Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF fie AND met1 MUTATIONS AND IN VITRO CULTURE CONDITIONS ON AUTONOMOUS ENDOSPERM DEVELOPMENT IN UNFERTILIZED OVULES OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

In flowering plants, seeds are produced both sexually (double fertilization is required) and asexually via apomixis (meiotic reduction and egg fertilization are omitted). An apomictic-like pattern of endosperm development in planta is followed by fis mutants of sexual Arabidopsis thaliana. In our experiments in planta, autonomous endosperm (AE) developed in met1 mutants. Furthermore we obtained autonomous endosperm formation in vitro not only in unfertilized ovules of fie mutants but also in wild genotypes (Col-0, MET1/MET1, FIE/FIE) and met1 mutants. AE induction and development occurred in all genotypes on the each of the media used and in every trial. The frequency of AE was relatively high (51.2% ovaries) and genotype-dependent. AE induced in vitro represents a more advanced stage of development than AE induced in fie mutants in planta. This was manifested by a high number of nuclei surrounded by cytoplasm and organized in nuclear cytoplasmic domains (NCDs), nodule formation, division into characteristic regions, and cellularization. The high frequency of AE observed in homozygous met1 (met1/met1) mutants probably is due to accumulation of hypomethylation as an effect of the met1 mutation and the in vitro conditions. AE development was most advanced in FIE/fie mutants. We suggest that changes in the methylation of one or several genes in the DNA of Arabidopsis genotypes caused by in vitro conditions resulted in AE induction and/or further AE development.
Economic importance and growth rate of broiler chickens served fluted pumpkin ( Telfaria occidentalis ) leaves extract

An 8-week experiment was conducted to assess the weight gain and the economic importance of broiler chickens served fluted pumpkin leaf extract (FPLE) during the late dry season in Ibadan, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty day-old Anak 2000 broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 5 treatments which contained 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 ml of FPLE per litre of water for A, B, C, D and E, respectively, in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated three times. The birds were fed with the same starter and finisher diets. The feed and water were served ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The FPLE is rich in protein (21.31%), ash (10.92%) and low in crude fibre, oxalate and tannin. Results of average body weight gain was significantly (P (1676.19 g/bird) compared to the birds served 30-120 ml of FPLE (1833.09-2089.70 g/bird). The cost of feed out of the total cost of production was least on the birds served 30- 120 ml of FPLE (61.79%) unlike control (66.21%). Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was best on the birds served 30-120 ml FPLE/l of water (1.91:1-2.06:1) compared to control (1.76:1). The net profit (NP) and cost of feed per kilogramme live weight gain were N307.13 and N87.50 /kg for the birds served 120 ml FPLE/litre of water compared to control (N208.17 and N96.52/kg), respectively. An average NP of N273.56 was made for the broiler chickens served 30-120 ml FPLE/l of water with reference to control (N208.17), which was a difference of N64.39 per bird. For improved growth rate and higher profit margin, it is advisable to serve broiler chickens 120 ml FPLE/litre of water during the late dry season. This is a simple, affordable and available technology for poultry farmers most especially during the harsh climatic period of the year.
MILK PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF MURRAH BUFFALOES OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA

