Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterosis for Agronomic Characters in Safflower

The nature and magnitude of heterosis for plant yield, seed oil percent and a number of other variables related to fitness and productivity in cultivated safflower were assessed in the F1 generation of 8 x 8 full diallel in 1978 and 10 x 10 in 1979. Hybrids displayed substantial differences in their heterotic responses for various characters. Averaged over 146 crosses from both the diallels, heterosis was very high for yield per plant (55%), high for capitulum weight (26%), moderate for capitula number (19.5%) and number of primary branches/plant (13.5%), low for capitulum diameter (6 8%) and negligible or absent for plant height, flowering time, seed weight and percent oil. Hybrids outyielded their superior parents in 76 cases and the best adapted check in 28 cases out of 146 examined. The highest yielding hybrid in the material excelled its superior parent by 119% and the bast standard check by 70% across reciprocal crosses. Hybrids between genetically diverse parents manifested more hybrid vigour than those from closely related ones. A number of top yielding crosses involved either one or both the parents otherwise low or medocire in yield potential. Ranking of crosses based on their heterotic effects over mid or superior parents showed relatively poor agreement with the actual per se performance of crosses. Heterosis for yield in the material was mostly associated with hybrid vigour in number and/or weight of capitula. Reciprocal differences were, in general, low or absent in safflower. No undesirable heterotic responses in maturity duration, plant height and oil percent were detected in crosses that manifested significant positive heterosis for yields. The results suggest tremendous potential of hybrids in safflower for raising per hectare yields and oil out-turn
In Vitro Shoot Formation and Elongation of Dwarf Pomegranate

Fig. 1. Effect of BA (A) and NAA (B) concentration on in vitro shoot formation and elongation of Punica granatum ‘Nana’ on MS medium supplemented with either 2.0 μM NAA (A) or 2.0 μM BA (B). Each data point represents the mean ± 1 SE of 20 cultures. Dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum L. ‘Nana’) is used for landscape, indoor culture, and bonsai. Adventitious shoot formation has been reported in anther and leaf callus cultures of tree pomegranate (Moriguchi et al., 1987; Omura et al., 1987). In vitro propagation has also been reported for tree pomegranate (Mascarenhas et al., 1981). However, we found no information on in vitro propagation of dwarf pomegranate. In this paper, we report in vitro shoot formation from nodal sections of dwarf pomegranate. Terminal shoots with seven to 10 nodes were excised from actively growing plants of dwarf pomegranate maintained in a greenhouse. Shoots were surface-disinfected as described previously (Zhang et al., 1987) and then cut to provide nodal sections (≈ 5 mm long). The explants were placed vertically in 25 × 100 mm culture tubes each containing 10 ml modified MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962; Zhang et al., 1987). For shoot formation and elongation, the medium was supplemented with the following combinations of plant growth regulators: 1) with the NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) level fixed at 2.0 μM, BA [ N -(phenylmethyl)-l H purin6-amine] levels were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, or 16.0 μM; and 2) with the BA level fixed at 2 μM, NAA levels were 0, 0.5, 1.0,
Ecophysiology of coffee growth and production

, which together account for 99% of the world coffee bean production. Thisreview is organized into sections dealing with (i) climatic factors and environmental requirements, (ii) root and shootgrowth, (iii) blossoming synchronisation, fruiting and cup quality, (iv) competition between vegetative andreproductive growth and branch die-back, (v) photosynthesis and crop yield, (vi) physiological components of cropyield, (vii) shading and agroforestry systems, and (viii) high-density plantings.
Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in Wolaita Zone Kindo Koish District of Ethiopia

Cross sectional study was conducted in Kindo Kiosh District, Wolaita administrative zone of SNNPRS from October 2011 to June 2012 to determine the prevalence rate of bovine trypanosomosis. In the parasitological survey, blood samples of 268 cattle were examined using a buffy coat technique and thin smear under Gimsa stain. The packed cell volume (PCV) value of each animal was also measured using hematocrit reader. The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis was found to be 6.3%. The prevalence varied between different study areas; 5.6% in areas of low vegetation cover including (Henza, Chalenche and Moundena) to 7.2% in areas of high vegetation over (Moliticho and Fejena Mata) respectively. The most positive cases were due to Trypanosoma congolense (58.8%) followed by Trypanosoma vivax (29.4%) and mixed infection of these two species was observed in 11.8% of animals. The mean PCV value (%) of parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals during the study period were 23.8±1.89 SD and 25.6±1.38 SD with a statistically significance (p 0.05). Key words: Bovine, Ethiopia, Kindo koisha district, prevalence, trypanosomosis.
Topological keystone species : measures of positional importance in food webs

