Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of dry matter production and partitioning in edible yam Dioscorea spp cultivars 434

Seven yam and (Dioscorea spp.) cultivars belonging to three different species, D. rotundata, D. alata, and D. esculenta were grown in the field. The yield was found to be highest in D. rotundata followed by D. alata and D. esculenta. The rate of dry matter (DM) production (mean crop growth rate) did not show significant association with tuber yield. But partitioning of DM (harvest index) showed significant positive association in D. rotundata (r = 0.9543*), D. alata (r = 0.9376*), and D. esculenta (r = 0.9614*). The regression analysis of partitioning of DM to different plant parts showed significant DM accumulation in vines. The highest partitioning coefficient for tuber growth in D. rotundata (b = 0.6994) cv. Sree Priya suggested better utilization of DM and showed highest tuber yield.
Body development of weaned foals of Mangalarga Marchador breed fed probiotics or phytase supplemented diets

Mangalarga Marchador is the most prevalent horse breed raised in Brazil. Like other light breeds such foals grow quickly during their first year of life (Rezende et al., 2000a,b; Cabral et al., 2004). In tropical climates, in which the rainy season occurs in the summer, many stud farms allow for the adoption of extensive raising systems, which differ from temperate climate studs in which stalls are necessary. In Brazil, a lot of animals are kept on pastures for the most of the year so deterioration of grasses nutritional values has an influence on them. Foal body growth is generally evaluated on the basis of body weight average gain as well as on changes in whither and hip height, body length, chest girth and cannon circumference (Rezende et al., 2000a; Cabral et al., 2004; Pinto et al., 2005; Santos et al., 2005). Maximum height of adult equine is mostly determined genetically, but body development (size ABSTRACT. The aim of the study was to assess the average daily gain (ADG), the growth rate of linear measurements and cortical index changes of the third metacarpus (ICOR) of foals from 173 ± 8 to 363 ± 12 day of life. Sixteen Mangalarga Marchador weaned colts were divided by age and allotted randomly to one of four dietary treatments (n = 4): A – basal diet (Cynodon pasture + 1.2 kg · 100 kg–1 body weight (BW) of concentrate + water and mineral mix ad libitum); B – basal diet + 5 g · day–1 of yeast culture (109 cfu · g–1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc47); C – basal diet + 2 g · day-1 of bacteria (108 cfu · g–1 Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum) and yeast culture (105 cfu · g-1 S. cerevisiae); and D – basal diet + 544 FTU of phytase per kg of concentrate per day. Data was analysed as repeated measures and fixed effects of age, treatment and their interactions accordingly to SAS® procedures. The additives did not affect the ADG or growth rate of linear measurements (P > 0.05); however the effect of age was observed. Furthermore, the ICOR was greater in 273 day-old foals fed diet B, which may suggest an increase in mineral uptake and bone development. So it can be concluded that a 100-day diet supplementation with S. cerevisiae Sc47 may increase bone development of weaned foals, however more studies are necessary to assure the beneficial effect of yeast addition on equine growth rate. Received: 15 September 2014 Revised: 18 November 2015 Accepted: 7 March 2016
The nuclear pore complex : its role in chromatin structure and RNA export

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a relatively new and rapidly developing research field. It studies the mechanisms of regulation of gene expression, which although heritable, occur independently of changes in the DNA sequence and certainly aid to the complexity of the this process and provide fine tuning to it. Now, it is known that many essential processes in plants such as: development, signaling, innate immunity, symbiosis, etc. are epigenetically regulated. However, little is known about the epigenetic regulation of cell’s specialization and differentiation. Here, we postulate the existence of a tissue-specific epigenetic code. This study consists primarily of a forward genetic screen, based on a tissue-specific GFP reporter line- silex, which reports adequately on the epigenetically regulated developmental gene APUM9 in Arabidopsis thaliana (Chapter 2). Of the numerous mutant lines that we recovered in the mutant screen, two epigenetic regulators are presented in this thesis. First, a new allele of the well-known histone deacetylase HDA6 was recovered and it was found that this protein has separable activities in the euchromatin and the heterochromatin (Chapter 2). The second mutant was found to be defective in AtSAC3B, a nuclear pore associated protein, which up until now hasn’t been associated with epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The homologues of AtSAC3B in different model organisms are involved in nuclear-cytoplasmic export of mRNAs. By using different mutant alleles of AtSAC3B for studying the nuclear-cytoplasmic export, the requirement of the protein in the process in plants was validated. The assessment of the transcripts present in the different cell compartments, nucleus and cytoplasm of the mutant, revealed an export bias towards antisense RNAs (asRNAs), suggesting that the selectivity of the export process in plants is dependent on AtSAC3B (Chapter 3). This indicated that AtSAC3B is an important player in the regulation of gene expression through its’ selectivity in the RNA export process. Likewise the nuclear pore complex that is known to influence the chromatin organization, the studies on the chromatin organization and the dynamics of selected histones modifications in atsac3b, revealed the importance of AtSAC3B for the heterochromatin organization in plants (Chapter 4).
A new species in the Peromyscus boylii species group (Cricetidae: Neotominae) from Michoacán, México

