Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining ability in tetraploid wheat for yield, yield attributing traits, quality and rust resistance over environments

Combining ability for grain yield per plant and its components, quality traits and rust resistance was studied using five lines and seven testers and 35 crosses produced in line x tester mating system in durum and emmer wheat. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that variances due to females, males and female x male were significant for days to fifty per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, peduncle length, spike length, number of spikes/m2, number of tillers/plant, number of seeds/spike, total biomass/plant, thousand grain weight, grain yield/plant, harvest index, leaf rust reaction, protein content and semolina recovery. The general and specific combining ability variance ratio revealed the preponderance of additive gene action for all the traits except number of seeds/spike. Significant gca effects for grain yield and its component traits were exhibited by the lines Vijay and DK-1001 and testers DWR-1006 and Raj-1555. Fourteen crosses recorded significant sca effects for grain yield and related traits. The cross NIDW-15 X RAJ-1555 exhibited significant sca effects in the desired direction for leaf rust and protein content.
INFLUENCE OF VEGETATION, TOPOGRAPHY, AND ROADS ON COUGAR MOVEMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Abstract Models of individual movement can help conserve wide-ranging carnivores on increasingly human-altered landscapes, and cannot be constructed solely by analyzing the daytime resting locations typically collected in carnivore studies. We examined the movements of 10 female and 7 male cougars (Puma concolor) at 15-min intervals during 44 nocturnal or diel periods of hunting or traveling in the Santa Ana Mountain Range of southern California, USA, between 1988 and 1992. Cougars tended to move in a meandering path (mean turning angle ∼54°), and distance moved (mean and mode ∼300 m) was not correlated with turning angle. Cougars used a broader range of habitats for nocturnal or diel movements than for previously described daybed locations for this same population. Riparian vegetation ranked highest in a compositional analysis of vegetation types selected during movement; grassland, woodland and urbanized sites were least selected. During periods of stasis (we presume many of these were stalking locations), patterns of selection were less marked. Cougars spent a disproportionate amount of time in highly ranked vegetation types, and traveled slowest through riparian habitats and fastest through human-dominated areas. Our results suggest that travel speed may provide an efficient index of habitat selection in concert with other types of analysis. Hunting or traveling individuals consistently used travel paths that were less rugged than their general surroundings. Traveling cougars avoided 2-lane paved roads, but dirt roads may have facilitated movement. Maintenance and restoration of corridors between large wildlands is essential to conserving cougars in southern California. Our results indicate that riparian vegetation, and other vegetation types that provide horizontal cover, are desirable features in such corridors, that dirt roads should not impede cougar use of corridors, and that corridors should lie along routes with relatively gentle topography. Our results suggest that cougars do not key in on highway-crossing structures in a way that creates a prey trap. Our empirical frequency distributions of distances and turning angles, along with cougar responses to vegetation, topography, and roads can help parameterize an individually-based movement model for cougars in human-altered landscapes.
A comparative study of photic injury in four inbred strains of albino rats

The effects of light damage were studied in four inbred strains of albino rats, Fischer (F344), Lewis (L), Wistar (W), and Buffalo (BUF). Thirty-five-day-old rats (3 from each strain) were kept in cyclic light for two weeks, after which they were exposed to constant fluorescent light (180-190 foot-candles, 490-58Onm) for 24 hours. The rats were sacrificed 6 days after exposure. Photic injury to the exposed eyes was evaluated morphometrically by measuring the mean outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and qualitatively by light microscopy. Statistical analysis of the quantitative data revealed that the Lewis and Buffalo strains were more severely affected than the Wistar and Fischer strains. The effects of injury were more severe in the superior and temporal quadrants. Taking both quantitative and qualitative assessment into consideration, it appeared that, among the strains studied, the rats from the Lewis strain were most sensitive to photic damage. These findings support previous findings of differential light sensitivity and further suggest that similar variability occurs among inbred strains with type 1 light damage.
Systematic Review of Japanese Macaques, Macaca fuscata (Gray, 1870)

Abstract Japanese macaques, Macaca fuscata (Gray, 1870), are systematically reviewed, based on examination of 1264 specimens, survey of relevant literature, and observation of natural populations. This review includes analyses of external and cranial characters, molecular biology and genetics, and parasites. Information also is presented concerning natural history, reproduction, fossils, and taxonomic history. Concerning the evolutionary history of M. fuscata, available evidence suggests that this species is derived from a M. mulatta–like population that dispersed to the Japanese archipelago during one or two glacial intervals of sea-level depression, ca. 0.63–0.43 million years ago (Ma), via a now-submerged dry-land connection between the Korean Peninsula and the Kyushu–West Honshu area. In an appendix, an annotated gazetteer lists 1347 localities at which M. fuscata has been collected or observed.
Quantification of Root-Shoot Development and Water Use Efficiency in Autumn Maize (Zea mays L) Under Different Irrigation Strategies

