Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of the leaves of three tropical legumes

Information on decomposition and nitrogen release patterns of tropical legumes is scarce despite the important role of legumes in agroforestry systems. Decomposition patterns of the leaves of three tropical legumes Inga edulis Mart. , Cajanus cajan (1.) Millsp. , and Erythrina sp. were determined by a litterbag study in an alley cropping experiment conducted in the Peruvian Amazon. The leaflets of the three species had similar nitrogen concentrations but different lignin and soluble polyphenolic concentrations. Inga and Cajanus decomposed at similar rates (k = 0.91 and 1.72 yr-1, respectively) and had similar polyphenolic concentrations but differed in lignin. Erythrina had the lowest concentration of polyphenolics and decomposed the fastest (k = 3.45 yr-1). Polyphenolics appeared to influence rates of decomposition more than percent nitrogen or percent lignin. It is proposed that the polyphenolics bind to N in the leaves forming compounds resistant to decomposition. These compounds may be precursors to stable forms of nitrogen in soil organic matter. Rates of nutrient loss followed the general trend potassium > phosphorus, nitrogen, and magnesium > calcium. It is apparent from this study that not all leguminous leaves decompose and release nitrogen quickly, despite high nitrogen concentrations in the leaves. Nitrogen release by legumes with high polyphenolic concentrations will be slower than that by legumes with low polyphenolic concentrations and has important implications to nitrogen cycling and the selection of legumes for agroforestry systems.
A multivariate comparison of the seagrasses Zostera marina and Zostera japonica in monospecific versus mixed populations

The seagrasses Zostera marina and Zostera japonica coexist along a portion of a gradual intertidal gradient at Roberts Bank, British Columbia. Individual comparisons of 11 morphological and 2 population characters for Z. marina did not reveal consistently significant differences between the deeper water monospecific population and the population in mixed vegetation. Similar comparisons between the shallow-water monospecific Z. japonica and the mixed vegetation indicated a suppression of Z. japonica shoot production (density) under a canopy of Z. marina. Principal components analysis was used to summarize the original data into a new set of multivariate characters that were then compared using ANOVA and MANOVA. With these analyses, the subtle differences between Z. marina populations became significant at various times. Similar analyses for Z. japonica indicated that morphological differences between the monospecific and mixed populations persisted throughout the sample period. The multivariate characters .
The Transfer of Information About Geriatric Clients in the Occupational Therapy Chain of Care: An Intervention Study

Continuity of interventions for elderly persons after discharge from hospital is affected by the communication between professionals involved in the rehabilitation process. This study describes an intervention project that was implemented to improve ways of transferring information relating to geriatric clients between occupational therapists working on different organizational levels. An assessment of activities of daily living (the ADL taxonomy) was used as a uniform instrument of communication. The results revealed that aspects of temporality, structure, professionalism and the instrument's usefulness influenced the transfer of information. Systematic discharge planning schemes, written and formally structured information, a feedback loop for communication, and collaboration with the clients and their families in the discharge process are all suggested as ways of transferring information.
Temperature dependence of nitrate reductase activity in marine phytoplankton: biochemical analysis and ecological implications