Specimens of the Peromyscus boylii species group occurring in the montane regions of Michoacán, México, historically have been assigned to P. levipes. However, previous studies have shown that some specimens from eastern Michoacán possessed mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and karyotypes that were distinct from P. levipes and other members of the P. boylii species group. Phylogenetic analyses (parsimony and likelihood) of additional DNA sequences obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene indicated that specimens from central and eastern Michoacán and western Morelos formed a monophyletic clade that was sister to a clade containing representatives of P. beatae. Estimations of genetic divergence for members of these 2 sister clades exceeded 5% and were greater than most pairwise comparisons reported for other members of the P. boylii species group. Collectively, there are no discernable morphological differences between those specimens and other cryptic species in the P. boylii species group. Together, these results indicated that specimens from the Sierra Madre del Sur region of Michoacán, Morelos, and likely throughout the Neovolcanic Axis of the Estado de México represent an undescribed species of Peromyscus for which we propose the name Peromyscus kilpatricki.
The occurrence of the melioidosis causing bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in bore water in the Northern Territory of Australia

Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, and is an emerging disease and a major health concern in its main areas of endemicity, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Generally, B. pseudomallei is a saprophytic and hydrophilic organism whose survival is enhanced in soil with high moisture content. Its environmental niche is restricted to soil and surface water samples in areas that have high moisture (rainfall) and high temperatures. There is also a strong association between the incidence of melioidosis with monsoonal rainfall and extreme weather events such as cyclones. This treatise examined water parameters and the occurrence of the melioidosis agent, Burkholderia pseudomallei in 47 water bores in northern Australia. B. pseudomallei was isolated using conventional culture methods and was associated with soft, acidic bore water of low salinity but high iron levels. This finding aids in identifying water supplies at risk of contamination with this pathogenic bacterium. Furthermore, this treatise also investigated a number of methods to extract B. pseudomallei DNA from bore water with the DNA subsequently amplified using an assay targeting the Type III Secretion (TTS) System. B. pseudomallei DNA was detected, however the sensitivity resulting from every trialled extraction method was not high. Further investigations of DNA extraction methods are indicated.
Prohexadione-calcium, ethephon, trinexapac-ethyl, and maleic hydrazide reduce extension shoot growth of apple

Abstract: Prohexadione-calcium (P-Ca) is widely used to reduce vegetative growth and labour costs associated with manual pruning. Orchard studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to determine the response of mature ‘Empire’/M.26 apple trees to individual or combined applications of P-Ca, ethephon (ETH), trinexapac-ethyl (TE), and maleic hydrazide (MH). Sprays were repeated three times at approximately 2-wk intervals starting at petal fall. All compounds reduced extension shoot growth, ranging from 40%–73% in 2012 and 26%–57% in 2013, relative to untreated controls. The greatest reduction in growth was achieved with ETH in one year and P-Ca + ETH and MH in another. The tank-mixed combination of P-Ca + ETH improved vegetative control compared with each compound applied alone. MH caused foliar phytotoxicity and damage to the apical meristem, resulting in the stimulation of lateral shoot growth. Reduction in shoot growth from any of the plant bioregulators (PBR) did not reduce dormant pruning times in the spring following application. Total and marketable fruit yield was unaffected by the PBRs, although applications of MH resulted in a significantly higher number of fruit per tree and crop load but a lower mean fruit weight and percent marketable fruit.
The zoeal development of Sesarma eulimene de Man (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae), and identification of larvae of the genus Sesarma in South African waters