A field study was conducted to evaluate the productivity of autumn-sown maize hybrids (Monsanto-919 and Pioneer-30Y87) under variable irrigation regimes. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement with the following treatments; I 1 = control, I 2 = 4 irrigations (6 th 10 th 14 th 18 th leaf stages), I 3 = 6 irrigations (6 th , 10 th ,14 th , 18 th leaf stages, silking and blister stages), I 4 = 8 irrigations (6 th , 10 th ,14 th , 18 th leaf stages, silking, blister, milking and dough stages), I 5 = 10 irrigations (6 th , 10 th ,14 th , 18 th leaf stages, silking, blister, milking, dough, denting and physiological maturity). The hybrids differ significantly for primary root numbers, root length, roots dry weight, water use efficiency for total dry matters (WUE TDM ), while water use efficiency for grain yield (WUE GY ) were found non-significant in both hybrids. Irrigation level I 2 produced significantly higher primary root numbers (20.83 roots per plant) which were statistically at par with irrigation level I 1 (20.66), whereas, Irrigation level I 1 produced significantly more root length (548.67cm) than the irrigation treatments I 2 (476.17) and I 3 (434.33). Similarly, Irrigation level I 1 attained maximum root dry weight plant -1 (0.71mg) than I 2 (0.67mg) and I 3 (0.59mg). Among irrigation treatments, more water use efficiency for total dry matters was obtained in treatments I 3 , I 4 , I 5 . The range of water use efficiency for total dry matters for these treatments was 6.18 to 6.42. Highly-significant values were found in water use efficiency for grain yield. Treatments I 3 , I 4 and I 5 were good at producing more grain yield per unit water transpired.
FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF BLACK SEA ULVA RIGIDA AND CYSTOSEIRA CRINITA

IVANOVA, V. , M. STANCHEVA and D. PETROVA, 2013. Fatty acid composition of Black Sea Ulva rigida and Cystoseira crinita. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Supplement 1: 42–47 Green alga Ulva rigida and brown alga Cystoseira crinita are widespread in the Black Sea. There is limited information about lipid content and fatty acid composition of these species from Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The aim of this study was to determine and compare total lipid and fatty acid (FA) composition of Ulva rigida and Cystoseira crinita. Lipids were extracted by following the method of Bligh and Dyer. Fatty acid composition was analyzed by Gas Chromatography with MS detector. Total lipid content ranged between 0.72 and 0.79 g.100g –1 fresh weight. Generally, saturated fatty acids were major components (65–70%), with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the most abundant saturate (56–63%). Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) ranged from 29% to 35%. The green alga showed higher C18 PUFAs contents than did C20 PUFAs. Cystoseira crinita belonging to the group of brown algae showed similar amounts of C18 and C20 PUFAs contents. The green alga was rich in linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6) while the brown alga was rich in both linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6) and eicosopentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3). PUFA/SFA ratio in both species was approximately 0.35. All of the studied species had a nutritionally benefi cial n6/n3 ratio (1.01–2.43:1).
Marketing-Mix Response Across Retail Formats: The Role of Shopping Trip Types

The authors study differences in the effects of prices, nonprice promotions, and brand line length on brand shares at different retail formats. Their conceptual framework rests on the presence of trip-level fixed and category-level variable utility components and shows how the trade-off between these components results in (1) different formats visited on different types of shopping trips and (2) differential marginal sensitivities of brand shares to changes in marketing-mix variables across trip types. Together, these provide predictions on how marketing-mix variables differentially affect brand shares at various retail formats. The authors use Nielsen Homescan and store-level data from 2011–2014 and analyze the top ten spending product categories across four retail formats—convenience stores, drugstores, supermarkets, and mass merchandisers—in over 200 Nielsen markets. Implications for brand manufacturers managing the marketing mix across different formats are offered. JEL codes: M310, L11, D4
Mating Success in Low-Density Gypsy Moth Populations