The temperature dependence of NADH:NR activity was examined in several marine phytoplankton species and vascular plants. These species inhabit divergent thermal environments, including the chromophytes Skeletonema costatum (12–15° C), Skeletonema tropicum (18–25° C), Thalassiosira antarctica (−2 to 4° C), and Phaeocystis antarctica (−2 to 4° C), the green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta (14–28° C), and the vascular plants Cucurbita maxima (20–35° C) and Zea mays (20–25° C). Despite the difference in growth habitats, similar temperature response curves were observed among the chromophytic phytoplankton, with temperatures optimal for NR activity being between 10–20° C. In contrast, the chlorophyll b‐containing alga and vascular plants exhibited optimal temperatures for NR activity above 30° C. Such dramatic differences in NR thermal characteristics from the two taxonomic groups reflect a divergence in NR structure that may be associated with the evolutionary diversification of chromophytes and chlorophytes. Further, it suggests a potential contribution of the thermal performance of NR to the geographic distributions, seasonal abundance patterns, and species composition of phytoplankton communities. NR partial activities, which assess the individual functions of Mo‐pterin and FAD domains, were evaluated on NR purified from S. costatum to determine the possible causes for high temperature (>20° C) inactivation of NR from chromophytes. It was found that the FAD domain and electron transport among redox centers were sensitive to elevated temperatures. S. costatum cells grown at 5, 15, and 25° C exhibited an identical optimal temperature (15° C) for NADH:NR activity, whereas the maximal NR activity and NR protein levels differed and were positively correlated with growth temperature and growth rate. These findings demonstrate that thermal acclimation of NO3− reduction capacity is largely at the level of NR protein expression. The consequences of these features on NO3− utilization are discussed.
Monitoring Virological Responses to Interferon-Ribavirin and Interferon Monotherapy of Chronic Hepatitis C Re-treated due to Relapse or Non-response

Adding the nucleoside analog ribavirin (RBV) to interferon (IFN) for treatment of HCV has improved the sustained response rates, but the mechanism by which RBV mediates viral clearance is not fully understood. In this study, a highly sensitive method (Codes Amplicor HCV Monitor) was used to monitor the early (first 12 weeks of therapy) and long-term virological response in 20 patients who were treated first with IFN and later, due to non-sustained response, with IFN-RBV. All 10 IFN relapsers displayed a prompt virological response at week 4 to both IFN and IFN-RBV therapy; nine of them showed a sustained response to IFN-RBV. Out of 10 IFN non-responders, five showed a sustained response to IFN-RBV. Four of these were HCV RNA-negative at week 4 of IFN-RBV therapy and two of them had a transient early virological response (RNA-negative at weeks 4-8) to IFN alone. Overall, of the 14 patients (nine IFN relapsers, five IFN non-responders) with a sustained response to IFN-RBV, 11 and 13 had HCV RNA below 2000 copies/ml at week 4 of IFN and IFN-RBV, respectively, as compared with one and one of six patients without a sustained response to IFN-RBV (p B 0.02). Thus, addition of RBV to IFN increased both viral clearance during the first 12 weeks of therapy and the rate of sustained response. Loss of viremia at week 4 of IFN was associated with a sustained response to IFN-RBV and was seen in 11 of 13 patients (85%) with genotypes 2 or 3, as compared with one of seven patients (14%) with genotype 1 (p0.0044).
The effect of partial flower removal on the relation betwen root, shootand fruti growth in the indeterminate tomato

SUMMARY The root, vegetative shoot and fruit growth of November and January sown glasshouse tomato plants grown in flowing water culture was followed over 6–7 months. The relationship between vegetative and reproductive growth was examined after two-thirds of the flowers were removed from half the experimental plants. This resulted in larger plants which had fewer, larger fruits and eventually a fruit yield almost as large as the controls. In the control plants, fruit growth increased steadily until it reached 90% of the total incremental fresh weight of the plant 50–60 days after first anthesis. Leaf growth was markedly depressed at this stage and root growth ceased 4 wk after anthesis. Some root death was observed from anthesis onwards. When fruit growth subsequently diminished, vegetative growth recovered but to a lower rate than before fruiting commenced. Following partial flower removal, only 64% or less of the total increment of fresh weight went into the fruit. Although vegetative growth at this stage was thus greater than in the control plants, both shoot and root growth followed the same qualitative pattern with time. The ratio of vegetative shoot to root fresh weight remained essentially constant throughout the fruiting phase in plants of both sowings whether flowers were removed or not. This suggests that the fruit grew in competition with the vegetative organs as a whole, although, for a short period at early fruiting, root growth was more seriously affected. The pattern and amount of fruiting in this indeterminate plant was influenced by the size of the vegetative organs at fruiting, and by the effect of the existing developing fruit on further vegetative and reproductive growth.
The osteology and relationships of Vancleavea campi (Reptilia: Archosauriformes)

