Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiulcer Activity of Morinda Citrifolia Linn Fruit Extract

The study was designed to investigate the antiulcer activity of ethyl acetate extract of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia Linn (Rubiaceae) using different models of gastric and duodenal ulceration in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of ethanol, aspirin and by pyloric ligation and duodenal ulcers were induced by oral administration of cysteamine HCl. The extract was administered at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg orally 30 min prior to ulcer induction. Ranitidine (50 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard. The antiulcer activity was accessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test group with that of the standard drug treated group. Gastric volume, total acid and free acid were estimated in the pylorus-ligated rats. M.citrifolia (400mg/kg) showed maximum inhibition of gastric acid, free acid and total acid to 53.54%, 52.55% and 30.30%, respectively. The ulcer index in the M.citrifolia treated animals was found to be significantly less in all the models compared to standard drug treated cases. The antiulcer activity of M.citrifolia was, however, less than that of ranitidine. The results suggest that M.citrifolia possesses significant antiulcer property which could be due to cytoprotective action of the drug or strengthening of gastric and duodenal mucosa with the enhancement of mucosal defence. Keywords: Morinda citrifolia; Antiulcer. © 2009 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v1i2. 1625
Genetic variability studies in Gerbera

Five genotypes of gerbera were evaluated to determine genetic variability,heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain for eleven contributing characters. Significantvariations were recorded for the various characters studied. Phenotypic and genotypiccoefficients of variation were highest for number of flowers per plant and leaf area index,indicating presence of sufficient genetic variability for selection in these traits. Highheritability and high genetic advance for number of leaves per plant and number of flowersper plant indicated the presence of additive gene effects in these traits and their amicabilityfor direct selection. The non additive gene effects were evident in number of suckers perplant, flower dry weight and flower stalk diameter thus warranting use of heterosis breedingfor these characters. The selection on the basis of number of flowers per plant will be moreeffective for further breeding programme.
Ecological and genetic evidence for cryptic ecotypes in a rare sexually deceptive orchid, Drakaea elastica

M.H. M.M. was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award. This research was funded by grants from Main Roads Western Australia,the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment(awarded to M.H.M.M.), the School of Plant Biology at the University of Western Australia (awarded to M.H.M.M.) and an ARC linkage project awarded to R.P. and K.W. D. (LP0989338).
Discriminating the occurrence of pitch canker fungus in Pinus radiata trees using QuickBird imagery and artificial neural networks

Pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium circinatum, present a serious threat to Pinus radiata plantations. The effective management of infected trees is thus paramount. Coupled with advanced techniques, high spatial resolution remote sensing data provides the necessary tools to effectively identify and map infected trees. This paper explores the utility of transformed high spatial resolution QuickBird imagery and artificial neural networks for the detection and mapping of pitch canker disease. Individual tree crowns were delineated using an automated segmentation and classification approach within an object-based image analysis environment. Subsequently, several vegetation indices including the tasseled cap transformation were calculated and incorporated into a neural network model. The feed-forward neural network showed high discriminatory power with an overall accuracy of 82.15% and KHAT of 0.65. The results of this study show great potential for the future application of crown-level mapping of the pitch canker disease at a landscape scale.
Food availability modulates the effects of maternal antibodies on growth and immunity in young feral pigeons

It is now widely acknowledged that mothers can transfer their own immune experience to their progeny through the allocation of specific maternal antibodies (hereafter referred as MatAb) that can shape offspring phenotype and affect their fitness. However, the importance of environmental variability in modulating the effects of MatAb on offspring traits is still elusive. Using an experimental approach, we investigated how food availability interacted with MatAb to solve the trade-off between humoral immunity and growth in young feral pigeons Columba livia. Results show that the inhibitory effect of MatAb on the humoral response of chicks was detected regardless of the food treatment. In addition, body mass growth was higher in chicks receiving lower amounts of maternal antibodies but only in chicks of the ad libitum food treatment. This contradicts previous studies and suggests that the transfer of MatAb could entail some costs for chicks and reduce their growth. Taken together these results reinforce the idea that the maternal antibodies play a central role in shaping offspring life-history traits but that their adaptive value is highly dependent on the environmental context in which they are transmitted by the mother.
Effect of Establishment Method, Variety , and Seeding Rate on the Production and Quality of Alfalfa Under Dryland and Irrigation1