The five zoea larval stages of the estuarine crab Sesarma eulimene de Man 1897 (Braehyura, Grapsidae) are descriptionbed in detail from specimens reared in the laboratory. The morphology of larval Grapsidae is briefly discussed and an updated summary of larval diagnostic characters in the genus Sesarma is given as an aid to identifying specimens in plankton samples from South African waters.
Management of Tomato Seedling Rot disease (Rhizoctonia solani ) in Seedbed with Trichoderma harzianum Bio-fungicide

Mass production of Trichoderma harzianum bio-fungicides were done on the substrates rice bran, wheat bran, grass pea bran and their combinations with mustard oilcake (MOC) for the management of seedling rot disease of tomato caused by Rhizoctonia solani in seedbed. Individual and combine use of carrier materials based T. harzianum bio-fungicides were effective in increasing seedling emergence and reducing pre-emergence as well as post-emergence mortality of tomato seedling under R. solani inoculated seedbed condition. Besides, vegetative growth of tomato seedlings viz. shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight were enhanced significantly by the different carrier material based T. harzianum bio-fungicides in R. solani sick seedbed condition. The individual (rice bran, wheat bran, grass pea bran) and combination of substrates (rice bran + wheat bran, rice bran + mustard oilcake, rice bran + wheat bran + MOC and wheat bran + grass pea bran + MOC) were equally suitable for mass production of effective T. harzianum bio-fungicides for the management of seedling rot disease of tomato in seedbed condition. Key word: Trichoderma harzianum, bio-fungicide, Rhizoctonia solani, tomato seedling rot, seedbed.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Francolinus pintadeanus (Galliformes: Phasianidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Francolinus pintadeanus, consisting of 16,693 bp, was determined and analyzed. It displayed as typical genome organization as other Galliformes mitogenomes: 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one control region. The phylogenetic relationships of 25 Phasianidae species and three Odontophoridae species as outgroup using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods based on a concatenated dataset from mitogenomes were analyzed. The results reveal that F. pintadeanus had a close relationship with Gallus gallus gallus/Bambusicola thoracica, then this clade formed a sister group with Pavo muticus/Argusianus argus.
The preliminary study on the optimum moisture content of ultra-dry storage and its related chemicals in seeds from six crop species

Abstract Ultra-dry storage, storing orthodox seeds at ambient temperatures with moisture contents below 5%, can maintain seed viability for long periods with low input. Optimum moisture contents for ultra-dry storage exist and vary substantially among different seed lots due to their differences in desiccation tolerance, which is associated with the accumulation of protective compounds. To study the relationship between moisture contents of ultra-dry stored species, seed composition and the free-radical scavenging activity (FRSA). Eleven seed lots of maize, wheat, pepper, peanut, Chinese cabbage, and cucumber were chosen and multiple stepwise regression analysis was applied. In general, analysis of the seed lots revealed that optimum moisture contents for highest seed viability are below equilibrium moisture at 13% relative humidity and 20°C. Nevertheless, seed composition differed significantly among species. Lipids, flavonoids and the FRSA were significantly negatively correlated with the optimum moisture content of ultra-dry stored whole seeds and accounted for 97.7% of the total variation in the optimum moisture content. Lipids had the highest effect (90.0%) on the optimum moisture content of ultra-dry storage, which is consistent with the previous results. The FRSA and flavonoids accounted for 4.8 and 2.9% of total variation of optimum moisture content of ultra-dry stored whole seeds, respectively. The FRSA and flavonoids were also significantly negatively correlated with the optimum moisture content for non-lipid fraction of ultra-dry stored seeds, and accounted for 74.1 and 15.3% of the total variation in the optimum moisture content, respectively.
First Records of Coccinellid Beetles (Coccinellidae) from the Haridwar, (Uttarakhand), India