Vancleavea campi Long & Murry, 1995, from the Late Triassic of western North America, represents the latest surviving non-archosaurian archosauriform known to date. We present here a detailed comparative description based on a nearly complete, articulated skeleton from the Coelophysis Quarry in north-central New Mexico and other fragmentary specimens. The unique combination of morphological features of Vancleavea is unparalleled within Reptilia; it has four unique morphologies of imbricated osteoderms covering the entire body, a short, highly ossified skull, relatively small limbs and morphological features consistent with a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Vancleavea is placed in a rigorous phylogenetic analysis examining the relationships of non-archosaurian archosauriforms, and is found to be more closely related to Archosauria than both Erythrosuchus and Proterosuchus, but outside of the crown group. The analysis confirms previously hypothesized relationships, which found Euparkeria to be the closest sister taxon of Archosauria. It is not clear whether specimens referred to Vancleavea campi represent a single species-level taxon or a clade of closely related taxa that lived through much of the Late Triassic of North America, given the poor fossil record of the taxon.
Factors Influencing the Life Table Statistics of the Cassava Mealybug Phenacoccus Manihoti

Detailed age-specific life table studies were carried out under controlled conditions to measure the effect of temperature, leaf quality ( = age), variety and plant drought stress on net production rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and generation time (G) of Phenacoccus manihoti Mat. -Ferr. in order to explain changes in population densitie) observed in the field. The developmental threshold calculated from our data and results published by various authors was 14.7°C. At 35°C all mealybugs died before reaching the adult stage. Mealybugs reared on leaves of different ages showed little differences in (rm), and the higher occurrence of P. manihoti on plant tips and oldest leaves could not be explained with better nutritive value of these plant parts alone. Cassava varieties have a strong influence on the intrinsic rate of increase, which could explain differences in results published by other authors. Plant drought stress had little influence on the life table statistics, but rainfall is assumed to be a determinant factor in the dynamics of the mealybug. RésuméDes études visant à établir une table de survie détaillée par catégories d’âge ont été menées en environnement contrôlé afin d’évaluer l’impact de la température, de la qualité du feuillage (âge), de la variété et des contraintes hydriques sur le taux de production net (R0), le taux de croissance intrinsèque (rm) et la durée des générations (G) de Phenacoccus manihoti Mat. -Ferr. Ces expériences permettent d’expliquer l’évolution de la densité des populations d’insectes telle qu’on peut l’observer en milieu réel. Le seuil de développement calculé à partir de nos données est de 14,7°C, et correspond aux résultats déjà publiés par plusieurs scientifiques. A 35°C, toutes les cochenilles meurent avant d’avoir atteint l’âge adulte. Les insectes élevés sur des feuilles d’âges différents ont quasiment le même rm. La plus grande incidence de P. manihoti à l’extrémité des plants et sur les feuilles plus vieilles n’est pas seulement due à la meilleure valeur nutritive de ces parties végétales. Les variétés de manioc exercent une forte influence sur le taux de croissance intrinsèque, ce qui peut expliquer les divergences apparaissant dans les résultats publiés par d’autres auteurs. Les contraintes hydriques ont peu d’impact sur les données statistiques de la table de survie, bien que la pluviométrie semble constituer un facteur déterminant de la dynamique des populations de cochenilles du manioc.
Indications of Knowledge Retention in the Transition to Higher Education

First year undergraduate courses in higher education tend to be designed based on assumptions of students’ prior knowledge. Almost 600 undergraduates at five UK universities, studying biological sciences, were given an MCQ test in their first week at university, based on biology A-level (pre-university examination) core criteria. Results demonstrated low-level retention of basic concepts. There was variation between subject area and examination board and an inverse correlation between MCQ score and time since taking A-levels. By discovering what students remember from their pre-university learning, undergraduate courses can be designed to be more student-focused and so develop a deeper-learning teaching strategy. The results also suggest that, if A-levels are to be redesigned to enhance their impact for students entering higher education, creating programmes which encourage retention of key concepts should be a key factor to consider.
Effects of fasting in non-lactating cows. A correlated biochemical and stereological study of fasting-induced fatty liver