Establishment of alfalfa (Medlcago sativa L.) with small grain companion crop is not always satisfactory. This study was designed to compare alternative establishment methods and determine the influence of alfalfa varieties and seeding rates on dry matter and crude protein production and herbage quality. The relationship between alfalfa plant density and root+crown weight and their effect on forage yield were evaluated. Pure stands of alfalfa were established by four methods: 1) no herbicide or companion crop (check); 2) a plant herbicide, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC); 3) a companion crop of oats (Arena sativa L.) harvested for forage; and 4) a companion crop of oats harvested for grain. Three alfalfa varieties were evaluated: T3X-8 hybrid, ‘Saranac,’ and ‘Vernal. ’ Four alfalfa seeding rates were compared: 4.5, 9.0, 13.5, and 17.9 kg/ha of purelive-seed (PLS). Studies were conducted at three locations in South Dakota. Experiments at Gayville and Norbeck were under dryland conditions and at Brookings under irrigation. Alfalfa established with oats harvested for forage yielded the most weed-free forage dry matter during the seeding year. This was followed in descending order by the yields of alfalfa established with EPTC, the check, and oats harvested for grain. Herbage crude protein yields were similar during the seeding year regardless of establishment method, except for the oat grain treatment which was lower. Second-year alfalfa dry matter and protein production were not affected by establishment method. Dry matter yields were higher for Saranac and T3X-8 hybrid alfalfa than for Vernal when moisture was optimum and winter injury did not occur. Under dryland, there were no differences in yield among the three varieties. T3X-8 was generally lowest in crude protein content; Vernal was highest in protein late in the season. With irrigation, higher dry matter and crude protein yields were obtained during the seeding year at each increase in seeding rate. Under dryland, no differences in yield were noted above the 13.5 kg/ha rate during the seeding year. Second-year alfalfa yield~ increased at seeding rates up to 9.0 kg/ha of PLS at Gayville and Brookings, and up to 13.5 kg/ha at Norbeck. Generally, herbage crude protein content was not affected by seeding rate. Root+crown weights of alfalfa decreased as seeding rates increased up to 13.5 kg/ha.
Gonadal and Extragonadal Sperm Reserves of Rabbit Bucks Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma Brucei in Zaria, Nigeria

Gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of 20 adult male rabbits (bucks) were determined following an experimental infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei over a 12 weeks study period. Ten rabbit bucks were infected with 1 ml of the parasites containing 1 X 106 trypanosomes, while the other 10 bucks served as control post infection. At the end of the experiment, two bucks from each of the groups were sacrificed and their testes were harvested for the determination of gonadal and epididymal spermatozoa reserves using a haemocytometer. The mean gonadal spermatozoa reserves of the control and the infected rabbit bucks were 247.6 ± 65.13 X106/g testis and 173.1 ± 26.88 X106/g testis respectively. The mean epididymal spermatozoa reserves of the control and the infected rabbit bucks were 108.2 ±38.22 X106/g and 19.25± 13.41 X106/g, respectively. The mean (±SEM) of the caput, corpus and cauda of the control rabbit bucks were 106.9±10.63 X106/g, 7.63±2.63 and 175.00±26.50 respectively, while the mean (±SEM) for the infected rabbit bucks were 46.00±7.25, 4.13±0.38 and 42.63±37.13 X106/g respectively.
A Survey of Selected Avian Pathogens of Backyard Poultry in Northwestern Ecuador