The data pertaining to variable production and reproduction traits of Murrah buffaloes (1980 lactation records of 698 Murrah buffaloes) were collected from the Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Alamadhi, Tamil Nadu, India. The overall leastsquares means (± SE) for peak yield, days to attain peak yield, 305-day milk yield, lactation length, lactation milk yield, service period, calving interval and dry period were 8.87 ± 0.05 kg, 53.4 ± 0.8 days, 1804.9 ± 14.7 kg, 297.8 ± 1.9 days, 1855.6 ± 16.1 kg, 225.0 ± 5.5, 532.8 ± 5.5 and 230.2 ± 4.9 days, respectively. Period of calving had a highly signifi cant (P<0.01) effect on all the traits studied except days to attain peak yield, where it had only a signifi cant (P<0.05) effect. Season of calving had a signifi cant (P<0.05) effect on peak yield and lactation milk yield and a highly signifi cant (P<0.01) effect on days to attain peak yield, 305-day milk yield, milk yield per day of lactation and all the reproduction traits studied. The lowest calving interval was observed in south-west monsoon calvers, and they differed signifi cantly (P<0.05) from winter and summer calvers. Parity had a highly signifi cant effect (P<0.01) on all the traits studied. Pairwise comparison revealed that the lactation milk yield was lowest in fi rst parity and differed signifi cantly (P<0.05) from other parities. In general, the reproduction traits such as service period, calving interval and dry period were slightly higher than those observed in the home tract of the Murrah buffalo and hence better breeding management and introduction of genetic evaluation programmes are needed for genetic improvement of these traits.
Timing of post‐emergence weed harrowing

The timing of post-emergence weed harrowing was evaluated for two years in spring barley with crop-weed selectivity and crop recovery as the key parameters measured. Selectivity describes the relationship between weed control and crop soil cover immediately after harrowing, with crop soil cover as the percentage of the crop that has been covered by soil due to harrowing. Crop recovery describes the relationship between crop yield loss and crop soil cover in the absence of weeds. Neither selectivity nor crop recovery was affected by timing within a period of two weeks in the early growth stages of spring barley. Selectivity was unaffected by year and 80% weed control was associated with crop soil cover in the range of 23-33%, for all combinations of year and growth stage. Crop recovery was affected by year, with an average crop yield loss of 3.5% caused by 25% crop soil cover in 2007 and complete recovery in 2008. A detailed study of crop growth and weed density in the period just after harrowing, showed that the recovery processes of crop and weeds were influenced by timing of harrowing, but this had no impacts on crop yield. In conclusion, timing of post-emergence weed harrowing was not found to be crucial, given the condition that the aggressiveness of cultivation was adjusted to the growth stage.
Hydrochar and Biochar Effects on Germination of Spring Barley

Within the framework of climate change mitigation by sequestrating recalcitrant carbon in soil, biochar is considered as a promising soil amendment. Testing any such soil additives is vitally important, as they should not cause abiotic stress for plants due to chemical constituents they may contain. Thus, germination tests with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) were conducted to assess phytotoxic effects of biochar, hydrochar and process-water from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as soil amendments. Additionally, single-component tests with substances found in process-waters were carried out with cress (Lepidium sativum). While biochars generally had no effect on germination, hydrochars and process-waters significantly inhibited germination. The dissolved organic carbon content predicted the germination-inhibiting effects observed. Three compounds resulted in partial (guaiacol) or total (levulinic acid and glycolic acid) inhibition of cress seed germination, and three others (acetic acid, glycolaldehyde dimer and catechol) had a negative impact on growth. Phytotoxic substances in chars appeared to be mostly water soluble and volatile. Pre-treatments of hydrochars and process-waters (i.e. storage and washing) were able to reduce germination inhibition. While phytotoxic substances that are generated during HTC stay in the products, biochars from kiln carbonization of the same feedstocks had no negative effects on germination, likely because volatiles evaporate during the conversion. Our study highlights the importance of comprehensively testing carbonized products for their compatibility with agricultural and horticultural systems.
Molecular Phylogeny of Stryphnodendron (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae) and Generic Delimitations in the Piptadenia Group

