Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deposition rates of canthaxanthin in egg yolks

In commercial layers' diets canthaxanthin is used as red carotenoid to achieve the desired yolk colouration. Normally 4 to 8 mg canthaxanthin per kg diet are supplemented. Meanwhile, data from recent experiments indicate that high intakes of canthaxanthin with food may result in the deposition of colour crystals in the retina of experimental animals and humans. In 1997 the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) decided to fix the accepted daily intake level (ADI) of canthaxanthin to 0.03 mg/kg body weight in humans. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were set to determine the colouring efficiency, the deposition rate, and the content of canthaxanthin in egg yolks including also high supplementation levels of canthaxanthin in layers' diets. Yolk colour measured by a*-values and Roche Yolk Colour Fan (RYCF) values increased with increasing supplementation levels of canthaxanthin to diets. The relation between dietary canthaxanthin and a*-values fitted to a quadratic regression equation, whereas, the relation between dietary canthaxanthin and RYCF-values fitted to a logarithmic equation. The relation between dietary canthaxanthin and canthaxanthin in egg yolks was strictly linear. In the present experiment 1 mg canthaxanthin per kg diet resulted in 2.5 mg canthaxanthin per kg egg yolk. Deposition rate of canthaxanthin was 40% independently of dietary supplementation level. The absolute deposition of canthaxanthin in yolks increased from 0.026 to 2.5 mg per egg when supplementing 0.5 to 64 mg canthaxanthin per kg diet, respectively. Based on a fixed ADI of 0.03 mg/kg body weight and on an average body mass of 60 kg an adult human being would be allowed to consume daily up to 11 eggs with a RYCF of 13 (produced by the use of canthaxanthin).
Modelling leukemia in the mouse: novel strategies in genome engineering

The work of this thesis presents novel genome engineering strategies for assembling complex targeting vectors for functional studies in the mouse. With the objective of establishing a conditional mouse model of the human acute leukemia associated with the t(4;ll)(q21;q23) translocation, an approach based on the Cre-loxP technology was chosen, and two mouse lines and one ES cell line were engineered starting from BACs. For the Af4 mouse line, a combinatorial mutant allele was designed, which supports Cre-driven interchromosomal translocation, can result in a knock-out or hypomorphic allele (also amenable to conditional gene repair strategies) and can report endogenous expression of the gene through |3-galactosidase staining. The work utilised several variations of the ET cloning methodology and served to establish their feasibility for BAG engineering as a novel approach to the generation of complex mouse knock-in/knock-out targeting vectors. Particularly noteworthy was the application of ET technology to the direct subcloning of very large BAG fragments. The Mll targeting construct constitutes the first example of a BAG based, very large knock-in vector (about 70 kb) which was successfully used to target the endogenous Mll locus by homologous recombination in mouse ES cells. The construct was engineered via ET recombination approaches. The major novelty consists in the targeting design which can simultaneously mutate two sites of the gene located very far from each other. Combined with the power of site specific recombinases (SSRs) technology, this opens the way to establishing complex, versatile mouse lines with only one round of ES cell targeting. For the second mouse line, a BAG transgenesis approach was chosen to place Cre recombinase under the control of the Ikaros gene, in a new configuration which can yield either constitutive or regulated Cre activity. Several BAG modifications were applied, and the usefulness of Tnpl recombinase in BAG engineering was established.
Factors affecting first lactation milk yield traits in jersey cows

First lactation milk production records on 1172 Jersey cows maintained from 1974 to 1995 at 4 institutional cattle breeding farms in sub-temperate mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh were analyzed to study to effect of various non-genetic factors viz. farm, year and season of calving on part and complete first lactation milk production traits. The traits included part lactation milk yield upto 90, 150 and 305 days, first lactation milk yield, lactation length (LL) and dry period (DP). The sire-effect was highly significant for all the traits under study. All the non-genetic effects considered in the study, significantly affected the milk production traits along with significant linear regression of traits on age at first calving. The LL and DP were Significantly influenced by the farm effect only. The quadratic regressions of all the traits studied on age at first calving were observed to be nonsignificant in the present study except DP which was highly significant.
Study of yeast flora from fruit of Syzygium cumini (linn) skeel