Abstract As part of a larger ecologic research project and to collect disease prevalence information on backyard chicken flocks in northwestern Ecuador, 100 randomly selected birds from 10 flocks were examined, and blood, fecal, and ectoparasite samples were collected. The owners of the flocks were surveyed regarding flock management and disease history. Mean flock size was 20 birds (range, 1–75), and birds were kept for eggs and meat for either domestic consumption or local sale. Vaccination rates were low, with most owners (8 of 10) not vaccinating at all and some (2 of 10) vaccinating with one product either sporadically (1 of 10) or annually (1 of 10). None of the owners treated their chickens for parasites. Mortality rates of offspring were reported as high as 50% (range, 35%–50%) per flock. Deaths were associated with diseases described by owners as causing neurologic signs, sudden death, or respiratory problems. In addition, owners described epizootics of wartlike seasonal skin lesions, presumably but not confirmed as avian pox. Results of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays on serum samples showed that birds had antibodies against infectious bursal disease virus (100%), Newcastle disease virus (97%), avian encephalomyelitis virus (92%), chicken anemia virus (90%), infectious bronchitis virus (85%), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (73%), and Mycoplasma synoviae (68%). Although 11% of birds showed the presence of antibodies for avian influenza, antibody levels were low in all but 4 birds. Most birds (90%) had feather mite infestations. Results of necropsy and fecal examinations found low levels of internal parasitism, with cestodes and ascarids identified as the most prevalent endoparasites. Ectoparasites identified were Dermanyssus gallinae and Ornithonyssus bursa. The poultry diseases to which sampled chickens had been exposed are likely the cause of the high mortality rate reported by flock owners. In these backyard poultry flocks in Ecuador, preventive medicine protocols that provide realistic cost-benefit advantages should be implemented. Because wild birds are susceptible to some poultry diseases, free-roaming chickens might be potential vectors of pathogens that could affect wild birds.
Sorghum silage production system in Cariri, Paraíba

The objective of this study was to characterize the sorghum farming and ensiling systems in the Cariri region of Paraiba State (Brazil), and to identify different groups of producers based on productive characteristics using frequency distributions, and principal component and cluster analyses. A total of 100 milk producers in the Caturite and Boqueirao municipalities in the dairy region of Cariri, Paraiba, were selected to fill out a questionnaire comprised of 32 questions to collect data on both qualitative and quantitative variables. Of the 100 properties studied, 88% cultivated sorghum as silage forage for feeding dairy cows, demonstrating the importance of this cultural practice in the region of Cariri. Statistical analyses based on the variables studied identified four groups, composed of 35, 8, 6, and 39 farmers. The sorghum cultivation and ensiling production system in Cariri can be improved through the evaluation and improvement of soil fertility to obtain higher forage production, application of weed control using herbicides, and implementation of mechanized planting and harvesting to improve efficiency and reduce costs associated with manpower.
Interactions of Glyphosate with Residual Herbicides in No-Till Soybean (Glycine max) Production1

Abstract: Glyphosate is often mixed with residual herbicides to control emerged weeds in no-till crop production systems. Field studies were conducted in Ohio from 1992 to 1994 to evaluate the weed control provided by residual herbicides and reduced rates of glyphosate in full-season, no-till soybean. Herbicide treatments were applied at two timings to examine the effect of weed size. At 4 wk after treatment, greater than 85% Pennsylvania smartweed control was obtained with metribuzin plus chlorimuron and linuron plus chlorimuron applied with 280 g ai/ha glyphosate and with imazethapyr and imazaquin applied with 560 g/ha glyphosate. All residual herbicides provided at least 85% common lambsquarters control when applied with 560 g/ha glyphosate. In 1992, the early application of residual herbicides provided this level of common lambsquarters control without glyphosate due to the small weed size at the time of application. Residual herbicides applied with 280 g/ha glyphosate controlled giant foxtail 85% or greater. Higher glyphosate rates were needed to control barnyardgrass. The performance of reduced glyphosate rates was dependent on weed species and weed size. Nomenclature: Chlorimuron; glyphosate; imazaquin; imazethapyr; linuron; metribuzin; barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. #3 ECHCG; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. # CHEAL; giant foxtail, Setaria faberi Herrm. # SETFA; Pennsylvania smartweed, Polygonum pensylvanicum L. # POLPY; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. Additional index words: Tank mixtures, CHEAL, ECHCG, POLPY, SETFA. Abbreviations: WAT, weeks after treatment.
Effects of maternal nutrient restriction during early or mid-gestation on bovine fetal growth, placentomes, and miRNA expression