Premise of research. Despite recent progress on the systematics of the Leguminosae, the relationships between some genera, as well as their circumscriptions, remain uncertain. Here we investigate the relationships between Stryphnodendron and closely related genera in the Piptadenia group, a clade of problematic taxonomy for which a robust phylogenetic hypothesis is still lacking. Methodology. Taxonomic sampling included 23 species of Stryphnodendron (77% of the genus) and representatives of genera of the Piptadenia group. DNA (matK/trnK, trnD-trnT, trnL-trnF, and ITS) sequences constituting a data set with 6798 bp and 94 terminals were used in parsimony and Bayesian analyses. A set of 17 morphological characters were optimized on the estimated phylogeny to evaluate clade synapomorphies and character evolution. Pivotal results. Our increased molecular and taxonomic sampling improved the resolution of a previously largely unresolved clade that included Microlobius, Parapiptadenia, Pityrocarpa, Pseudopiptadenia, and Stryphnodendron. Major lineages within this clade are an early-diverging clade containing the sister genera Parapiptadenia and Pseudopiptadenia; the genus Pityrocarpa, with Pseudopiptadenia brenanii nested within it; and a Stryphnodendron clade including the monospecific genus Microlobius. Samples of Stryphnodendron grouped into three strongly supported clades: a group of seven species bearing large leaflets and relatively few pairs of pinnae, sister to Microlobius foetidus; a clade containing samples of Stryphnodendron duckeanum; and a large and poorly resolved clade containing the remaining species of Stryphnodendron, including species with small leaflets and higher number of pinnae and highly specialized dwarf subshrubs adapted to savanna fire regimes. Lack of resolution within this clade suggests rapid and recent diversification in both savannas and rain forests in the Neotropics. Conclusions. Our findings highlight the importance of densely sampled phylogenies to rigorously test the monophyly of genera. Key morphological characters are proposed to assist generic delimitations in the Piptadenia group. New taxonomic rearrangements are needed in order to accommodate the results presented here.
Bioaccumulation of lipophilic substances in fish early life stages

Accumulation of 14C‐labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners PCB 31 and PCB 105 with a log octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow) range from 3.37 to 6.5 was investigated in eggs and larvae of zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio), and in larvae of cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus), and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Significant differences in the uptake and elimination rate constants between eggs and larvae of zebra fish were seen. The low rate of uptake and the lower elimination rate of eggs did, however, lead to bioconcentration factors (BCFs) comparable to those for larvae. As biotransformation of xenobiotics in embryonic and larval stages was indicated to be insignificant compared to juvenile/adult stages, body burdens of readily biotransformed chemicals may be higher in fish early life stages. Because weight and lipid content did not differ much between the investigated species, the main reason for the variability in BCFs between marine species (cold water species) and freshwater species (warm water species) was considered to be caused by differences in exposure temperatures that affect the degree of biotransformation. Due to the smaller size of larvae and thus an increased total surface of the membranes per unit fish weight, steady‐state conditions were reached at a faster rate in early life stages than in juvenile/adult life stages. The lipid‐normalized bioconcentration factors (BCFL) were linearly related to Kow, but BCFL was, in general, higher than Kow, indicating that octanol is not a suitable surrogate for fish lipids. Differences in bioconcentration kinetics between larvae and juvenile/adult life stages are considered to be the main reason for the higher sensitivity, with respect to external effect concentrations, generally obtained for early life stages of fish.
Herdsmen's attitudes towards rangeland fencing, protection of Przewalski's gazelle and control of wolf predation on livestock

This study was conducted in the Hudong-Ketu area to the south-east of Qinghai Lake, China, one of the main habitats of Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii). The objective was to understand herdsmen’s perceptions and attitudes towards rangeland fencing, gazelle protection and control of wolf predation on livestock. A total of 251 families of herdsmen were randomly selected for face-to-face interviews in March 2011 (100 families), 2012 (65 families), and 2013 (86 families). The interview results showed that the herdsmen had a strong willingness to protect the gazelle and most of the interviewees were willing to reduce the height of their rangeland fences, but few herdsmen were willing to completely remove fencing without compensation. Although the responses from the herdsmen suggested that they would like to see some gazelle grazing on their rangeland, they considered the gazelle as a competitor with their livestock for grass herbage. The majority of herdsmen interviewed had suffered from some loss of livestock due to wolf predation, and most of them considered wolf predation a serious problem, particularly to their sheep. Most of them thus did not want to see an increase in the number and distribution of wolves, but none of the interviewees would kill wolves. The herdsmen’s belief in Tibetan Buddhism played an important role in influencing the attitudes of the herdsmen towards wolves and the gazelle. These interview results suggest that the herdsmen, as key stakeholders, need to be considered and involved in the development and implementation of any program to protect the gazelle, recovery of wolf populations and maintain rangeland ecosystems.
Disturbance history and stand dynamics in tall open forest and riparian rainforest in the Central Highlands of Victoria

