Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of bumblebees and honeybees for delivering inoculum of Gliocladium roseum to raspberry flowers to control Botrytis cinerea

The effectiveness of bees in vectoring inoculum of the biocontrol agentGliocladium roseumto raspberry flowers was investigated in shade-cloth-enclosed field plots of raspberry cv. Boyne and cv. Redwing. For bee-vectoring treatments, a colony box of bumblebees with about 50 workers, or a hive of honeybees with about 3000 workers, was placed in each replicate plot enclosure. Each colony box and hive was equipped with an inoculum dispenser to contaminate bees with a powder preparation ofG. roseum(4.0–18.0 × 108CFU/g). Bumblebees carried inoculum loads of 0.3–128 (x = 39.7) × 104CFU/bee and honeybees carried 1.3–81 (x = 29.9) × 104CFU/bee when they emerged from dispensers. Similar amounts of inoculum were delivered to raspberry flowers by bumblebees (mean daily density of 451–2461 CFU/flower) and honey bees (693–1659 CFU/flower). Bees maintained inoculum densities of ≥ 102–103CFU/flower during 6- to 15-day study periods except when weather discouraged foraging. Inoculum density on flowers in plots that were sprayed withG. roseum(107CFU/ml) decreased from about 102–105to < 10 CFU/flower within 2 days. Inoculum density on individual flowers varied (from 0–20,666, 0–4000, and 0–44,166 CFU/flower, respectively) in plots treated with bumblebees, honeybees, or sprays. Incidence of flowers with no inoculum was high in sprayed plots (55–57%) compared to plots treated by bumblebees (6–9%) or honeybees (14–15%). G. roseumgenerally suppressedB. cinereain stamens and stigmas more effectively when applied by bees than as a spray. All treatments moderately suppressed fruit rot in cv. Boyne but not in cv. Redwing. A combination of bee-vectoredG. roseumto protect flowers and a spray against direct infection of fruits is proposed to optimize fruit rot control.
Molecular Characterization and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using SSR Markers

Assessment of genetic diversity and molecular characterization among elite rice varieties of Bangladesh is very important for germplasm management, varietal identification, and DNA fingerprinting. Thirty-four microsatellite markers were studied across 21 types of rice to characterize and discriminate among different varieties. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11, with an average of 4.18 alleles across 34 loci. A total of 57 rare alleles were detected at 24 loci, whereas 42 unique alleles were detected at 20 loci. The results revealed that 14 rice varieties produced unique alleles that could be used for identification, molecular characterization, and DNA fingerprinting of these varieties. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.157 to 0.838, with an average of 0.488, which revealed that much variation was present among the studied varieties. The PIC values revealed that RM401 might be the best marker for identification and diversity estimation of rice varieties, followed by RM566, RM3428, RM463, and RM8094 markers. The UPGMA cluster dendrogram created in this study identified five clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.50. The SSR polymorphism and diversity could likely be attributed to pedigree. In this study, eight SSR markers (RM10713, RM279, RM424, RM6266, RM1155, RM289, RM20224, and RM5371) were identified that produced specific alleles only in the aromatic rice varieties and were useful for varietal identification and DNA fingerprinting of these varieties. The findings of this study should be useful for varietal identification and could help in background selection in backcross breeding programs.
Increasing Student Engagement with Practical Classes Through Online Pre-Lab Quizzes

Laboratory practicals classes are an essential component of all science degrees, but are a pinch point because of rising student numbers, rising student expectations and falling student exposure to laboratory work prior to entering higher education. Augmentation of physical laboratory work with online interventions is not new, but as virtual laboratories become increasingly sophisticated, cutting-edge approaches have become less available to many institutions as they are unable to meet the investment or specialist skills needed to build or maintain these complex tools. This case study examines the possibilities for increasing student engagement with practical work using the simplest tools available in any standard virtual learning environment and available to all. Based on results obtained from a large student cohort, the results indicate that this low-cost, low-tech approach can achieve high levels of student satisfaction.
Role of insects in the transmission of banana bacterial wilt

The banana bacterial wilt caused by the Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) is one of the major constraints to banana production in Uganda. Field observations suggest that the primary means of disease spread is by insect transmission through the male flowers. This study carried out an inventory of insects found on banana inflorescence, investigated possible sources of inoculum in banana plants and determined insect species that carried the bacterium on their bodies and thus possible vectors of the disease. The most abundant insects visiting banana flowers are stingless bee. Plebeina denoiti (Vachal) (Apidac), fruit flies (Drosophilidae) and grass flies (Chloropidae). Female flowers had twice as many insects as male flowers. The bacterial cells have been isolated from the stingless bee (P. denoiti), honey bees ( Apis melifera ), fruit flies and grass flies that had been collected from male flowers of both asymptomatic and symptomatic plants. The bacterial cells isolated from P. denoiti were more than two times as many as other insect groups. Further studies to confirm the most of transmission by insects, and to investigate transmission epidemiology and biology of banana Xanthomonas wilt have been initiated.
The Localization of the Functional Glucocorticoid Receptor α in Human Bone