Primiparous Angus-cross cows (n = 38) were synchronized using a CoSynch+CIDR protocol and inseminated with semen from one of two Angus sires. Animals were fed at 1.3 x (Control [CON]) or 0.55 x (Nutrient Restricted [NR]) of maintenance energy and protein requirements based on BW (NRC 2000). Diets were fed at either 1.3 x (Control [CON]) or 0.55 x (Nutrient restricted [NR]) of maintenance energy and crude protein values based on BW (NRC 1996). A subset of animals (n = 16) was fed either NR (n = 8) or C (n = 8) from d 30-110 of gestation. The remaining animals (n = 22) were fed CON (n = 8) d 30-190; NR (n = 7) d 30-110 followed by CON d 110190; or CON (n = 7) d 30-110 followed by NR d 110-190. Cows were slaughtered on d 110 or d 190 of gestation, when fetal measurements and samples were taken for analysis. Fetal weights and empty fetal weights were also reduced (P = 0.0027, P = 0.0023, respectively) in d 110 NR animals. Fetal weights tended to be reduced (P = 0.07) in NR/CON and CON/NR versus CON/CON cattle. Empty fetal weights were reduced (P = 0.03) in NR/CON and CON/NR versus CON/CON cattle. Abdominal and thoracic circumferences were reduced (P = 0.0265, P = 0.0002, respectively) in d 110 NR animals and were also reduced (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) in NR/CON and CON/NR versus CON/CON cattle. Brain weight as a percent of empty fetal weight (P < 0.01) was increased in d 110 NR animals compared with d 110 CON animals. Brain weight as a
FACTORS AFFECTING STILLBIRTH AND EFFECTS OF STILLBIRTH ON SUBSEQUENT LACTATION PERFORMANCE IN A HOLSTEIN DAIRY HERD IN ISFAHAN

Summary The purposes of this study were to estimate the effects of risk factors on stillbirth parturition and evaluate the effects of stillbirth on lactation performance in Holstein dairy cows. Data were obtained from a dairy cattle herd located in Isfahan province, Iran. The logit of the probability of stillbirth was modeled using logistic regression and the effect of stillbirth on lactation performance was analyzed through mixed linear model using 12283 lactation records on 5201 cows. The results showed that 6% of the calves born die within 48 h of birth. The results of logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the frequency of stillbirth is significantly influenced (P<0.05) by calving year, parity number and calving difficulty. The stillbirth frequency was found to be significantly higher for first parity cows, (P<0.05). Also, calving difficulty was shown to be significantly associated with increased risk of stillbirth (P<0.05). Mixed linear model analysis results demonstrated that stillbirth significantly reduced milk and fat yield (P<0.05), but had no significant impact on milk fat percentage (P≥0.05). The 305-d milk and fat yields for cows with stillbirth were estimated to be 8274.17 ± 100.79 and 245.60 ± 3.7 kg compared to 8865.60 ± 88.16 and 259.36 ± 3.2 kg for cows that had a live calf, respectively.
Whole-body protein metabolism and plasma profiles of amino acids and hormones in growing barrows fed diets adequate or deficient in lysine

Eighteen growing barrows (body weight: 26.6 ± 1.4 kg) were assigned (day 0) to one of three levels of dietary lysine: to be deficient (0.45%; L1), to achieve (0.75%; L2), or to exceed (0.98%; L3) National Research Council (NRC) (1988) lysine requirements (as-fed basis), according to a completely randomized block design. Nitrogen balance was measured over a 6-d period (days 10 to 16). On day 16, pigs were moved into respiratory chambers and received a 6-h continuous i.v. infusion of NaH13CO3 (1.66 µmol h−1 kg−1, preceded by a priming dose of 2.35 µmol kg−1) on day 17. The following day, pigs received an i.v. infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine (11.07 µmol h−1 kg−1, preceded by a priming dose of 11.07 µmol kg−1). Average daily gain and nitrogen retention increased (P 0.10) between diets. In consequence,.
T4-type bacteriophage communities estimated from the major capsid genes (g23) in manganese nodules in Japanese paddy fields