Summary Concentrations of serum lipids, concentrations and compositions of liver lipids, and ultrastructural composition of hepatocytes were measured in non-lactating cows following a 6-day fast. There was no change in the concentration of serum lipids due to fasting. The content of total lipid in liver (g/kg of liver wet weight) doubled due to an eightfold increase in triglyceride, a twofold increase in cholesterol ester, a fourfold increase in free fatty acid and a 50% increase in cholesterol. The composition of liver lipids (g lipid/100 g of total lipid) changed with an increase in the proportions of triglyceride and free fatty acid, a decrease in the proportion of phospholipid, and no change in the proportion of cholesterol and cholesterol ester. The ultrastructural composition of the hepatocytes changed in fasted cows with an increase in the volume density of cytoplasm occupied by lipid droplets and lysosomes and a decrease in the volume density of glycogen. The number of mitochondria per cell decreased and volume of individual mitochondria increased. The fatty liver induced by fasting non-lactating cows was chemically and morphologically different from the fatty liver induced by fasting lactating cows.
Desempenho de novilhos suplementados com sais proteinados em pastagem nativa

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of protein salts supplementation on performance of beef steers grazing differed native pasture in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Protein salts were supplemented with: urea, starea, starea plus yeast, and mineral salt. The experiment was conducted during 118 days, and utilized 8 paddocks with 7.5 ha each one, with 8 steers averaging 264 kg and 18 months old, in a completely randomized design. Average composition of pasture was 6.8% of crude protein, 73.3% of neutral detergent fiber, and 42.5% in vitro organic matter digestibility; significative differences weren't detected among treatments. Average daily weight gain of animals fed protein salt with starea plus yeast (0.287 kg), was higher than the weight gain of animals fed mineral salt (0.019 kg); differences weren't detected among urea (0.159 kg) and starea (0.124 kg). Daily intake of protein supplements (0.400 kg) was higher than that of mineral supplement (0.038 kg). Addition of live yeast to the protein salt formulated with starea resulted in better performance of steers grazing differed native pasture.
Assessment of genetic response and character association for yield and yield components in Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) population developed through chemical mutagenesis

Abstract Genetic variation is imperative to any plant improvement program. Therefore, this study was primarily based on this aspect of inducing desirable genetic variation for enhancement of the available lentil genetic diversity. The lentil seeds were treated with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) alone and in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for inducing polygenic variation as well as determining the impact of DMSO on mutagenecity of MMS. Comparative observations were recorded for bio-physiological damages, morphological variation, and quantitative traits to assess the genetic response of the lentil cultivar L 4076 toward the different concentrations of chemicals. Significant statistics suggested that the DMSO interfere with the extent of mutagenecity of MMS in lentil which could be attributed to either synergistic action of both or variation in MMS uptake. The outcome of mutagenesis on the character association study revealed that mutagenic treatments can modify significantly the manner of association between any two traits in lentil. The moderate doses of MMS in combination with 2% DMSO showed notable diminution in the biological damages while accelerating the rate of desirable high-yielding mutants had proved to be economical. The segregate of the selected mutants in future generations will definitely contribute to the improvement of Lentil genotype.
Spontaneous occurrence of meiotic spindle abnormalities in 'Long Headed Poppy' (Papaver dubium L.) from Indian cold regions.