Glucocorticoids have well-documented effects on the skeleton, although their mechanism of action is still poorly understood. The actions of glucocorticoids on bone cells are mediated, in part, directly via specific receptors. The presence of these receptors has been demonstrated in both rodent and human osteoblastic cells in vitro, but their presence in human bone in vivo has not been reported. In this study, we have used specific affinity purified polyclonal antibodies to the functional glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) to investigate its expression in both developing and adult human bone using sections of neonatal rib, calvarial, and vertebral bones, tibial growth plates from adolescents, and iliac crest biopsies from adults who were to undergo liver transplantation. In the tibial growth plates, GRα was predominantly expressed in the hypertrophic chondrocytes within the cartilage. In the primary spongiosa, the receptor was highly expressed by osteoblasts at sites of bone modeling. Within the bone marrow, .
On the Specification of Propensity Scores, With Applications to the Analysis of Trade Policies

The use of propensity score methods for program evaluation with nonexperimental data typically requires that the propensity score be estimated, often with a model whose specification is unknown. Although theoretical results suggest that estimators using more flexible propensity score specifications perform better, this has not filtered into applied research. Here we provide Monte Carlo evidence indicating benefits of overspecifying the propensity score that are robust across a number of different covariate structures and estimators. We illustrate these results with two applications, one assessing the environmental effects of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization membership and the other assessing the impact of adopting the euro on bilateral trade.
Book Reviews

This section will review those books whose content and level reflect the general editorial policy of Technometrics. Publishers should send books for review to Ejaz Ahmed, Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 (dean.fms@brocku.ca). The opinions expressed in this section are those of the reviewers. These opinions do not represent positions of the reviewer’s organization andmay not reflect those of the editors or the sponsoring societies. Listed prices reflect information provided by the publisher and may not be current. The book purchase programs of the American Society for Quality can provide some of these books at reduced prices for members. For information, contact the American Society for Quality at 1-800-248-1946.
Uranium in plant species grown on natural barren soil

Abstract Uranium (U) and other radionuclides can become toxic to plants, animals, and humans if accumulated in sufficient quantities. Uptake and accumulation of U has been studied in plants native to uranium mine sites, but not in cultivated plants which are commonly consumed by humans. This study was conducted to better understand uptake and accumulation of U in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), maize (Zea mays), onion (Allium cepa), potato (Solanum tuberosum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown on a deposit of the Kalna‐Gabrovnica uranium mine located in Serbia during 1992 and 1993. Tissue samples were collected from all plants during vegetative growth and for maize and sunflower at maturity. The results showed variations in plant uptake and accumulation of U dependent on species; vegetables had higher U concentration than maize and sunflower. Above‐ground portions of plants accumulated more U than storage organs or seed/g.
Characterisation and identification of carbofuran-utilising bacteria isolated from agricultural soil

A total of 96 bacterial cultures were isolated from soil. Seventeen bacterial isolates were selected following their cultivation on solid media containing 100 mg · L−1 carbofuran as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Of the 17 isolates, 10F, 11M, 17N, 23B and 26M were specifically chosen because of their relatively higher growth efficiency and genetic diversity based on Box-polymerase chain reaction analysis. These bacterial cultures had 16S rRNA gene sequences that were most similar to Acinetobacter baumannii (10F), Agrobacterium tumefaciens (11M), Ochrobactrum anthropi (17N), Escherichia coli (23B) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens (26M) with 97, 95, 93, 95 and 94% similarity in their 16S rDNA gene sequence, respectively. Degradation rates of carbofuran in soil inoculated with these isolates were 1.9, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 and 1.6 times, respectively, faster in comparison with uninoculated soil after 10 days of incubation. The maximum degradation rates of carbofuran (45 and 91%) were detected in soil inoculated with A. baumannii (10F) after 10 and 20 days’ incubation, respectively. These data indicate that these isolates may have the potential for use in bioremediation of pesticide contaminated soil.
Spatial Variation in Red Sea Urchin Reproduction and Morphology: Implications for Harvest Refugia