A survey of predatory and mycophagous Coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was conducted at four sites, representing four different ecosystems and altitudes ranging between 210 to 305 m within the Haridwar district, India, over a period of two years (July 2005 to June 2007). A total of 3502 adult Coccinellid specimens were collected and identified to 31 species, of which 19 species were recorded for the first time from within the Haridwar. These 19 newly recorded species belonged to 16 genera of four tribes and three subfamilies. The following 16 species belonged to the sub family Coccinellinae and tribe Coccinellini: Adalia decempunctata (Linnaeus), Anegleis cardoni (Weise), Cheilomenes sexmaculata rufafasciata (Fabricius), Coelophora 9-maculata (Mulsant), Coelophora ramosa (Olivier), Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Hippodamia sp. , Illeis cincta (Fabricius), Megalocaria dilatata (Fabricius), Micraspis discolor (Fabricius), Micraspis vincta (Fabricius), Phrynocaria sp. , Propylea dissecta (Mulsant), Halyzia sanscrita (Mulsant) and Psyllobora bisoctonata (Mulsant). Two species occurred occurred in the subfamily Chilocorinae and tribe Chilocirini: Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius) and Chilocorus nigrita (Fabricius) and only one species Rodolia sexnotata (Mulsant) represented the Noviini tribe of the subfamily Coccidulinae.
Effect of Chemical Treatments on Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) Suppression

Field studies were conducted at Charleston, SC to evaluate the effects of six chemical treatments on bahiagrass and the potential of these treatments to reduce mowing operations. Sulfometuron, maleic hydrazide, and imazethapyr plus imazapyr, in decreasing order of effectiveness, were the most consistent treatments evaluated during the 2-yr study. Sulfometuron reduced bahiagrass vegetative height (23%) for 6 to 8 WAT and suppressed 87 to 92% of seedheads without adversely affecting turf quality. All treatments temporarily discolored turf; however, effects were not objectionable for medium- to low-quality turf settings. Sulfometuron, maleic hydrazide, and imazethapyr plus imazapyr controlled growth and maintained acceptable turf quality for an average of 9, 9, and 8 wk, respectively; thereby reducing mowing operations by an average 29%. Mefluidide plus fluazifop-P, mefluidide plus sulfometuron, and chlorosulfuron were the least effective and/or consistent treatments evaluated.
Some aspects of regulation of luteal function and luteolysis in equine corpora lutea

In the mare, like in other mammalian species, soon after ovulation, a complex process of luteinization leads to corpus luteum (CL) formation in response to luteotropins. The CL is a transient endocrine gland that evolves from the luteinization of the remnants of the ovulated follicle, namely the theca and the granulosa cells (Ginther 1992). The luteinizing process is necessary for the production of progesterone (P4) (Murphy 2000). The physiologic mechanisms that regulate luteal function in the mare are rather complex and not very well understood. Maternal functions of the ovarian luteal structure can be ascribed to its importance on the synthesis of P4 that enables the establishment and maintenance of early gestation in this species.
Assessment of Different Remote Sensing Data for Forest Structural Attributes Estimation in the Hyrcanian forests

Aim of study: The objective of the study was the comparative assessment of various spatial resolutions of optical satellite imagery including Landsat-TM, ASTER, and Quickbird data to estimate the forest structure attributes of Hyrcanian forests, Golestan province, northernIran. Material and methods : The 112 square plots with area of0.09 ha were measured using a random cluster sampling method and then stand volume, basal area, and tree stem density were computed using measured data. After geometric and atmospheric corrections of images, the spectral attributes from original and different synthetic bands were extracted for modelling. The statistical modelling was performed using CART algorithm. Performance assessment of models was examined using the unused validation plots by RMSE and bias measures. Main Results: The results showed that model of Quickbird data for stand volume, basal area, and tree stem density had a better performance compared to ASTER and TM data. However, estimations by ASTER and TM imagery had slightly similar results for all three parameters. Research highlights : This study exposed that the high-resolution satellite data are more useful for forest structure attributes estimation in the Hyrcanian broadleaves forests compared with medium resolution images without consideration of images costs. However, regarding to be free of the most medium resolution data such as ASTER and TM,ETM+ or OLI images, these data can be used with slightly similar results. Keywords : Forest structure attributes; quickbird; ASTER; TM; CART algorithm; Hyrcanian forests.
The Effect of Colchicine on Meiosis in Aloinae