The local extinction or large fluctuation in abundance of a species may seriously affect other species in the community. The effects spread through the community by direct and indirect interactions. The network perspective on ecology can help map the pathways of these effects, for food webs, the pathways of indirect trophic interactions. Indirect interactions typically decay in intensity as they spread. Therefore, there is a conceptual maximum range in topological space beyond which interactions have no effects, even though all species remain connected. Neither the local characteristics of species, nor the global characteristics of entire webs, suitably quantify this range. We therefore apply intermediate scale indices that reflect the limitations imposed by effect damping in networks. We present a complex analysis of the topological positional importance of species in the Chesapeake Bay web. This web is a carbon-flow network that represents trophic interactions. We present several different indices reflecting different properties and discuss which questions the different indices best answer. We look for the best indices for identifying the key players in ecosystem functioning. Our study contributes to the quantification of relative species importance and provides an exact and a priori determination of a class of candidate keystone species that can inform applied and conservation ecology as well as theoretical concerns.
Influence of Echinacea extract pre- or postnatal supplementation on immune and oxidative status of growing rabbits

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Echinacea purpurea (E) root extract supplementation on the immune response and antioxidant status of growing New Zealand White rabbits. The study started with twenty pregnant does divided into two groups (10 each): the control (MC) group and the E-treated (MT) group. Twenty pups obtained from both the MC and MT does were divided into four sub-groups (n=10 each): (i) PCMC (control pups from control mothers), (ii) PTMC (E-treated pups from control mothers), (iii) PCMT (control pups from E-treated mothers), and (iv) PTMT (E-treated pups from E-treated mothers). Treatment with Echinacea showed, at the end of the fattening period, as compared to the control, a reduction in the mortality rate in the PTMC and PTMT groups and significantly increased body weight and red blood cells; the percentage of packed cell volume increased significantly in the PTMT group at the end of the experiment as compared to the PCMC group. The white blood cell count and particularly the percentage of lymphocytes increased (P<0.05) in the PTMC and PTMT groups while the percentage of neutrophils decreased (P<0.05). Plasma total protein (TP), serum total IgG, serum glutathione and nitric oxide increased (P<0.05) while the serum albumin/globulin ratio and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased (P<0.05) in the PTMC and PTMT groups. Our results suggest that Echinacea purpurea extract supplementation to pregnant and weaned rabbits might enhance the immune function and increase the activities of the antioxidant defence system in addition to the reduction of mortality rate after weaning, which is a strategy to improve growth performance and animal health when fattening rabbits for production.
The effect of degrees of bilingualism on metacognitive linguistic skills

Purpose and research question: The present study investigated whether there was any significant difference between balanced bilinguals, dominant bilinguals, limited bilinguals and monolinguals in the application of metacognitive linguistic skills while doing a reading comprehension task in the additional (English) language. Namely, how do different degrees of bilingualism affect metacognitive linguistic skills? Methodology: The present study examined three domains of metacognitive reading process (planning, monitoring and evaluating), as well as the overall use of metacognitive reading strategies. Four groups of participants (30 seventh grade students in each group) completed a Metacognitive Reading Strategies Questionnaire, aimed at measuring their metacognitive awareness in each domain after fulfilling a reading comprehension task in English. Data analysis: A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used in order to test the differences within groups and between groups. Findings and conclusions: Level of metacognitive reading awareness was affected by the degree of bilingualism. There was a positive influence of balanced (reading and writing skills in the second language) and imbalanced (oral skills in the second language) degrees of bilingualism on metacognitive linguistic abilities. A balanced degree of bilingualism exerted the greatest influence on most of the metacognitive reading domains (planning, monitoring and the total use of metacognitive strategies). Significance: A significant advantage of balanced bilinguals over all other groups was revealed. Level of metacognitive reading awareness was affected by the degree of bilingualism. Thus, bilingual education should be taken seriously due to its positive effect on all aspects of thinking and learning. Results provided additional support to the notion that bilingualism had a positive impact on the metacognitive linguistic skills. Moreover, the balance between the languages appeared to be a significant variable. Thus, balanced bilinguals, who possessed the highest competence in the second language, showed the best performance in the domains of planning, monitoring and overall use of metacognitive reading strategies. Limited bilinguals, on the contrary, demonstrated the lowest scores in the mentioned domains. The findings also revealed the absence of any considerable difference between the groups in the domain of evaluating.
Body distribution and source of mycosporine-like amino acids in the cyclopoid copepod Cyclops abyssorum tatricus

