed in treated diabetic rats. Also, serum insulin was significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract compared to diabetic controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ginger has a potential influence on the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis by modulating of HMG-COA reductase level. The results provide scientific evidence to confirm the traditional use of Z. officinale in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Vaginal Fibrosarcoma in an Algerian Crossbreed Cow

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: July 24, 2017 August 31, 2017 September 08, 2017 November 21, 2017 A case of vaginal fibrosarcoma in a 4-year-old pregnant (6th month) cow is described on the basis of clinical, macroscopic and microscopic findings. Tumor mass surgically excised from the vagina was nodular and firm, sized 40mm x 60mm. Histopathologically, neoplastic tissue originated from the mucosal connective tissue. Tumor cells showed highly proliferating pattern with cellular and nuclear pleomorphism (anisocytosis and anisokaryosis). In addition, some tissue parts were very well vascularized. Excision of the tumor mass was easy and successful; with neither hemorrhage nor postoperative infection. At the 5 post surgical month, no evidence of regrowth of any tumor tissue was found. This paper reports the first clinical investigation, surgical treatment and pathological description of a vaginal fibrosarcoma in Algeria. ©2017 PVJ. All rights reserved
A synthetic bacterial information transfer system functions in the mammalian gut

The gut microbiome is intricately involved with establishing and maintaining the health of the host. Engineering of gut microbes aims to add new functions and expand the scope of control over the gut microbiome. To create systems that can perform increasingly complex tasks in the gut with multiple engineered strains it is necessary to program communication among these bacteria in the gut. Towards this goal, we engineered an information transfer system for inter-cellular communication, using native gut Escherichia coli and attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Specifically, we have taken two genetic circuits-one for signaling from the quorum sensing system and the other for memory from the bacteriophage genetic switch–and integrated them into a robust system that can report on successful communication in the mammalian gut. Our system provides a basis for the construction of a programmable gut consortia as well as a basis for further understanding of bacterial interactions in an otherwise hard-to-study environment.
Small-mammal indicators of biochronology at Cueva Negra del Estrecho del Río Quípar (Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, SE Spain)

Abstract Abundant small-mammal teeth excavated at the Palaeolithic site of Cueva Negra del Estrecho del Río Quípar have morphological and metric characteristics that are shown to correspond to Iberomys huescarensis, Stenocranius gregaloides, Terricola arvalidens, Victoriamys chalinei, Mimomys savini, Pliomys episcopalis, Crictetulus (Allocricetus) bursae, Apodemus cf. sylvaticus, Eliomys quercinus, Sciurus sp. , Oryctolagus giberti, Lepus sp. , Prolagus calpensis, Crocidura kornfeldi, Neomys sp. , Sorex sp. , Erinaceus cf. europaeus). These taxa have been described in the late Early Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula. The biochronological analysis derived from the study of arvicolid remains in Cueva Negra is consistent with the reverse magnetic polarity of the entire sedimentary fill, indicating that they accumulated during the Matuyama magnetochron, between 0.99 and 0.78 Ma.
Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Inefficiencies: The Science, Evidences, and Solutions

Oxidative stress is a metabolic process causing imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants favouring abundance and overbearing effects of the prooxidants. When it occurs, there is disruption in redox signals, biochemical pathways, and control leading to impaired systemic functions. It is an implicated biological mechanism behind pathological development and diseases conditions including reproductive inefficiency, cardiovascular diseases, aging, alcohol-related diseases, adult respiratory distress, atherosclerosis, and inborn error of metabolism. In animal production poor reproductive performance currently, threaten livestock productivity. Several efforts toward overcoming this challenge (poor reproductive performance) have culminated to identification of oxidative stress as the culprit because animals’ productivity is impaired either directly or indirectly by oxidative stress. In this paper, we reviewed oxidative stress as a biochemical process affecting reproduction and also hypothesized that oxidative stress is a nexus between functional biochemical process and improved productivity. Therefore, the study concluded that the abatement of oxidative stress is possible by exploring natural sources of antioxidants for the promotion of productivity through optimized reproductive index.
Overcoming Challenges for Engineered Autologous T Cell Therapies

Axicabtagene ciloleucel is an engineered autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy being developed for patients with refractory aggressive B-cell lymphoma. The product is manufactured in a central facility from cellular starting material containing a patient’s own T cells into which a chimeric antigen receptor transgene is directly introduced. This cellular starting material is highly variable from donor to donor and provides the single largest source of variability associated with the production process. Nonetheless, a robust manufacturing and distribution process was developed based on process understanding and appropriate process controls. Process characterization revealed process parameters that affect quality attributes, allowing appropriate control measures to be implemented. Process comparability criteria were also established as another mechanism to ensure process consistency as new manufacturing sites were introduced. A relationship between cellular characteristics of the incoming cellular starting material, cell growth and performance during manufacturing, and the ultimate product characteristics after administration to patients is also beginning to come into focus.
Multifilament Gillnet and Trammel Net Selectivity for the Silver Crucian Carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782) in Eğirdir Lake, Isparta, Turkey