Since BLAKESLEE and AVERY (1937) discovered the action of colchicine as a polyploidizing agent many polyploids have been induced by this agent ill various plants, while the cytological effects of colchicine in plants have been studied by several investigators of both mitosis (cf. BRUES and JACKSON 1937, BEAMS and KING 1938, DERMEN 1938, EIGSTT 1938a, b, KOSTOFF 1938a, LEVEN 1938, NEBEL and RUTTLE 1938, WARKER 1938b, SUITA 1939) and meiosis (cf. DERMEN 1938, WARK ER 1938a, LEVEN 1939) . The meiosis in induced polyploids was studied in Petunia (NIsHIYAMA 1938), Amaranthus (KIIIARA and KISIIIMOTO 1938) and Melandrium (WESTERGAARD 1938), etc., but these observations were concerned with phenomena other than the cytological effect of colchicine. KOSTOFF (1938a, b) reported that acenaphthene had the same effect on mitosis and meiosis as colchicine and succeeded in inducing the development of polyploid plants (cf. SIIMUCK 1938, NAVASHIN 1938), though NEBEL (1938) after repeated tests, questioned K0sT0FF's results. Research workers in our laboratory have been collaborating on a study of the effect of colchicine, acenaphthene and other chemicals and the effect of acenaphthene and other agents on mitosis (cf. SUITA and SOYANO 1938, SOYANO 1939) has already been partly reported. The present writer has been making a comparative study of the effects of colchicine and acenaphthene on meiosis (cf. SATO 1939) and in this paper deals with the cytological effect of colchicine on meiosis in Aloinae.
A threatened new species of Oligosarcus and its phylogenetic relationships, with comments on Astyanacinus (Teleostei: Characidae)

Oligosarcus itau n. sp. is described. This species is the sister group of the remaining analyzed species of Oligosarcus and this relationship is supported by seven morphological synapomorphies: 1) well developed temporal fossa, 2) absence of a dorsal expansion on the rhinosphenoid, 3) posteroventrally angled articulation between second and third infraorbitals, 4) presence of ectopterygoid teeth on a row, 5) laterally displaced cartilage on the ectopterygoid, 6) presence of bony lamellae bordering laterosensory canal of suprapreopercle, and 7) presence of two pairs of uroneurals. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: 1) two distinct premaxillary rows of teeth, 2) tricuspidate and pentacuspidate teeth on dentary and posterior premaxillary row, 3) presence of a row of 3–4 tricuspidate to conical ectopterygoid teeth, 4) possession of v-vi,21–23 anal-fin rays, and 5) presence of 41–42 perforated scales on lateral line. Oligosarcus itau n. sp. was previously considered as an Astyanacinus. Astyanacinus moorii (Boulenger), type species of the genus, is included in the Astyanax clade and Astyanacinus platensis Messner is transferred to Oligosarcus.
Experimentally induced respiratory syncytial viral infection in lambs.

: Signs of clinical illness, lesions, and seroconversion were observed in lambs experimentally inoculated with a respiratory syncytial virus of bovine origin. Signs of clinical illness were mild and consisted of fever and hyperpnea. Multifocal areas of interstitial pneumonia were seen in lambs necropsied during the period of clinical response. All lambs seroconverted to viral antigen, and the virus was isolated from two of the lambs.
Lesions of ovine progressive pneumonia: interstitial pneumonitis and encephalitis.

: Lesions in sheep with ovine progressive pneumonia are described. Lungs were mottled grayish-pink, firm, and large (two to three times normal weight). There was chronic diffuse interstitial pneumonitis characterized by extensive hyperplasia of lymphoid cells around airways and blood vessels and by accumulation of mononuclear cells in the interstitium. In some lungs, this reaction was accompanied by excessive fibrous tissue and smooth muscle and less frequently by hyperplastic epithelium of terminal bronchioles and alveoli. Secondary bronchopneumonia was common. Lymphocytic meningitis, choroiditis, and leukoencephalitis were seen in a few sheep. Meninges and choroid plexuses were infiltrated with lymphoid cells, and subependymal blood vessels were cuffed with lymphoid cells. Much subependymal white matter was demyelinated and had foci of necrosis and gliosis.