Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of genotype × year interaction in rainfed durum wheat under moderate cold conditions of Iran

ABSTRACT A multi-year trial was conducted to compare the effects of genotype, year and genotype × year (G×Y) interactions for grain yield and several drought-adaptive traits of 25 wheat genotypes during five seasons (2005–2010). Four conventional stability statistics, covering a wide range of stability concepts (Types 1–4), and the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model were applied to analyse G×Y interaction and to investigate the causes of G×Y interaction in rainfed durum wheat. For all the traits, the largest sum of squares (SS) was accounted for by the year, followed by G×Y interaction and genotype effects. Most of the G×Y interaction (73.4%–90.6% of total G×Y interaction) was of crossover type, which would complicate the development of genotypes with stable performance. Partitioning SS due to G×Y interaction for genotypes indicated that the breeding lines were the smallest contributors to crossover G×Y interactions. The results indicated that the freezing days and earliness were among the climatic and genotypic co-variables, respectively, that contributed most to the G×Y interaction in rainfed durum wheat.
Effects of variation in the abundance and distribution of prey on the foraging success of central place foragers

Summary 1.Seabirds and pinnipeds are vulnerable to reductions in prey availability, especially during the breeding season when spatial constraints limit their adaptive capacity. There are growing concerns about the effects of fisheries on prey availability in regions where large commercial fisheries target forage fish. 2.For breeding seabirds and pinnipeds, prey availability depends on a combination of abundance, accessibility, patchiness, and distance from the colony. An understanding of the aspects of prey availability that determine foraging success is essential for the design of effective management responses. 3.We used a mechanistic individual-based foraging model (IBFM) based on observed data for two seabird species, the Peruvian Booby Sula variegata and Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvilliorum, to simulate the foraging patterns of seabirds feeding on schooling fish. We ran the model over simulated prey fields representing eight possible combinations of high or low prey abundance, shallow or deep prey, and broadly-distributed or spatially-concentrated prey. 4.The results highlight the importance of the accessibility of prey. Depth distribution was the primary factor determining modelled foraging success for both species, followed by abundance, and then spatial configuration. 5. Synthesis and applications. The individual-based foraging model (IBFM) provides a spatially-explicit framework for assessing the effects of fisheries on the foraging success of seabirds and other central place foragers (CPFs), and for evaluating the potential effectiveness of marine protected areas and other fisheries management strategies for safeguarding CPFs in dynamic ecosystems. Our analysis indicates that broad-scale fisheries management strategies that maintain forage fish above critical biomass levels are essential, but may need to be supplemented by targeted actions, such as time-area closures, when environmental conditions lead to low prey abundance or reduce prey accessibility for seabirds or pinnipeds of conservation concern. The IBFM is adaptable and could be reconfigured for application to other species and systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Diversity, distribution and abundance of freshwater snails in Eleyele dam, Ibadan, south-west Nigeria

AbstractFreshwater molluscs help in the assessment of the ecological status of water bodies and also play significant roles in the public and veterinary health. Hence, scientific studies pertaining to their diversity, distribution and abundance become essential. In Eleyele dam, freshwater snails were sampled and physicochemical parameters of the water body were analysed fortnightly using standard methods from May to October 2013. Plant species distribution and abundance, bottom sediment types were also identified. A total of 2230 freshwater snails were collected. The snail species, total number and relative abundance were: Melanoides tuberculata 450 (20.18%), Potadoma liberiensis 301 (13.49%), Biomphalaria pfeifferi 37 (1.66%), Indoplanorbis exutus 456 (20.45%), Bulinus globosus 18 (0.81%), Gabbiella africana 53 (2.38%), Lymnaea natalensis 386 (17.31%), and Physa marmorata 529 (23.72%). 4 out of these 8 species are of medical importance. The study revealed that the density of freshwater snails varied mont.
Bilateral Asymmetry of the Humerus in Jomon People and Modern Japanese