Field studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of mating disruption on the mating success of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L), in low-density populations. The gypsy moth is an insect pest of hardwood forests in many regions of the world. The discovery of the sex pheromone disparlure (cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane) produced by females marked the start of a new era in the control and management of gypsy moth populations. Sex pheromones, like disparlure, have been used for detecting new populations, monitoring the spread of populations and for population control based on the disruption of mating communication. Although mating disruption has been used against populations of insect pests in agricultural and forest systems, considerable information about the use of this method for managing gypsy moths is still lacking. Studies, therefore, were designed and carried out specifically to improve current understanding of the mechanism of mating success, to evaluate existing techniques for mating disruption, and to develop methods that would improve the application of pheromone used for mating disruption so as to reduce the costs associated with the use of this management tactic. The first study was conducted to compare the mating success and mortality of gypsy moth females in low-density populations in Virginia and Wisconsin because of differences, which have been observed in the population dynamics and the impact of management strategies between these two states. The results suggested that the higher rate of population spread in Wisconsin might be due to the increased mating success of females compared with Virginia, which may be due in part to increased long-distance dispersal of males and increased longevity of females. The effect of artificial pheromone applied at various doses and formulations on mating success in low-density gypsy moth populations also was studied. Dose-response relationships were obtained for pheromone doses ranging from 0.15 to 75 g a.i./ha. The doses of 37.5 and 15 g a.i./ha of pheromone were shown to effectively disrupt mating and, therefore, have been recommended for operational use. The results also showed that the disruption of mating and
Intra‐ and interspecific interactions between Nephus includens and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

The introduced coccinellid Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is extensively used by biological control practitioners against mealybugs. Potential risks on native guilds of natural enemies have recently been recognized, as C. montrouzieri has managed to establish in many of the regions, it has been released. We investigated in the laboratory the direct trophic interactions between Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Nephus includens, a predatory coccinellid native to the Mediterranean region. For both adult coccinellid species, predation rates on conspecific or heterospecific juvenile stages, with different amounts of shared prey, were recorded after 24 h. Both predators consumed eggs and larvae, but only C. montrouzieri preyed upon pupae. In general, cannibalism decreased with shared prey abundance, regardless of species. A high level of asymmetry was found on intraguild predation, in favour of C. montrouzieri. The probability of displacement threat of N. includens by C. montrouzieri in nature, in addition to possible effects of the studied trophic interactions on the outcome of biological control, is discussed.
High Expression of a Specific T-Cell Receptor γ Transcript in Epithelial Cells of the Prostate

We have identified expression of T-cell receptor γ chain (TCRγ) mRNA in human prostate and have shown that it originates from epithelial cells of the prostate and not from infiltrating T-lymphocytes. In contrast, the T-cell receptor δ chain (TCRδ) gene is silent in human prostate. The major TCRγ transcript in prostate has a different size than the transcript expressed in thymus, spleen, and blood leukocytes. It is expressed in normal prostate epithelium, adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and the prostatic adenocarcinoma cell line LNCaP. The RNA originates from an unrearranged TCRγ locus, and it is initiated within the intronic sequence directly upstream of the Jγ1. 2 gene segment. The prostate-specific TCRγ transcript consists of the Jγ1. 2 and Cγ1 gene segments, and it has an untranslated sequence including a polyadenylation signal and poly(A) sequence at the 3′end. The finding that prostate epithelial cells express a high level of a transcript from a gene that was thought to by exclusively expressed by T-lymphocytes is highly unexpected.
BIVALVE CONTRIBUTION TO SHALLOW SANDY BOTTOM FOOD WEB OFF MAR DEL PLATA (ARGENTINA): INFERENCE FROM STOMACH CONTENTS AND STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS

Abstract Two infaunal species, the purple clam Amiantis purpurata and the razor clam Solen tehuelchus, are common species in the 15–20 m sandy bottom sediments between southern Brazil and central Argentina. Both species are food sources for the coastal food web, but the extent of their contribution to this food web is still unknown. Based on stomach content analysis and δ15N and δ15C stable isotope signatures we explored the position of these clams in the food web. Stomach content shows that the ray Sympterigia bonapartei and the white croaker Micropogonias furnieri prey on entire A. purpurata and S. tehuelchus. The stable isotopic analysis confirms this result. The elephant fish Callorynchus callorynchus and the Brazilian codling Urophycis brasiliensis also show values of C and N consistent with those expected from species that are preying on A. purpurata. Based on the prediction from the isotopic analysis the clam A. purpurata is a food source for the shrimps Artemesia longinaris, Pleoticus muelleri, the anemone Antholoba achates and the gastropod Buccinanops monilifer. The gastropods Adelomelon brasiliana, Olivancillaria deshayesiana, Olivancillaria urceus and Zidona dufresnei also show evidence of consuming A. purpurata but with contribution from other species with heavier C content. According to complementary results the razor clam Solen tehuelchus may be this other species. The stable isotopic analysis shows that both clam species are at the base of the consumers in the food web. A. pupurata showed lighter C mark than S. tehuelchus, but the N isotopic mark showed higher value but still being within the same trophic level.
Selection for multiple mating in females due to mates that reduce female fitness