On the basis of morphological and biochemical characteristics five (5) genera and six (6) species of yeast from fruit surface of Jamun (Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeel ; Family-Myrtaceae ) from different zones of 24- Parganas(N) districts of West Bengal ,India were isolated and identified . The identified yeasts were Candida famata , Candida ipomoeae ,Candida succiphila, Rhodototula mucilaginosa , ,Debaryamyces hansensii, Kodamaea anthophila and,Pichia lachancei,. There is no report of isolation of these yeast from this fruit from India till now . Therefore ,this fruit is good habitat for these speces of yeasts.
Nuclear Fusion during Early Stage of Microspore Embryogenesis Indicates Chromosome Doubling in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Studies of barley and maize indicate that chromosome doubling occurs via nuclear fusion during an early stage of microspore embryogenesis, but the time and mechanism by which chromosome doubling occurs in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative time during induction culture when chromosome doubling may occur in wheat, and to identify early indicators for doubled haploid microspores. Microspore nuclei were stained with 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and observed under a fluorescent microscope on the day of isolation, three days after isolation, and six days after isolation. The change in the percentage of microspores containing a single small nucleus, two small nuclei, a single enlarged nucleus, and three or more nuclei was then tracked throughout the six-day period. Ploidy levels were estimated by determining the cross-sectional area and number of nucleoli in microspores containing small and large nuclei then comparing the results of each respective cell-type. The percentage of microspores containing enlarged nuclei increased throughout the six-day test period, and the percentage of binucleated microspores containing small nuclei decreased. Comparison of the changes in average percentage of microspores containing a single small nucleus, binucleated microspores, microspores containing a single large nucleus, and multinucleate microspores on days 0, 3, and 6 indicates that nuclei classified as “small” are likely haploids and nuclei classified as “large” are doubled haploids. The percentage of microspores with enlarged nucleus (nuclei) during the first six days of induction culture could be used as an early indicator for the frequency of chromosome doubling in wheat microspore culture.
Influence of Broiler Livehaul on Carcass Quality and Further-Processing Yields

Abstract The loss in body weight with the transportation of broilers from live production to slaughter has always influence final product yield and quality. This study explored the extent of that influence. Both sexes of two diverse broiler strain-crosses, reared on common feed to 39 and 53 days of age, had feed withdrawn from each group for four hours followed by cooping. Birds were then either held stationary or transported for six hours with a four-hour preslaughter rest. After “on-line” processing, carcasses were cone deboned at either four or twenty-four hours post-chill. This study found that birds lost more weight when transported than if kept stationary. This live weight differential was maintained through post-chill with the whole carcass and all cuts from deboning. Moisture uptake with chilling and subsequent losses from weepage and cutting were unaffected by livehaul. Carcass bruising was more extensive when birds had been kept stationary than if transported. Responses to livehaul were similar for each strain, with both sexes, and at both light and heavy weights.
SEED CHARACTERS AND TESTA TEXTURE IN SPECIES OF THE VICIEAE: THEIR TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

ABSTRACT Over 90 species (99 taxa) of the four principle genera of the Vicieae from the Near East were subjected to morphological and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses. The species were grouped in 26 clusters according to their testa patterns. A key based on seed characteristics has been constructed, to be used by botanists and archeologists. It includes most species of Israel and its environs, several of which are either cultivated taxa or their ancestors. The testa patterns can be used as specific taxonomic criteria in certain cases, but only a few associations between the seed-character groups and the systematic entities have been found. Among the genera, Lathyrusseems to be the most diverse in seed coat patterns.
Seasonal Reproductive Cycle of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the Eastern Mojave Desert

The seasonal reproductive cycles of male and female desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) were studied under semi-natural conditions. Tortoises were maintained in outdoor pens subject to ambient weather conditions and received supplemental food and water. Heparinized blood samples were collected monthly using jugular puncture. Ovarian follicular growth and egg development were monitored using ultrasonography. Mating was observed in the fall (following nesting) and the spring (prior to nesting). Vitellogenesis occurred during the fall prior to hibernation. Nesting was observed from May-early July with females producing one or two clutches. Clutches ranged from 2-7 eggs. Both males and females displayed seasonal testosterone cycles.
Elevational distribution and species diversity of freshwater Ostracoda (Crustacea) in Çankırı region (Turkey)

We investigated how the richness and ecological characteristics of non-marine ostracod species varied across nine 100-m elevation bands (from 549 to 1457 m) in the Çankırı region. We collected a total of 37 taxa (25 living and 12 sub-recent) from 114 of 130 aquatic sites sampled during September of 2011; 34 of the taxa were new records for the region. Eight widely distributed ‘cosmopolitan’ species (Candona neglecta, Cypridopsis vidua, Heterocypris incongruens, Ilyocypris bradyi, Limnocythere inopinata, Potamocypris villosa, Prionocypris zenkeri, and Psychrodromus olivaceus) were found more frequently than other species. The first two axes of canonical correspondence analyses (CCA) explained 73.2% of the correlation between 11 species and 5 environmental variables. Of which, electrical conductivity (F = 3.99, p = 0.028) and altitude (F = 2.69, p = 0.004) were the most explanatory (p < 0.05) variables for species. Optimum altitude and water temperature values of the cosmopolitan species were relatively higher than the other species. Significant regression models (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.81) indicate that the frequency of occurrence was affected by changes in numbers of samplings sites from 549 to 1457 m. When highest numbers of species (15 spp.) were found at the range of 1231–1332 m, numbers of asexual species (10 spp.) were twice of the sexual species (5 spp.) with no statistical difference between numbers of swimming (7 spp.) and non-swimming (8 spp.) species. Results were discussed based on the ecological conditions that individual species prefer.
The Effect of Different Levels of Canola Oil on Performance, Egg Shell Quality and Fatty Acid Composition of Laying Hens