Abstract The present study compared the capsid gene (g23) of T4-type bacteriophages (phages) in Mn nodules with those in the plow layer soil and subsoils of two Japanese paddy fields by applying the primers MZIA1bis and MZIA6 to DNA extracts from the nodules and soils. The deduced amino acid sequences of the g23 genes in the Mn nodules were similar to those in the plow layer soil and in the subsoils. This result indicated that similar T4-type phage communities developed at these sites and that the diversity of T4-type phage communities was wide enough to cover those in the plow layer soil and in the subsoils. The majority of g23 clones formed several clusters with the clones and phages obtained from far-apart paddy fields, and the sequences of two clones were completely identical to a phage and a clone from other paddy fields at the nucleotide or amino acid level, indicating horizontal transfer of g23 genes between those paddy fields. A clone with a long nucleotide residue (686 bp) and a distribution remote from the other clones in the phylogenetic tree indicated that there were many uncharacterized, novel g23 genes in the paddy fields.
Occurrence of blooms of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya and Subba Raju in a north Queensland domestic water supply

This paper describes seasonally recurring blooms of the potentially toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in relation to some limnological characteristics of Lake Julius, a large man-made water impoundment in Australia’s semi-arid tropics. These blooms have occurred each year since 1991, with subsurface concentrations of >50 000 cells mL–1. Periods of greater cyanobacterial abundance are characterized by reduced rates of vertical mixing of the water column, reduced mixed:euphotic depth ratios and high epilimnetic temperatures (>25˚C). Surface scums were not observed and, in general, this species displays a fairly uniform distribution throughout the euphotic zone and below. An isolate of C. raciborskii taken from Lake Julius during a bloom in November 1995 and grown in pure culture produced no symptoms of poisoning when tested by mouse bioassay, and absence of detectable concentrations of the hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin was confirmed by HPLC/MS-MS. Low concentrations of cylindrospermopsin (~1–2 g L–1) were detected in the lake during blooms of C. raciborskii.
Chemical hydrolysis of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(alkylamino)-1,3,5-triazine herbicides and their breakdown in soil under the influence of adsorption†

The determination of rate constants and the calculation of the activation parameters [activation energy (Ea), free energy of activation(ΔG≠)and entropy of activation (ΔS≠)] demonstrated the identity of the reaction kinetics of chemical hydrolysis of the chlorinated triazine herbicides simazine, atrazine, propazine and terbuthylazine. Persistence in soil could be estimated, from the hydrolytic half-life time, only in pH regions where these compounds were also sensitive to chemical hydrolysis. In general, the rate of hydrolysis increased in the presence of soil as the result of a catalysing effect of the soil in their breakdown. When half-lives in soil of these triazine herbicides were compared with adsorption constants, a functional relationship was observed in both soil types; as adsorption increased the half-life in soil also increased.
Quantifying the effects of climate change and water abstraction on a population of barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a diadromous estuarine finfish

Many aquatic species are linked to environmental drivers such as temperature and salinity through processes such as spawning, recruitment and growth. Information is needed on how fished species may respond to altered environmental drivers under climate change so that adaptive management strategies can be developed. Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a highly prized species of the Indo-West Pacific, whose recruitment and growth is driven by river discharge. We developed a monthly age- and length-structured population model for barramundi. Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulations were used to explore the population’s response to altered river discharges under modelled total licenced water abstraction and projected climate change, derived and downscaled from Global Climate Model A1FI. Mean values of exploitable biomass, annual catch, maximum sustainable yield and spawning stock size were significantly reduced under scenarios where river discharge was reduced; despite including uncertainty. These results suggest that the upstream use of water resources and climate change have potential to significantly reduce downstream barramundi stock sizes and harvests and may undermine the inherent resilience of estuarine-dependent fisheries.