If females are unable to discriminate among males before mating, remating by females that store sperm may have evolved as a hedge against having only "costly" mates (less preferred males that reduce her fitness). However, the benefit of remating is not guaranteed because she can also mate by chance with another costly male. We devised a model to explain the evolution of female remating by representing female fitness as a function of the proportion of costly mates. We examined the effect of a linear, a concave-up, and a concave-down fitness function and found that only the latter favors the evolution of female remating. With a concave-down function, females mating with 50% costly mates have nearly the same fitness as do females with none. A biological interpretation for a concave-down function is that sperm from good males are better at competing with sperm from costly males or are more preferred by females. A concave-up function implies the reverse, whereas a linear function will occur when sperm are equally competitive. We review specific situations in nature that might produce a concave-down function and find evidence that sterility and intragenomic conflict are two phenomena capable of driving the evolution of female remating by our model. Copyright 2003.
The production of virus‐free clones of some British potato varieties

SUMMARY Virus-free clones of some British potato varieties, of which all commercial stocks are infected, were obtained by culturing apical meristems of sprouts on tubers. The variety Golden Wonder was freed from potato virus A, Arran Comet from potato virus X, and Epicure, Orion and Sharpe's Express from potato virus S. Of the 196 meristems cultured, forty-one (21%) grew and of these twenty developed into plants, of which nineteen were virus-free. More of the excised meristems grew when the first leaf primordium was included than when not, and its inclusion seemed not to increase the chances of the progeny being infected.
ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SELECTED SMALL INDIGENOUS SPECIES OF FISH

The antioxidant level and nutrients in sixteen small indigenous fish species (SIS) of Bangladesh; eight marine and eight freshwater were measured by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and 2, 2-Diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazil, 95% (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. The IC 50 determined by DPPH varied from 327.04±0.06 µg/ml to 1888.21±0.10 µg/ml of wet weight. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in Heteropneustes fossilis followed by Mystus gulio, Hemirhamphus gaimardi, Mystus vittatus, Megalaspis cordyla, Silonia silondia, Colisa fasciatus, Amblypharyngodon mola, Oxygaster phulo, Gobioides anguillaris, Chela laubuca, Plotosus canius, Channa orientalis, Mugil cephalus, Coilia dussumieri and Tetraodon cutcutia. The protein and lipid contents of the selected SIS ranged between 21.43 to 8.59%, and 7.22 to 1.75%, respectively. The study suggests the presence of potent antioxidant and appreciable amount of nutrients in selected fish samples. The top four potential SIS species consist of appreciable amount of protein and antioxidant are Mystus gulio, Silonia silondia, Heteropneustes fossilis and Colisa fasciatus.
Rodent Carcinogenicity Profile of the Antidiabetic Dual PPAR α and γ Agonist Muraglitazar

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors which are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily (Rosen et al., 2000). Three receptor types belonging to this family have been identified including alpha (a), gamma (c), and delta (d)—also called beta. PPARs are potent insulin sensitizers; PPAR a (expressed mainly in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle) is involved in the metabolism of lipoproteins and fatty acids, while PPAR c (expressed mainly in adipose tissue) is involved in the differentiation of fat cells, as well as the metabolism of fatty acids and glucose (Yki-Jarvinen, 2004). Many agonists of these receptors have been developed for use as therapeutic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, including the marketed PPAR c agonists rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease that affects at least 4% of the adult population worldwide (most of whom have type 2 diabetes) (King et al., 1998). The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in industrialized nations, and it is estimated that there will be 221 million diabetics worldwide by the year 2010 (King et al., 1998). Moreover, since the percentage of type 2 diabetic patients that achieve glycemic control with oral antidiabetic treatments is estimated to be less than 50%, there remains a significant unmet medical need for better control of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients (Koro et al., 2004). Control of the dyslipide- mia which is commonly associated with diabetes (character- ized by elevated levels of triglyceride and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is another attractive medical target for treatment in diabetics (Cox, 2005). Muraglitazar is a nonthiazolidinedione, oxybenzylglycine dual PPAR a/c agonist which was previously in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated dyslipidemia. As a dual PPAR agonist, muraglitazar combines the insulin sensitizing and glucose lowering effects of PPAR c agonism with the antidyslipidemic effects of PPAR a agonism. PPARs have a wide tissue distribution, and 2-year mouse and rat carcinogenicity bioassays for 12 PPAR agonists (six c and six dual a/c agonists, including muraglitazar) reviewed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) have