Red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus), residing in shallow hab- itats in Bodega Bay, California are morphologically distinct and possibly enhance recruit- ment by spawning larvae and sheltering juveniles. This suggests shallow beds of urchins would be ideal candidates for harvest refugia promoting the production of larvae to replenish deeper harvested habitats. Red urchins from shallow beds (5 m) had significantly heavier gonads (63 + 30 g, N = 45, mean ? 1 SD) compared with urchins from intermediate (14 m) and deep (23 m) habitats (12 + 8 g, N = 39, mean + 1 SD). Gonad indices from spring, summer, and fall of 1991 and 1992 show this pattern persisted. Shallow water urchins co- occurred at high densities (4.6 individuals/M2), with seasonally abundant drift algae and wave surge. Recruitment of juvenile urchins was examined in nine -iM2 quadrats randomly. placed in three shallow sites with red urchins and three intermediate depth sites with red urchins in the Bodega Marine Reserve. Juvenile urchin (Strongylocentrotus spp.) recruit- ment (5-50 mm) was highest in association with adults in shallow habitats over a 4-yr period (October 1988-October 1992). Adult red urchins in shallow habitats resided in rock "bowls" where they were 12 times more likely to shelter juveniles than more mobile adults
Sexual dimorphism in morphometric characteristics of cocktail wrasse

A closely associated set of characteristics was identified in adult cocktail wrasse Pteragogus aurigarius, collected in a coastal area on Cheju Island, Korea in 1993, which showed sexually dimorphic growth. Growth was positively allometric in males. Male cocktail wrasse possess larger first and second spinal rays in the dorsal fin than females resulting in pronounced sexual dimorphism. Such sexual dimorphism may reflect the outcome of sexual selection in this species.
In VitroBinding and Signaling Profile of the Novel μ Opioid Receptor Agonist Endomorphin 2 in Rat Brain Membranes

Abstract The recently discovered endogenous μ receptor selective endomorphin 2 was prepared in tritiated form by a catalytic dehalogenation method resulting in a specific radioactivity of 1.98 TBq/mmol (53.4 Ci/mmol), and used forin vitrolabelling of rat brain membranes. The binding was saturable, stereospecific and of high affinity (Kd: 0.97 and 1.12 nM based on kinetic and equilibrium binding studies, respectively). The maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was found to be 114.8 fmol/mg protein. [3H]Endomorphin 2 was displaced by μ-receptor selective specific peptides and heterocyclic compounds with high affinity, whereas κ and δ receptor specific ligands were much less potent. The Kivalues of endomorphin 1 and 2 in inhibiting [3H]naloxone binding increased by 15-fold in the presence of 100 mM NaCl which indicates the agonist property of these peptides. Endomorphins stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding and inhibited adenylyl cyclase activity which also provides evidence for the agonist character of endomorphins.
Investigation of Genetic Diversity among Medicago species Using RAPD Markers.

Aims: Medicago is known as the Queen of forage with potential economic importance to our society. The present study aimed at the use of RAPD-PCR DNA marker to identify the genetic fingerprints affinities of six species of Alfalfa. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Genetics, Garden Campus, Hazara University, Mansehra Pakistan during February, 2011 to August, 2013. Methodology: In this study, six species of Medicago namely TWAL (Tetraploid Wisconsin Alfalfa Line), Medicago arborea, Medicago falcata, Medicago sativa, Medicago lupulina and Medicago polymorpha were used to explore the diversity of alfalfa. Seven out of 120 decamers produced 34 polymorphic loci with 100% polymorphism to identify the different species of Medicago crop. The Original Research Article Murtaza et al.; BBJ, 6(2):79-86, 2015; Article no.BBJ. 2015.029 80 range of polymorphic loci was observed from 300 to 700 bp. Eleven species specific loci were generated by seven decamers. Primer B-18 generated single specific locus 700 bp against genomic DNA of M. lupulina and it is important to identify particular species of Alfalfa. The bivariate data were recorded as the presence of locus 1 and absence 0 and then this data was transferred into A and C respectively to make it suitable for DNAMAN software (version 5.2.2.0; Applied Biostatistics Inc). Moreover, cluster analysis was performed using sequence alignment and divergence function of the DNAMAN against the bivariate data collected from the products of decamers. All members clustered in a unique pattern except M. falcata and M. lupulina those shared 86% homology. Three distinct groups were observed during UPGMA (Unweighted pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean). During the phylogenetic study, TWAL was observed to have genetic diversity from other five species of Alfalfa. Conclusion: So, the present study is enabling us to discriminate different species of Alfalfa and it could be useful to identify and authenticate different species of the same genus of medicinal important plant from the Flora of Pakistan.
Sorbitol metabolism in nectaries from flowers of Rosaceae

Although sorbitol is the major soluble carbohydrate in plants of the woody Rosaceae, the floral nectars contained virtually no sorbitol. Glucose and fructose occurred in approximately equal proportions, with sucrose making up the balance. Nectar secretion was studied using excised flowers. Extensive conversion of sorbitol to other sugars occurred within the flower, at least partly within the nectary itself. Cutting the nectary tissue into slices greatly reduced its ability to transform sorbitol to other sugars. It is suggested that during nectar secretion sorbitol conversion occurs mainly during phloem unloading. Changes in sugar composition of nectars were studied. There was no evidence that sucrose was secreted then subsequently hydrolysed by invertase or by a microbial flora. There was bidirectional movement of sugars: radioactive sucrose and other sugars added to the nectar entered the nectary tissue, were metabolized there to other sugars, and were secreted again to the nectar. Composition of the nectar was therefore a product of both secretion and uptake processes.
In vitro efficacy of some fungicides on mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis

Various chemical fungicides, systemic and non-systemic, were tested against fruit rot pathogens viz. Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis for the evaluation of inhibition of mycelial growth. In A. alternata, among the systemic fungicides used, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by carbendazim and least effective was myclobutanil. While in M. pyriformis, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition and least effective was bitertanol. Among the non-systemic fungicides tested in both A. alternata and M. pyriformis, mancozeb showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by capton and the least inhibition was shown by zineb.
The Lipoprotein Lipase HindIII Polymorphism And The Susceptibility To Hypertension

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme plays a central role in lipid metabolism. The primary function of LPL enzyme is the hydrolysis of the core triglycerides of circulating chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). It releases monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which are taken up by skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. The present work aimed to study the association of the common variant of LPL HindIII (H+) and hypertension. HindIII (+) variant allele of LPL were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in 150 hypertensive patients and 150 normotensive as a control group. Serum lipoproteins were also observed in both groups. Allele frequencies were H+ = 0.733 and H- = 0.267 for LPL HindIII in the hypertension group compared to H+ = 0.683 and H- = 0.317 in the control group. Individuals with homozygous (H+/+) genotype were at higher risk of developing hypertension compared to the (H-/-) genotype (Odds Ratio OR= 2.13, 95% Confidence Interval CI= 0.937-4.8). Serum TG level were also higher in the individuals with (H+/+) genotype compared to the (H-/-) genotype, while HDL showed negative correlation with the presence of (H+/+) genotype. It can be concluded that the LPL HindIII (H+) variant of LPL may influence the blood lipid metabolism and increase risk for hypertension. Key words: hypertension; HDL; LPL HindIII polymorphism; triglycerides.
Microbiological and Nutritional Assessment of Starter-Developed Fermented Tigernut Milk

Fermented tigernut milk (FTM) was prepared from three different varieties (fresh yellow, big and small dry brown) of tigernut (Cyperus esculenta) obtained from Bodija market, Ibadan, Oyo state. Fifty two microbial isolates were obtained from FTM at different fermentation times, 32 of which were on MRS agar, 12 on nutrient agar and 8 on malt extract agar. Lactic acid bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactococcus lactis (LC), Lactobacillus brevis, Lactococcus cremoris, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactococcus thermophilus (LT). The non-LAB identified includes E. coli, Bacillus species and Proteus species while the yeasts include Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida kefyr. Lactic acid bacteria were found to predominate the total microflora of the FTM with their count ranging between 2.0 × 104 cfu/ml to 2.0 × 108 cfu/ml. Microbiological examination revealed that the FTM was safe for consumption as non-LAB counts were below the limit of acceptance which is 2.0 × 105 cfu/ml for dairy milk by Codex Alimentarius Commission. The quantity of lactic acid produced by the LAB isolates ranged between 0.86 g/l - 2.86 g/l while that of hydrogen peroxide ranged between 0.16 g/l - 0.51 g/l. Starter cultures were selected based on predominance of isolate, physiological characteristics, quantity of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide production. The tiger nut varieties were fermented with the following starter combinations LP, LP/LC, LP/LC/LT, LP/LT while the fifth was spontaneously fermented. The nutritional, chemical and sensory properties of the starter fermented tiger nut milk were evaluated. The highest protein content (24.80%) was obtained in FTM with mixed cultures of LP/LC/LT while the least (3.00%) was obtained in spontaneously fermented milk. There was a significant difference in the FTM varieties. The highest fat content (9.40%) was obtained in spontaneously fermented tiger nut milk while the least (3.40%) was found in FTM with mixed cultures of LP/LC/LT. Fermentation decreased the pH and increased the lactic acid of the starter developed FTM, while sensory evaluation test showed that the FTM with mixed cultures of LP/LC/LT was highly acceptable. In conclusion, an excellent and acceptable FTM can be produced using treatments which comprise of pasteurization at 90° for 15 minutes, fermentation at 45℃ for 18 hours using mixed cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus thermophilus.
Polyethylene glycol improves the in vitro growth of Brassica pollen tubes without loss in germination

The culture media for the in vitro pollen assay of Brassica species have so far shown good percentage germination, but limited pollen tube growth. It is reported here that by lowering sucrose concentration from 20% to 5 or 10 % and by adding polyethylene glycol 4000 in the culture medium, high percentage germination and high tube growth (10 times that in the standard media) can be achieved in three species of cultivated Brassica. This improved medium should be useful in fundamental and applied studies on the pollen biology of Brassica species.