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are an important family of photoprotective compounds accumulated by zooplankton, but little is known about their localization in the body or their source in natural lake populations. Here, we assessed first, the distribution of MAAs in the body of the copepod Cyclops abyssorum tatricus and second, measured stable isotope signatures (dC, dN) in different life stages of the copepod, as well as in seston and benthic primary producers to reveal the potential source of these compounds in a UV transparent alpine lake. The stable isotope analysis showed that this copepod was herbivorous throughout its ontogeny, from nauplius to adult. Mixing models based on the stable isotope signatures suggest that this copepod feeds predominantly on the ,20-mm size fraction of seston. These models also indicated that the probability of feeding in the upper water layers was high in the ice-cover period, but that the copepod switched to deep water layers in the ice-free period following the maximum of phytoplankton biomass. The higher MAA concentration found in C. abyssorum tatricus during the ice-free period was not connected with an enhanced availability in the food source, but seems to be the result of an active accumulation. The highest MAA content in the body of C. abyssorum tatricus females was found in eggs. Our results indicate that MAAs in this copepod are efficiently accumulated through the diet (mainly nanophytoplankton) and transferred to the nauplii as an important strategy to provide photoprotection for the first life stages.
Host specificity of Longitarsus quadriguttatus (Pont., 1765) (Col., Chrysomelidae), an agent for the biological control of hound's tongue (Cynoglossum officinale L., Boraginaceae) in North America

The host specificity of the European flea‐beetle Longitarsus quadriguttatus was investigated between 1991 and 1993 as a potential agent for the biological control of hound's‐tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), a weed of European origin that has become naturalized in North America. Life‐history studies showed a good synchronization of the univoltine flea‐beetle with its host plant. Adults feed on leaves and deposit eggs on host plant rosettes. The larvae develop inside the roots. Host specificity screening tests comprising adult feeding‐, oviposition‐ and larval development tests were carried out with 49 European plant species. Adults or larvae exclusively attacked plants in the family Boraginaceae. The 18 test plant species in nine other families remained free from feeding and oviposition and supported no larval development. Adults nibbled on most of the 31 Boraginaceae species tested. Normal adult feeding was mainly found on plants in the tribe Cynoglosseae, which were preferrably attacked in oviposition tests. Larvae developed mainly in roots of Cynoglosseae species. Occasional attack of other Boraginoideae species in laboratory tests could not be verified under field conditions. Host acceptance tests showed normal feeding, oviposition and development on the North American biotype of hound's‐tongue. L. quadriguttatus has a narrow host range and a good potential for controlling the target plant in North America.
Studies on genetic variability, correlation and path analysis of seed yield and related traits in green gram [Vigna radiata L. Wilczek].

An experiment was conducted on green gram to study he genetic variability, correlation among the yiel d components their direct and indirect effects on see d yi ld generating from the cross BL-865 × Chinamun g in F 2 and F 3 generation to make effective selections. Highest GC V and PCV were observed for all the traits studied. On the basis of genetic variability study all the growth and yield traits exhibited high heritability estimates (broad sense) coupled with high genetic advance, indicating the preponderance of ad ditive gene action. Hence, direct selection may be ex rcised for improvement of these traits. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher in magnitude than the genotypic coefficient of variation. Number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant and threshing percentage had s own positive and significant correlation along with their high posit ive direct effect with seed yield, suggesting that t ese parameters may be considered as prime traits during the course of sel ection to have the higher potential of yield in gre en gram.
Ovulation, insemination and mating in the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes

ABSTRACT. Analyses of the ovulation, insemination and mating of female Glossina pallidipes Austen, were carried out in the field and laboratory. In unmated females, ovulation was delayed until at least the fifteenth day of adult life. The predictable pattern of growth and development of eggs was used to age nulliparous females to the nearest day in the field. Inseminated females first appeared at 5–6 days old and most females became inseminated at 8–10 days of age. There were no significant differences in the age at insemination in Zimbabwe or Kenya. Ovulation had occurred in the field by 10–11 days old. Mating therefore occurs at or just before ovulation. Females were able to mate at up to 12 days old and still produce a viable larva from their first egg. In laboratory flies originating from Uganda, factors which reduced and minimized the effects of disturbance, maximized insemination rate, so that under the best conditions the age at mating was identical to that found in the field. Nevertheless, the insemination rate of Fl generation Zimbabwe flies reared from wild‐caught females was negligible. The differences in the laboratory mating behaviour of the Zimbabwe flies and the flies from the long‐established colony of Uganda origin, are considered to be due to wild G. pallidipes being easily disturbed under laboratory conditions, whereas colony breeding rapidly selects for passivity. The concept of gross differences in G. pallidipes mating behaviour between geographic areas in thus rejected.
Long-term variation in, and effects of fertiliser addition on, flower, fruit and seed production in the tree Sorbus aucuparia (Rosaceae)