Spatial heterogeneity in the intensity of past disturbances has directly influenced the structure and composition of present-day forests around the world. In south-eastern Australia infrequent, high-intensity wildfires are a major part of the historical disturbance regime. While these fires are often assumed to produce even-aged stands, spatial heterogeneity in fire intensity due to highly variable topography may lead to more complex forest age structures. Our study describes the influence of disturbance on the age structure and dynamics of a mosaic of tall, open eucalypt forest, cool temperate rainforest and mixed species forest surrounding Bellel Creek in the Central Highlands of Victoria using dendrochronological techniques. We were particularly interested in the impacts of the 1939 Black Friday fire and its effects on forest age structure and subsequent stand development patterns. Within our study site tall open forest displayed two distinct age cohorts: (i) trees that established immediately after the 1939 fire and accounted for the majority of individuals in the forest, and (ii) scattered groups of older trees estimated to be approximately 200–250 years old. Cool temperate rainforest and mixed forest were also dominated by the post-1939 fire age cohort. However, a greater proportion of trees in these forest types survived the 1939 fire relative to the tall open forest. The impact of the 1939 fire on the growth of surviving trees was highly variable but generally short-lived. In most cases growth decreased after the 1939 fire, but generally returned to prefire levels within 1–3 years. Non-fire disturbances were limited to small-scale branch- and tree-fall events, although the extreme snowstorm of 1977 appears to have caused extensive damage to rainforest communities. Our study demonstrates the opportunities for dendroecological studies to reconstruct historical dynamics and disturbance patterns in Australian forests and provides important insights into variation in landscape-scale fire impacts and their effect on subsequent forest development patterns.
Novel roles for RANK, ERK and Akt in sensory and sympathetic neuronal populations

A PCR screen, conducted in a previous study, to identify novel candidates involved in regulating the survival and growth of developing neurons, identified transcripts for the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily member receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) in the experimentally tractable sensory neurons of the mouse nodose, trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia. Immunohistochemistry revealed coexpression of RANK, together with its ligand, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), a decoy receptor, in all nodose, trigeminal and superior cervical gangia neurons in neonates. Over-expressing RANK inhibited BDNF- and CNTF-promoted neurite growth in nodose neurons, and NGF-promoted neurite growth in SCG and trigeminal neurons, without affecting neuronal survival. This effect was seen across a range of developmental ages, from embryonic timepoints, to postnatal ages, suggesting a fundamental role for this receptor in regulating neurotrophin-mediated neurite growth. Investigations revealed the requirement of TRAF2, NIK, IKKp and NF-kB, but not TRAF6 or IKKa, for RANK-mediated inhibition of BDNF-mediated neuritic outgrowth from nodose neurons at a time when neurons are extending axons and ramifying in their targets. Exploration of other possible RANK signalling mediators revealed a role for the important intracellular kinases, MEK and Akt, in the regulation of BDNF- mediated neuritic outgrowth from early postnatal nodose neurons. Akt was found to positively regulate BDNF-mediated neuritic outgrowth, while MEK negatively regulates the outgrowth mediated by this neurotrophin.
Effect of ageing time on consumer-perceived quality of Italian Simmental beefRiassuntoeffetto Della Durata Della Frollatura Sulla Percezione Di QualitÀ Del Consumatore Nei Confronti Della Carne Di Pezzata Rossa Italiana