In the present study, I examined the bilateral asymmetries of several morphological characters of the humerus of 63 modern Japanese (male 46, female 17) and 40 Jomon people (male 20, female 20) with the aim of distinguishing be-tween metric features that are strongly affected by mechanical loading and those that are not, and to discuss the loading conditions of the upper arms of Jomon people.The results were that the bilateral asymmetries of humeral length and all other mea-surements except for proximal epiphyseal breadth did not correlate significantly with asymmetries of diaphyseal geometric properties.Since the longitudinal growth of a long bone stops when its epiphyses are fused with the metaphyses while corticla remodelling goes on for life, the present results can be interpreted as follows: 1) Bilateral asymmetries in the longitudinal direction is likely to reflect the cumulative loading conditions to around an age of 20 years, and 2) bilateral asymmetries in the tranverse direction reflects loading conditions relatively close to the time of death.Regarding the loading conditions inferred for the upper arms of Jomon people, it is suggested that they were stronger than in modern Japanese and some hunter-gather-ers (Amerindians). The loading conditions of the upper arms of Jomon people were also likely to be less asymmetric than in other populations, while differing consid-erably between sexes.
Fencerows as habitat for birds in an agricultural landscape in central Alberta, Canada

Abstract Fencerows (strips of trees along field edges) are common in agricultural landscapes and may represent valuable habitat for forest birds in areas where woodland is scarce. We examined the relationship between avian presence (species richness, territory density, and abundance) in 26 fencerows and vegetation structure in the fencerows and forest cover in the adjacent landscape in central Alberta, Canada. Species richness was positively related to fencerow area, but not to other vegetation or landscape characteristics. In contrast, territory density was highest in smaller fencerows with high tree diversity and those with a low amount of forest cover in the surrounding landscape. Redundancy analysis indicated that abundance of 16 common species was associated with vegetation in the fencerow and/or forest cover in the surroundings. Species composition in seventeen woodlots in the area was compared with fencerow species composition. Species recorded in fencerows represented 50% of the regional species pool found in woodlots. Fencerows had mainly edge species, no interior forest species, but harbored two species (Vesper Sparrow and Eastern Kingbird) not found in woodlots. Although we advocate the retention and even restoration of fencerows, this cannot be done to the exclusion of retaining large blocks of forest in the landscape for interior forest species.
Assessment of Biomarkers in Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Toxicity by siRNA

We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell lines treated with acetaminophen (APAP) in order to compare in vivo and in vitro profiles and to assess the feasibility of the two systems. During our analyses of gene expression profiles, we picked up several down-regulated genes, such as the cytochrome P450 family 51 (Cyp51), sulfotransferase family cytosolic 1C member 2 (Sult1c2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase 1 (Hmgcs1), and several genes that were up-regulated by APAP, such as growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 alpha (Gadd45a), transformation related protein 53 inducible nuclear protein 1 (Trp53inp1) and zinc finger protein 688 (Zfp688). For validation of gene function, synthesized short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for these genes were transfected in a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2, for investigation of cell viability and mRNA expression level. We found that siRNA transfection of these genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression and decreased cell viability. siRNA transfection for Cyp51 and others induced morphological alterations, such as membrane thickening and nuclear condensation. Taken together, siRNA transfection of these six genes decreased cell viability and induced alteration in cellular morphology, along with effective inhibition of respective mRNA, suggesting that these genes could be associated with APAP-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity, for better understanding of its mechanism.
An In Vitro Study of Fungicide Effects on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth in Almond

In almond [Prunis dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb. ], fungicide sprays are required to prevent blossom blight, which can infect open flowers. Numerous studies have reported detrimental effects of agrochemical sprays on pollination, fruit set, and yield in tree fruit crops. However, effects of fungicides on pollen germination and growth in almond are little known, particularly those from recently developed active ingredients. In this study we evaluated the effects of commercial formulations of 10 fungicides on pollen germination and tube growth in almond using in vitro assays. Assays conducted at 1/100 recommended field rates (RFR) were effective in delineating differences in almond pollen sensitivity to different fungicides. Captan and azoxystrobin were the most inhibitory, with germination percentages of less than 1% of the no-fungicide control. Germination was not significantly affected by propiconazole and benomyl. Intermediate inhibitory effects on pollen germination were observed with ziram, cyprodinil, maneb, thiophanate-methyl, iprodione, and myclobutanil. In contrast to germination, tube growth was less affected by the presence of fungicide. In pollen that germinated, tube elongation was the same as in controls in five of 10 of the fungicides evaluated. Nonetheless, azoxystrobin and captan reduced tube elongation by 90%. Some fungicide treatments also influenced tube morphology. In the absence of field evaluation studies, in vitro germination data may provide insight on how specific chemicals may impact pollination processes and further guide in vivo studies, particularly in the case of new chemical formulations.
Technique de fluoromarquage en masse à grande échelle des otolithes d'alevins vésiculés de truite commune (Salmo trutta) à l'aide de l'alizarine red S