The effects of different levels of canola oil (0.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0%) on the performance, egg shell quality and fatty acid composition of laying hens were investigated in the present study. A total of 96 chickens consisting of 24 chickens in each group were used in the four groups. Feed and water were offered as ad libitum. Egg production was recorded daily, while feed intake was recorded weekly. Egg quality criteria were determined in 12 eggs from each group. The egg yolk fatty acid profile was determined with gas chromatography. The use of increasing levels of canola oil decreased egg production, egg weight and daily feed intake (in group including 6.0% canola oil, 70.98%, 61.68g, 109.52g respectively), although these mentioned parameters increased in the control group according to the other canola oil groups and conversely did not affect the feed conversion. In addition, supplementation of canola oil increased the yellow colour of the eggs and the egg-yellow index. On days 21 TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance) value significantly increased depending on increasing levels of canola oil (13.60, 14.78, 16.68, respectively), while on days 42 TBARS value did not change. The egg yolk lipid profile was not significantly difference in the canola oil groups, conversely decreased a very small amount of in the control group. The blood serum lipid profile decreased in the canola oil groups according to the control group. In the same time, monoacildigliserol also decreased in the canola additive groups. In parallel with increasing levels of canola oil (42.94, 42.14 and 43.51%, respectively), monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) in the egg yolks significantly increased compared to the control group (36.05%). On the basis of the results, we concluded that canola oil supplementation into the diet of laying hens is important in producing monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich functional eggs.
Effect of plant growth regulators on yield and quality of gerbera under Bay Island conditions

An experiment was conducted in pots having plants which were sprayed with aqueous solution containing 50,100,150 ppm GA3; 400,600,800 ppm CCC; 250, 500, 750 ppm MH; 4,6,8 ppm ethephon and carrier (control) from January to May at monthly interval. It may be concluded that foliar application of 100 ppm GA3 at monthly intervals from January to May was best treatment for obtaining best growth of plants, maximum number of cut blooms with stalk length as well as flower size meeting the global standards of cut flower trade.
Assessment in Choosing Higher Education: A Case of Indonesia

The decision of students to continue their studies is a decision after making considerations that are adjusted to the circumstances of a number of college choices. The purpose of this study is to examine the decisions of students to choose universities in Indonesia. The research method used is to compare the results of research and journals that examine students’ decision to choose a college. Then, examine the theories of consumer behavior so that it can be concluded what is considered by students. The results of previous studies show many influencing factors such as education costs, WOM, university reputation, location, lecture facilities, program accreditation and others. These results can be a reference and consideration for universities in Indonesia in attracting prospective students to choose certain universities and referring to others.
Comparison of proposed survey procedures for detection of forest carnivores

American marten (Martes americana), fisher (M. pennanti), wolverine (Gulo gulo), and lynx (Lynx lynx) are forest carnivores believed threatened by disturbance of late-successional forests. To manage forested ecosystems for these species, effective methods for their detection must be available. Recently, the U.S. Forest Service proposed standardized survey procedures for the detection of forest carnivores; this report presents the first critical assessment of these protocols. We compared dual-sensor remote cameras and soot-coated open and covered track plates in the same study areas over an 8-month period. Of the 4 species targeted by these procedures, we detected 3 (American marten, fisher, wolverine). The remote camera method ranked highest with respect to ease of use, effectiveness, and accuracy of identifications. However, track plates performed well for 2 species and, under certain circumstances, may be the method of choice. We suggest improvements for each method and encourage that such standardized procedures be applied over wide regions.
FOLIAR δ 13 C WITHIN TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST: ITS SPATIAL CHANGE AND INTERSPECIES VARIATION

The stable carbon isotope ratios ( δ 13 C) of dominant tree and shrub species in typical temperate broad leaved forests in Dongling Mountain, northwestern part of Beijng, China, were studied. The results indicated that the values of foliar δ 13 C differed among the species tested, in the following order of Prunus armeniaca var. ansu Maxim. Fraxinus rhychophylla Hce. ≈ Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd. ≈ Quercus liaotungensis Koiz. ≈ Syringa pekinensis Rupr. Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The δ 13 C values were also affected by the maturity of leaves. The newly developed leaves had higher δ 13 C values than the mature ones, especially in Juglans mandshurica and Quercus liaotungensis. The conditions of habitats, particularly soil depth and moisture content, also had pronounced effect on foliar δ 13 C. The foliar δ 13 C values of plants grown in dry habitats were higher than those in moist ones. They were also affected by the position of leaves in the canopy: leaves at upper canopy showed higher δ 13 C values than the lower ones. It is suggested that stable isotope technique may be effective for the study of ecophysiology of plants in the warm temperate regions of China.
Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in piglets