The present paper reports a case of spontaneous occurrence of an abnormal spindle behaviour during male meiosis in the tetraploid (2n=28) cytotype of Papaver dubium from the cold regions of India. In the affected accessions, meiotic course is perfectly normal up to MI resulting into normal oriented 14 bivalents. But during AI/TI and AII/TII spindle activity is abnormal resulting into variable number of laggards, chromatin bridges, unoriented chromosomes, micronuclei, tetrads with microcytes, and polyads. Examination of 1280 PMCs during microsporogenesis reveal that 13.28% tetrads were abnormal resulting into some pollen sterility (6.76%) and variable sized apparently fertile pollen grains. Although the cytological status of these apparently fertile pollen grains could not be ascertained but there role in producing variants in the species can not be ruled out.
Resistance of melon to the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The resistance of 32 melon lines to Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) was studied in Israel. Average counts ten days after infestation, at the fourth-leaf stage, ranged from 3·5 to 57 mites per four leaf discs 1 cm in diameter; six lines had significantly low counts, ranging from 0·9 to 1·5 mites per four leaf discs. Fourteen of the lines were also tested at the flowering stage. No mites were found on two lines, and on a third line very few mites were observed. All three lines also had had significantly low mite counts at the fourth-leaf stage. The results suggest there is a definite variation among melon lines in resistance to mite infestation.
Toliara (Poaceae, Chloridoideae, Cynodonteae), a new grass genus endemic to southern Madagascar

Judziewicz E. L. 2009. — Toliara (Poaceae, Chloridoideae, Cynodonteae), a new grass genus endemic to southern Madagascar. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (2): 273-277. ABSTRACT Toliara arenacea Judziewicz (Poaceae), a new genus and species endemic to coastal sand dunes in southwestern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. It is related to the widespread paleotropical genus Perotis Aton (Chloridoideae, Cynodonteae), but differs in its spikelets with awnless glumes. Known only from the region of the type locality near the city of Toliara, it is critically endangered.
Efficient Synthesis and Antitumor Activities of Indioside E Analogs

An efficient synthesis of seven analogs of a naturally occurring saponin, indioside E, is described. The synthesis used a 3,4,6-O-protected D-galactopyranosyl thioglycoside as the key intermediate to enable regioselective glycosylation and one-pot multistep reactions. Antitumor activities of the synthetic saponins against a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402 and a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 were evaluated by means of the CCK-8 assay. Analogs carrying trisaccharides with the D-xylopyranose in indioside E substituted with a D-ribopyranose and an L-arabinopyranose or with its diosgenin aglycon replaced with tigogenin exhibited similar antitumor activities as indioside E, but not other analogs.
Cancer Patients' and their Physicians' Perceptions of the Formers' need for Occupational Therapy

The aims of the study were to identify cancer patients' need for occupational therapy by (a) describing their and their physicians' perceptions of the former's needs (b) exploring whether patients and physicians agree on the patient's need for occupational therapy, and (c) identifying the factors related to the physicians' and the patients' perceptions of patient needs. One-hundred-and-two patients with a cancer disease and the 11 physicians responsible for them completed the ? Occupational Therapy Needs Assessment? during a visit to a medical consultation unit. Fifty-six percent of the patients felt a need for occupational therapy. In 59% of cases, their physicians judged that there was a need for occupational therapy. Patients and physicians both judged that those patients who were older than 66 years and in the active phase of the disease needed therapy more than those patients under 66 years and not in an active phase of the disease. More patients judged by their physicians to have more than 6 months to live needed occupational therapy more than those judged to have less than 6 months. In conclusion, it seems that occupational therapy is felt by cancer patients and their physicians to be underutilised.
Nitrate reductase, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) under organic fertilizer

Okra is often considered useful in traditional medicine because it contains secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids and young fruits and leaves are rich in minerals and dietary fiber. The objective of this study was to assess the growth and quality of okra pods at different plant spacing and litter compost dosages. Results showed that plant height, crop growth rate, yield, pod weight and, fruit circumference increased with the increasing dose of N compost. The highest nitrate reductase activity was at 50 cm row spacing and 150 kg N ha-1 interaction. Chlorophyll content at 75 cm row spacing was higher than 50 cm row spacing. Chlorophyll content was higher at 150 kg N than 0 kg N ha-1, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1. Level of antioxidants decreased with the increase of N given both in row spacing of 50 cm and 75 cm.