In this paper, I present long-term data on reproduction for the tree Sorbus aucuparia. Variation in fruit-set (6 yr) in 22 trees in one population is described and related to flower predation, climate and floral display size. Fruit production is described for 7 yr in eight trees in each of four populations and related to climate. An additional study, application of a mineral fertiliser, was conducted to test if nutrient availability affected flower, fruit and seed production. The descriptive study showed that mean fruit-set differed significantly between individuals and years. The ranges of yearly mean proportion of initiated fruit/flower, mature fruit/initiated fruit and mature fruit/flower were large (12-41%, 2-72% and 0.3-23%, respectively). Predation of flowers was low, 1% on average (range 0.3-2%). Between-year variations in fruit-set were positively correlated (though not significant) with precipitation during the phase of initiation and maturation of fruits, respec
Morphometry of the gill respiratory area in ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.)

Morphometry of the gill respiratory area in ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) The structure of the gill respiratory surface area (GRSA) was analyzed in nine specimens of Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) of different body weights. The observed GRSA values increased from 4638.46 mm2 in the smallest specimen to 19522.8 mm2 in the largest one. The allometric relationship of different gill components to body weight were estimated using the equation Y = aWb. The calculated allometric relationship between GRSA and body weight is expressed with the equation: Y=1348.16W0.687. The relationships between GRSA and body weight are statistically significant, the correlation coefficients are positive and significant (P < 0.01), and their values range from 0.95 to 0.99. The results obtained show that previously published GRSA values for ruffe were overestimated. Badania powierzchni oddechowej skrzeli jazgarza Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) Badania rozwoju powierzchni oddechowej skrzeli zostały przeprowadzone na 9 osobnikach jazgarza Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) o zróżnicowanej masie ciała. Otrzymane wartości całkowitej powierzchni skrzeli wynoszą 4638,46 mm2 u najmniejszego osobnika i 19522,8 mm2 u największego. Matematyczna zależność pomiędzy poszczególnymi komponentami składającymi się na całkowitą powierzchnię oddechową została obliczona za pomocą równania Y = aWb (Y = 1348,16W0.687). Zależność pomiędzy powierzchnią oddechową skrzeli i masą ciała jest statystycznie istotna, współczynnik korelacji jest również statystycznie istotny (P < 0,01), jego wartości wynoszą od 0,95 do 0,99. Otrzymane rezultaty korygują badania przeprowadzone za pomocą innych metod.
Comparison of Competitive ELISA, PCR and Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification of Mycoplasmal DNA in Confirmatory Diagnosis of an Outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia in Eastern Rwanda

An outbreak of a respiratory disease in cattle was reported in February 2010 at the Rwanda Agriculture Board research station at Nyagatare in Eastern Rwanda. The tentative diagnosis based on clinical and postmortem signs suggested infection with Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP). This paper presents a comparison of diagnostic techniques and their suitability in detecting early and asymptomatic carriers of CBPP. Serum was prepared from jugular vein blood and used to identify CBPP-infected animals using competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) assay and this was later confirmed with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) of mycoplasmal DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). In order to confirm PCR positivity and enhance sensitivity, nested PCR was performed. In this study, 81 animals were examined by c- ELISA of which 52 were positive, 18 negative and 11 doubtful. Nasal swabs taken from the same 81 animals were examined by both PCR and LAMP for CBPP infections and 17 (20.9%) were found positive by all the three diagnostic techniques. c-ELISA positive and PCR-negative were 35 (43.2%) while c-ELISA- negative and PCR-positive was zero. Two samples were c-ELISA negative and LAMP positive while 35 samples were c-ELISA positive and LAMP negative. Of the 11 doubtful results by c-ELISA, LAMP technique confirmed positivity of 4 samples while PCR confirmed 2. These findings show that more false positive results were obtained with c-ELISA while LAMP indicated more sensitivity than both PCR and c-ELISA suggesting that LAMP, when used with clinical and post-mortem signs, is a suitable test for monitoring and surveillance programmes of CBPP in cattle.
Study of some agronomic attributes in milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) ecotypes from Iran.

To study agronomic attributes of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.), an important medicinal plant, twenty-five milk thistle genotypes including twenty-three ecotypes from Iran along two introduced varieties, CN seeds and Budakalaszi, were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance for studied attributes showed large variation among the ecotypes. Means of some ecotypes such as Tatar and Parsabad were the highest for seed yield in comparing to other ecotypes even the introduced breeding varieties. In regard to phenotypic correlations, seed number in capsule, seed weight in capsule and main capsule diameter were the most important milk thistle yield components. Cluster analysis based on studied traits categorized the entries into three distinct clusters. The grouping had some correspondence to the geographical pattern. Key words: Cluster analysis, ecotype, milk thistle, yield components.