L'article decrit la pratique a grande echelle du fluoromarquage en masse des otolithes d'alevins vesicules de truite commune (Salmo trutta L.) par un bain de 3 h dans une solution a 100 mg/L d'alizarine red S. La methodologie de traitement des otolithes (sagittae) en laboratoire pour detecter les poissons marques est precisee. Les suivis de lots temoins montrent un marquage pour 100% des individus traites avec une perennite minimale de la marque de 5 ans. Les resultats d'un test de double marquage realise en debut et fin de la periode de resorption vitelline montrent la possibilite de distinguer au moins deux lots au stade precoce d'alevin vesicule. L'experimentation realisee en grandeur reelle demontre la faisabilite technique de l'utilisation de cette technique de marquage pour evaluer a grande echelle des pratiques de repeuplement qui sont l'objet d'un vif debat international. Les avantages et inconvenients de la technique de marquage sont discutes dans cette perspective.
Genetic diversity and morphological variations of goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn] ecotypes in Malaysia

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn] has been a nuisance to growers in Malaysia due to its increased resistance to commercial herbicides, rapid growth and dissemination, and interference with agricultural practices. In the course of developing an apt integrated management to control goosegrass, more information of this weed is needed. The aim of this study was to look into variations among the goosegrass ecotypes sampled throughout Malaysia from the aspects of genotype and phenotype. Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were employed in investigating the genetic diversity and relationships among the 18 goosegrass ecotypes. Consequently, 5 primer combinations amplified 13 fragments with the polymorphism rate of 69.23%. At 74% similarity, the ecotypes were clustered into 6 groups. Phenotypic variability of the goosegrass ecotypes was assessed by observing their morphology, growth and seed traits. Goosegrass ecotypes were sorted into 3 major groups at the genetic distance (DIST) of 0.37. Concurrences of the evaluated genetic distance, ecotypes with the closest and most distant relationships were assembled together in Group I which showed high variation even among ecotypes in the same group. Results obtained thus implied high molecular and morphological variations of the goosegrass ecotypes in Malaysia.
Effect of chestnuts level in the formulation of the commercial feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of Celta pig breed

The effect of including chestnuts in the formulation of the feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality from 24 castrated males Celta pigs was studied. The inclusion of 15% of chestnut (CH15) improved ( p 0.05) differences except for the carcass length and ham length, for which the CH15 group proved to be the group with the longest sizes. The diet did not affect the physicochemical properties (colour parameters, water holding capacity and shear force) of longissimus dorsi muscle. The composition of some fatty acids of the longissimus dorsi muscle was affected by diet. The total saturated (35-38%) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (8-10%) did not present differences. However, the increase of chestnut in the diet increased ( p <0.05) the monounsaturated fatty acids in intramuscular fat (57% in CH25 vs . 53% in control and CH15). Within monounsaturated fatty acids, the C18:1n9 was the most influenced by the diet. The expression of the enzyme that synthesizes C18:1n9 depend on the composition of the diet. Therefore, the lower content of protein and the higher amounts of C18:1n9 and C18:2n6 in the chestnut could be explaining the greater content of C18:1n9 in muscle of chestnut-fed animals. The main conclusion is that including chestnuts in the diet would allow reduce production costs with no effect or even improving carcass measurements and meat quality.
Annual variability in reproduction of Juniperus communis L. in a Mediterranean mountain: Relationship to seed predation and weather

Abstract The interannual patterns of reproductive output were analysed for a population of Juniperus communis in the Mediterranean mountains of southern Spain. Cone production, number of seeds per cone, predispersal seed predation, seed abortion, and final seed set were studied for six consecutive years (1992-1997). Interannual variation in reproduction was assessed in relation to weather conditions during pollination and cone development. All the reproductive components varied strongly among years. Ripe cone production correlated positively to seed set and seed predation but was independent of the percentages of empty and filled seeds. The percentage of empty seeds positively correlated to precipitation during the month of pollination. Interannual patterns in reproductive output proved inconsistent with the predator satiation hypothesis. Mediterranean mountain weather affected juniper reproduction at a local scale, acting in a narrow range of variation, since seed emptiness is governed primarily by factors acting at a broader geographical scale.
Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal, India

