Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of Enzymes during Germination: Amylopectin‐1,6‐glucosidase in Peas

Development of amylopectin-1, 6-glucosidase (amylopectin 6- glucanohydrolase) activity in germinating peas occurs under conditions in which protein synthesis is inhibited and α- and β-amylase fail to increase in activity. An increase in activity of amylopectin 6-glucanohydrolase can be obtained in cell free homogenates of imbibed pea seeds under autolytic conditions. Activation is shown to occur in a particulate fraction and to be due to the action of a proteolytic enzyme in the homogcnates. A system could be constituted consisting of a particulate fraction and trypsin which lead to a rapid activation of the amylopectin 6-glucanohvdrolase. This is regarded as proof that enzymes in germinating seeds can be formed by liberation or activation of precursor forms. The implications of this are discussed.
Gillnet catch composition and biodiversity in Bushehr County, Persian Gulf, Iran

The main purpose of this study was to investigate gillnet catch composition and biodiversity caught by 130, 140, and 150 mm (STR) mesh sizes during the fishing season. This research was conducted in the fishing ground of Bushehr County located in the Persian Gulf from autumn 2018 to spring 2019. Overall, 23 families including 36 genera and 43 species were identified. Spring season with 42 species and winter season with 32 species showed the highest and lowest species biodiversity, respectively. Carangidae family with 7 genera and 8 species, Scombridae family with 3 genera and 4 species, and Dasyatidae with 3 genera and 4 species were the families with the highest species biodiversity. Scomberomorus commerson and Thunnus tonggol with 23.45% and 21.84% in autumn, 20.15% and 25.85% in winter, 21.9% and 19.78% in spring showed the most abundance percentages, respectively. The 130 mm mesh size and spring season had the highest abundance, diversity, and the number of caught species in comparison with other mesh sizes and seasons. Two-ways ANOVA results showed that the effects of mesh sizes and seasons on the calculated metrics were significant (P0.05). The highest and lowest Jaccard (J) and Sorensen (S) seasonal similarities were between autumn and spring (J: 0.805, S: 0.892) and autumn and winter (J: 0.561, S: 0.719), respectively. The results of non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed that 130 and 140 mm mesh sizes had overlap in terms of the fish abundance and catch composition. Cluster analysis also showed the highest similarity between S. commerson and T. tonggol, and Euthynnus affinis and Scomberoides commersonnianus.
Germination Capacity of Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer (Annonaceae) an Endemic and Endangered Species in Manabí, Ecuador

Annona deceptrix is an endemic and endangered tree from Ecuador according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species™. Its endangered status has been related with anthropogenic activities and some intrinsic characteristics of this species such as a low germination capacity of its seeds under natural conditions which is a serious limitation to obtain plants to establish conservation and breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the seed germination capacity of A. deceptrix under different conditions and pre-germination treatments as a decisive factor in the survival of the species in ecosystems. The six pre-germination treatments were seed mechanical scarification (fine sandpaper), seed imbibitions in gibberellic acid solutions with three different concentrations (600, 700, 800 ppm) for 24 hours, imbibition of seeds in distilled water for 48 hours and direct sowing (control). For each treatment was sown twenty seeds under greenhouse conditions and germination chamber. The variables evaluated were: total number of germinated seeds, germination capacity, maximum germination value and germination energy. Mechanical scarification was the best treatment with 100 % germinated seed and showed to be significantly different than the other treatment. In this regards, the rest of the treatment the germination ranged between 35 % to 55 % and did not show statistical differences each other. In conclusion, the seeds of A. deceptrix have a low germination capacity in natural conditions and then they need a pre-germination process such as mechanical-scarification to guarantees for their performance in the ecosystems.
Optimum Nutrient Rate and Nutritional Constraints in Tuber Crops Growing in Ultisol of India with Special Emphasis on Tannia

Tuber crops are generally grown in marginal lands with low native soil fertility. In India, laterite soils (acidic Ultisols) are the major soils for tropical tuber crops and are poor in innate fertility. Among tropical tuber crops, some have adapted to poor soils, such as cassava, whereas others such as tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.) cannot establish well in these soils and may manifest nutritional disorders, which ultimately result in the complete devastation of the crop. Therefore, we investigated the effects from a preliminary rate trial (PRT) and nutrient-omission pot trial (NOPT) using maize as a test crop and a NOPT with tannia to determine the optimum nutrient rate and limiting nutrients, as well as nutritional problems affecting the growth and yield of tannia. Each experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design with three replications and was conducted for both garden and paddy soils. The PRT revealed that the optimum nutrient requirements for the soils were different, with garden soils requiring nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo) at 200, 60, 160, 70, 60, 50, 4, 8, and 0.8 kg ha−1, respectively, and paddy soil requiring twice these rates. The NOPT indicated that in addition to N, P, K, B, and Mo in both garden and paddy soils, Ca and Zn in paddy soils and S in garden soils were the constraining nutrients. The NOPT carried out with tannia indicated that the main nutritional problem was subsoil acidity-induced multinutrient deficiencies involving K, Ca, and Mg.
Problematic Internet Use of Adolescents: Role of Daily Hassles and Social Isolation

Problematic Internet use not only has negative effects on adolescents’ development and social lives but also may yield negative mental health outcomes. Taking into account that it may damage adolescents’ school and family lives, it is clear that identifying and preventing factors associated with problematic Internet use is very important on both the individual and societal levels. The purpose of the present study was to explore the associations between problematic Internet use, daily hassles, and social isolation among high school students. The study group comprised high school students from various socioeconomic levels in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Data were collected from 371 high school students: 189 female students (51%) and 180 male students (49%). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine variables predicting high school students’ levels of problematic Internet use. The results showed that the variables of being ignored, exclusion, and daily hassles significantly predicted high school students’ problematic Internet use. Suggestions were made in light of the current literature.
Transcriptional responses of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera larvae to benzoxazinoids