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in piglets. A total of forty 21-d-old Duroc × Large White × Landrace weaned piglets were randomly allocated into two treatment groups and fed with control diet or 2% CLA diet for 6 weeks. Dietary CLA significantly increased the number of peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, cytotoxicity, perforin, and granzyme B mRNA expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes in piglets from the CLA-supplementation group increased by 29.98% (P < 0.01), 32.87% (P < 0.01), and 43.36% (P < 0.05), respectively. The piglets on the CLA diet had higher mRNA expression of Lck and Fyn in peripheral blood lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The content of C16:0 significantly increased in piglets from the dietary CLA-supplementation group (P < 0.05), whereas the content of C18:1 significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The CLA content of peripheral blood lymphocytes in piglets in the CLA diet group ranged up to 0.24% (P < 0.01). These results suggest that dietary CLA enhanced cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes perhaps through changing its fatty acid composition.
PRODUCTIVITY AND DECOMPOSITION OF THE DOMINANT

Net primary production and decomposition of the 4 dominant salt marsh plants found in Louisiana were determined. Live and dead standing crops were calculated by the harvest method over an annual cycle. Litterbags were used to estimate loss rates of vegetation from the marsh. Peak standing crops were: 1164 g/m2 for Distichlis spicata, 2194 g/m2 for Spartina patens, 1959 g/m2 for Juncus roemerianus and 1473 g/m2 for Spartina alterniflora. Net production estimates using the Smalley (1958) method were from 1291 g-m~2-yr-1 for D. spicata, 1342 gm~2yr_1 for S. patens, 1740 girr2yr_1 for J. roemerianus and 1527 g-m~2-yr~! for S. alterniflora. Using the Wiegert and Evans1 (1964) method net production for the 4 species was: 1162 gm~2yr~\ D. spicata; 1428 g-m~2-yr_1, S. patens; 1806 g-m_2-yr~\ J. roemerianus and 2895 gm"2yr1 for S. alterniflora. It is estimated that these 4 species of Louisiana marshland plants produce 146 x 105 metric tons/yr of plant material. This accounts for approximately one-half of 17,050 km2 of marshes in the state. In general production was higher for this Louisiana marsh than reported in Atlantic Coast marshes. Also, decomposition rates were considerably higher. Spartina alterniflora decomposed most rapidly with 100% removal in 7 mo: 24%/yr for D. spicata, 36%/yr for S. patens and 20%/yr for J. roemeri? anus. In addition a belowground standing crop analysis was undertaken on new S. alterniflora roots.
Effects of Single and Combined Organic Acids on Form of Cd in Soil

To find practical ways for strengthening the phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil,effects of citric acid and combined organic acid(malic acid + citric acid) on chemical form of Cd in soil was studied.The results revealed that,for different pollution levels of soil CdⅠ-CdⅣ,single and combined organic acids can effectively activate Cd in soil.And when compound adding 2.5 mmol kg-1 malic acid + 7.5 mmol kg-1 citric acid to soil,percentage content growth rate of the most active exchangeable Cd was significantly higher than the growth rate of Cd in the soil which was single added 10 mmol kg-1 citric acid.
An Evaluation Method for Embedded Software Dependability Using QEMU-Based Fault Injection Framework

Software dependability reflects the degree of the user’s trust in the system. Fault Injection (FI) is a superior method of evaluating a system’s dependability. An artificial fault is inserted into various locations throughout the system, with the intent of monitoring its propagation and observing the system’s behaviour in the presence of the fault. FI using Quick EMUlator (QEMU) allows for the injection of faults during the early stages of design and implementation without the need for a physical prototype of the target system. Additionally, it allows for sufficient controllability and observability as well as accurate results. As a result, we propose a QEMU-based fault injection framework to evaluate the dependability of embedded software for peripheral devices. The work proposed in this paper concentrates on emulating the ARM environment and the PrimeCell UART PL011 device. The framework is used to inject permanent stuck-at, intermittent bit-flip, and transient fault models into the UART peripheral. All experimental results and discussion are mentioned in Section IV.
Productive infection of field strains of avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus in chicken peripheral blood-derived monocytes

The avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) typically infects the respiratory tract of chickens, but can also spread to other organs. However, the mechanisms of virus dissemination are presently unclear. We show that peripheral blood-derived monocytes/macrophages from chickens (chPBMC) are productively infected by clinical strains of IBV, accompanied by induction of apoptosis. Our data suggest that chPBMCs play a role in the dissemination of IBV, and may be important for viral pathogenesis.