An annotated checklist of oribatid mite taxa from Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal, India, is presented on the basis of a faunistic survey carried out inside the sanctuary from January, 2011 to December, 2012. A total of 44 oribatid species, belonging to 37 genera in 24 families, have been identified. The present study has also documented nine species as the new records from India. The most frequent species of this sanctuary are Protoribates (P.) magnus (Aoki, 1982), Lamellobates (L.) molecula (Berlese, 1916), Perscheloribates (P.) albialatus (Hammer, 1961) , Lamellobates (Paralamellobates) bengalensis Bhaduri & Raychaudhuri, 1968, Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis Tragardh, 1910, Multioppia radiata Hammer, 1961, and Hoplophorella cuculata (Ewing, 1909). Additionally, the most species rich families of the study area are Oppiidae Sellnick, 1937 and Scheloribatidae Grandjean, 1933.
Morphological and immunohistochemical investigations of endometrial biopsies in mule mares

Mules belong to the (mostly infertile) equine hybrids. The differences between the parental sets of chromosomes in number (female horse: 2n=64, male donkey: 2n=62) and structure lead to a meiotic arrest, resulting in a decreased number of oocytes at birth (Mollmann 1991, Allen and Short 1997). As described in literature mules clinically show either an estrus cycle or acyclia (Mollmann 1991, Bartmann et al. 2008) and have been successfully used as recipients in embryo transfer techniques (Allen and Short 1997). However, systematic morphological and functional investigations of the endometrium of these equine hybrids do so far not exist.
Floristic composition in areas of Caatinga and Brejo de Altitude in Sergipe state, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to characterize the vegetation of the Serra da Guia, Sergipe state, Brazil, through the floristic survey of two areas, one located at the base (Caatinga - 09°58’09”S, 37°51’52”W) and the other at the top of the mountain (Brejo de Altitude - 09°58’55”S, 37°52’06”W), with systematic monthly collections from October 2009 to September 2010. We sampled 416 species (88 families): 238 species (60 families) in the area of Caatinga and 284 species (76 families) in the Brejo. In the Caatinga, families with higher species richness were Fabaceae (32) and Euphorbiaceae (17), while in the Brejo, these were Fabaceae (25) and Poaceae (19). The Serra da Guia is the first Brejo de Altitude described and studied in the Sergipe state, and analysis of the floristic composition of plant communities in the Caatinga and the Brejo has shown that these formations have very different characteristics and high biodiversity.
The importance of protected and unprotected areas for colony occupancy and colony size in White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus in and around Gola Rainforest National Park, Sierra Leone

Summary Most attention on tropical biodiversity conservation has focussed on protected areas. Recognising and enhancing the value of biodiversity outside, as well as inside, protected areas is increasingly important given recognition that biodiversity targets will not be met through protected areas alone. We investigated the extent to which protection influences colony occupancy and colony size of a species of conservation concern, the rock-nesting White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus. We used mixed models to compare long term trends at 42 colonies located both inside and outside a protected area of forest, Gola Rainforest National Park, and considered colonies further inside the boundary as being better protected. Colony occupation was primarily predicted by the level of protection, with occupation highest within protected areas, but was not different between colonies situated close to or far from the boundary. Mean colony occupation was consistently high in protected areas, and lower in unprotected areas. The surface area of colony rocks was also an important predictor with larger rock faces having a higher probability of occupancy. Our best models also included distance to forested habitat, presence of cleared forest and evidence of hunting as less important predictors. Over the eight-year study, after controlling for rock surface area, active colony size declined significantly. However, declines were only significant in colonies in unprotected forest, whilst colonies located within protected areas were buffered from significant decline. Together this suggests colony occupancy and the number of active nests are influenced by protection and human disturbance. Although a lack of demographic and population dynamic work on picathartes prevents identifying mechanisms, we show that despite unprotected colonies having lower occupancy and fewer active nests they can persist in human altered and disturbed areas, partly because larger traditionally used rocks remain important nesting sites.
Investigating side effect modules in the interactome and their use in drug adverse effect discovery

One of the biggest challenges in drug development is increasing costs of bringing new drugs to the market. Many candidate drugs fail during phase II and III trials due to unexpected side effects and experimental methods remain cost ineffective for large scale discovery of adverse effects. Alternatively, computational methods are used to characterize drug side effects, but they often rely on training predictors based on drug and side effect similarity. Moreover, these methods are typically tailored to the underlying data set and provide little mechanistic insights on the predicted associations. In this study, we investigate the role of network topology in explaining observed side effects of drugs. We find that drug targets are closer in the interactome to the proteins inducing the known side effects of the drug compared to the proteins associated with the rest of the side effects. We show that the interactome based proximity can be used to identify side effects and we highlight a use case in which interactome-based side effect prediction can give insights on drug side effects observed in the clinic.