The aim of this study was determine the selectivity of gillnet and trammel net with different mesh sizes for C. gibelio in Eğirdir Lake. Gillnets with mesh sizes of 32, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 mm; and trammel nets with of 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 mm were tested for catching of C. gibelio. Fieldwork was carried out in two different station of Eğirdir Lake, in a monthly period from December 2009 to April 2010 and with a total of 10 catching trials. The SELECT method was used to determine the selectivity parameters. Number of 592 C. gibelio species were caught in the experiments which the lengths ranged between 7.3 34.8 cm. According to the Bi-modal model which gave the lowest deviation for multifilament gillnets, the optimum lengths were determined as 8.74, 10.92, 13.65, 16.38, 19.11, 21.84 and 24.57 cm for 32, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 mm mesh sizes respectively. According to the Normal scale model which gave the lowest deviation for trammel nets, optimum lengths were determined as 27.20, 29.92, 32.64, 35.36 and 38.08 cm for 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 mm mesh sizes in trammel net respectively.
Variation in morpho-physiological characters and yield components of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties

Twelve modern summer mungbean cultivars were evaluated to assess morpho-physiological characters, yield attributes and seed yield. Results revealed that high yielding cultivars, in general, showed superiority in morpho-physiological characters and seed yield/plant than the low yielding cultivars. However, in case of unit area basis, result revealed that seed yield/ha was greater in low yielding cultivars than the high yielding ones, yet they produced lower seed yield/plant compared to high yielding ones due to increase number of plants per unit area and these low yielding cultivars also matured 10 - 15 days earlier than high yielders. Among the cultivars, BINAmung-5 produced the highest seed yield/ha (1711 kg/ha) with lower HI (20.0%) and took longer days to maturity (69 days). On the other hand, BARImung-6 showed second highest seed yield (1697 kg/ha) with highest HI (32.6%) and matured earliest, took 60 days after sowing that might be fit the existing cropping pattern in Bangladesh.
Evaluation of hearing aids from the standpoint of the user

For many years, investigators have discussed the difficulty that individuals with hearing loss have understanding speech, especially in background noise [1]. Carhart and Tillman [2], based on their data and data from Groen [3], stated that “. by the time background talk reaches a level where it is just mildly disruptive to intelligibility for normal hearers it can become a serious masker for the sensorineural . “ (p. 279). Carhart and Tillman suggested that communication handicap should be quantified not only by measures of pure tone sensitivity and word recognition in quiet but also by word recognition in a background of competing speech. Much of this reasoning was based on two types of hearing loss that Carhart described in 1951: “a loss of acuity” and “a deficiency in the clarity with which speech is received”. Loss of acuity was displacement of the “articulation function” for the listener with hearing loss to the right of that for a listener with normal hearing. When a “deficiency in clarity” was involved, Carhart suggested that, regardless of the presentation level, the clarity of the speech signal could not be substantially changed.
Seed Yield and Water Productivity of Irrigated Winter Canola (Brassica napus L.) under Semiarid Climate and High Elevation

Canola is a cash crop produced for its highly-valued seed, and as a protein source for animal feed. While winter canola is produced mainly in the high plains, it is expanding to new environments, and is greatly incorporated into crop systems with advantages in terms of increasing crop yield and improving soil health. The objectives of this study were to evaluate eight winter canola genotypes for seed yield, and to determine their water productivity under semiarid climates and high elevations in the Four Corners region at Farmington, New Mexico. A field experiment was conducted at the New Mexico State Agricultural Science Center at Farmington for five growing seasons. Eight genotypes of winter canola (Baldur, Flash, Safran, Sitro, Virginia, Visby, Wichita, and Sumner) were arranged into the randomized complete block design. The field was fully irrigated with a center pivot irrigation system. Results showed that winter canola seed yield was dependent on genotype, varying from 2393 to 5717 kg/ha. The highest yield was achieved by Sitro, and the lowest yield by Sumner. There was inter-annual variation in canola nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE), and crop water-use efficiency (CWUE). NUE varied from 12.9 to 50.4 kg seed/kg N, with the highest NUE achieved by Sitro, and the lowest by Sumner. IWUE varied from 0.34 to 0.80 kg/m3, and canola CWUE from 0.28 to 0.69 kg/m3. The highest water productivity was achieved by Sitro. The results of this study showed full assessment of canola production under the semiarid climate in the Four Corners region, and could improve crop productivity and profitability.
C. elegans germ cells divide and differentiate along a folded epithelium

Knowing how stem cells and their progeny are positioned within their tissues is essential for understanding their regulation. One paradigm for stem cell regulation is the C. elegans germline, which is maintained by a pool of germline stem cells in the distal gonad, in a region known as the ‘progenitor zone’. The C. elegans germline is widely used as a stem cell model, but the cellular architecture of the progenitor zone has been unclear. Here we characterize this architecture by creating virtual 3D models of the progenitor zone in both sexes. We show that the progenitor zone in adult hermaphrodites is essentially a folded epithelium. The progenitor zone in males is not folded. Analysis of germ cell division shows that daughter cells are born side-by-side along the surface of the epithelium. Analysis of a key regulator driving differentiation, GLD-1, shows that germ cells in hermaphrodites differentiate along the path of the folded epithelium, with previously described “steps” in GLD-1 expression corresponding to germline folds. Our study provides a three-dimensional view of how C. elegans germ cells progress from stem cell to overt differentiation, with critical implications for regulators driving this transition.