Abstract The aim of the experiment was to provide an objective indication on the optimal ageing time of meat from Italian Simmental (IS) young bulls, the most important commercial category of the breed. The research was carried out on 10 young bulls slaughtered at the average weight of 688 kg (SE: 7.3 kg). The right side of each carcass was stored for 7 days and the left one for further 7 days, at normal refrigeration temperatures. At the end of the ageing period, the sides were sampled at the loin for meat pH, color, cooking loss and shear force measurement. A central location, affective test involving 74 consumers was carried out to measure the degree of liking for grilled beef aged 7 or 14 days. The pH and color parameters were not significantly affected by the duration of post-mortem storage, while cooking loss increased (31.4 vs 32.6 %; P<0.05) and shear force values diminished (56.7 vs 46.8 N; P< 0.01) when ageing time increased from 7 to 14 days. The degree of liking by the untrained respondents for the two types of cooked meat was different, considering that consumers gave the highest hedonistic scores to beef aged 14 days. Tenderness was the sensory attribute that allowed the best discrimination between beef stored for periods of different length. In fact, while the difference between 14-day-aged and 7-day-aged beef for flavour ratings (7.0 vs 6.9) did not reach the threshold of significance, the former meat was perceived as significantly finer than the latter regarding tenderness (6.5 vs 5.6; P= 0.01) and marginally preferred in overall terms (6.9 vs 6.5; P= 0.07). The classification test, carried out at the end of the quantitative test by asking consumers to select from a list the most appropriate attributes describing the stimuli associated with meat consumption, confirmed the effectiveness of texture attributes in ranking different-aged beef acceptability. In fact, the number of ticks reported for chewiness and juiciness descriptors were different for the two types of meat: the 14-day-aged beef was perceived as easier to chew (57 vs 34 ticks) and juicier (42 vs 24) than the shortest-aged beef. Ageing for 14 days should be recommended as a process control point for the beef industry to improve consumer acceptance of IS young bull beef.
Early post hatch nutrition on immune system development and function in broiler chickens

The onset of feeding broiler chicks after hatch is often delayed by 48–72 hours due to variations in hatching time and follow up hatchery practices, affecting their ultimate performance at marketable age. In the newly hatched chicks, residual yolk serves as a source of nutrients until access to exogenous sources of feed is established. However, despite the residual yolk being sufficient to maintain the chicks during the first three to four days of life, it does not provide the required level of nutrients to fully support the genetic expression of the bird's potential for growth, development of the gastro-intestinal tract or the immune system. Development of the avian immune system is triggered during embryogenesis, but is not evolved until a few weeks of age post hatch, and can be stunted due to the unavailability of nutrients if hatchlings are deprived of food immediately after hatch. Early feeding is not only associated with immune organ development, but also with the functioning of the immune system in broiler hatchlings. With the continued increase in the economic importance of broiler chickens, an understanding of the development and function of the immune system in these birds and their capacity to respond effectively to divergent antigens is necessary.
Bio-efficacy of herbicides on weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and its residual effect on succeeding cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Field and pot experiments were conducted during rabi between 2004–05 and 2005–06 to study the effect of various herbicides and its mixtures on weeds and yield of wheat under irrigated conditions of Jammu. Among the different weed control treatments, fenoxaprop+metribuzin (120+100 g/ha) being at par with either tank mix application of sulfosulfuron + 2,4-D (25 + 500 g/ha) though and clodinafop + metsulfuron methyl (60 + 2 g/ha), or alone application of sulfosulfuron (25 g/ha) and metribuzin (175 g/ha or 200 g/ha) reduced the population of Poa annua, Phalaris minor, Trachyspermum spp. , Anagallis arvensis and Euphorbia helioscopia and total weed biomass than weedy check besides significant reduction in N, P and K uptake by weeds thereby increasing the nutrient uptake and grain yield of wheat. Weeds caused 40.25% reduction in grain yield of wheat compared with weedy free plots. Residual effect of various herbicides and their mixtures applied in wheat on growth of succeeding cucurbits was not significant. Tank mix application of isoproturon+2, 4-D (750 + 500 g/ha) was the most economical treatment.