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera is a specialist pest of maize. As such, D. v. virgifera may be expected to have adaptations to cope with maize defences, including benzoxazinoids, the major defensive secondary metabolites of Poaceae. Exposure of D. v. virgifera larvae to benzoxazinoids was manipulated by rearing them on benzoxazinoid biosynthesis deficient mutant maize or a related wild‐type maize line. The transcriptional profiles of larvae fed on wild‐type or mutant maize were analysed by second generation sequencing. Nine transcripts were identified as differentially expressed between larvae fed on the two maize lines. Five transcripts were expressed at a higher level in larvae exposed to benzoxazinoids, including putative cytochrome P450 and cathepsin protease genes. These results support the hypothesis of an inducible counter defence to benzoxazinoids in D. v. virgifera, possibly involving cytochrome P450‐mediated detoxification.
Genotipicação de Clostridium perfringens isolados de frangos de corte através da PCR múltipla

Clostridium perfringens (Cp) is an anaerobic gram-positive bacterium which causes gaseous gangrene and enterotoxaemias in humans and domestic animals, besides being the primary cause of necrotic enteritis in poultry. Cp isolates were preliminary identified according to the lecithinase test on agar TSC-egg yolk, colony with double haemolysis in desfibrinated horse blood agar, Gram staining and biochemical tests. Cp isolates (171) were obtained from the intestinal content of broiler chickens sampled in a slaughterhouse in Para de Minas city, MG, Brazil. Cp was isolated in 62/125 (49.6%) strains from jejunum content and in 109/125 (87.2%) of ileum. Cp strains were classified into five toxigenic types (A-E), using multiplex PCR assay for genotyping of the principal and lethal toxins in the detection of genes coding for toxins alfa, beta, epsilon e iota, nomely genes cpa, cpb, etx e iA genes, beta2 toxin (cpb2) and enterotoxin (cpe). From a total of 62 Cp jejunum isolates obtained 42/62 (67.7%) were type A, 1/62 (1.6%) type A with the amplification of products for beta2 toxin gene (A/B2), 0/62 (0%) type B, 17/62 (27.4%) type C and 1/62 (1.6%) type D. A total of 109 ileum Cp isolates were obtained being 62/109 (56.9%) type A, 3/109 (2.7%) type A/B2 toxin gene, 1/62 (0.9%) type B, 38/109 (34.9%) type C, 1/109 (0.9%) type D. Cp A (60.8%) and Cp C (32.2%) toxigenic types were the most prevalent types in the analyzed intestinal contents of broiler chickens Cp A 104/171 (60.8%) and 55/171 (32.2%) toxigenic types which were the most prevalent types analyzed into two partes of the intestinal content of broiler chickens. Five (2.9%) out of 171 Cp isolates were not typified. The iota toxin (iA) and enterotoxin gene (cpe) codifying genes were not identified.
Toxicity of copper and zinc in seedlings of Mung bean and inducing accumulation of polyamine

Abstract A solution culture was conducted to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) toxicity on growth of mung bean (Phaseolus aures Roxb. cv VC‐3762) and accumulation of polyamine. Eight‐day‐old seedlings were grown in diluted nutrient solution with different concentrations of Cu and Zn for 6 days. Results showed that elongation of epicotyl and fresh weight of plants were decreased by 10 μM Cu and 100 μM Zn significantly compared to control (0.03 μMCu and 0.1 μMZn). Accumulation of polyamine, especially putrescine (Put) was found in the epicotyl of mung bean seedlings. Addition of 5 mM calcium (Ca) into nutrient solution improved the growth of 10 μM Cu‐treated seedling, and decreased the concentration of Put and increased concentrations of spermine and spermidine in epicotyl of plants. Moreover, supplying Put did not increase tolerance of plant to Cu or Zn. It was suggested that Put accumulation resulting from toxicity of Cu and Zn might merely be a symptom of stress injury.
Aleatoriedade e variabilidade produtiva de feijão-de-vagem

With the aim of studying the randomness and variability of productive bean pod, the following experiments were performed on white: 1) in greenhouse in autumn-winter, 2) in tunnel in autumn-winter, 3) in unprotected environment in autumn-winter, 4) in tunnel in spring-summer and 5) in unprotected environment in spring-summer. The variable measured was the fresh weight of pods. Studies were conducted by harvest and harvest groupings. Were planned different plot sizes, and for each, were conducted tests of homogeneity of variances between crop row and between harvests, and tests of randomness in each crop row. The non-randomness and variability in production of fresh pods are larger in adverse weather conditions the culture of the bean pod and decrease with increasing plot size. The use of plots consisting of six basic units (12 plants) in protected or unprotected makes the production of fresh pods random and provides lower variability between rows and between harvests.
Determinants of Online Shopping among Civil Servants in Yenagoa City, Bayelsa State

This paper examined the socio-demographic determinants of online shopping among civil servants in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. To achieve this aim, several internet platforms and computer applications for online shopping were explored. The study adopted the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen (1975, 1980). Data were collected through structured questionnaire administered to 160 civil servants from five selected government institutions. The data were analysed using descriptive (percentages and tables) and bivariate statistics (chi-square crosstab). Findings from the study indicates that age (p<0.007), ethnic groups (p<0.001), position in the civil service (p<0.007), ownership of internet enabled phones (p<0.007), and ownership of laptop (p<0.007) were the major socio-demographic and economic determinants of online shopping, with Jumia (67.5%) being the most patronised online shopping platform. Also, the major challenges of shopping online revealed by the study include; no refunds (46.3%), delivering wrong products (45%), and online fraud (40.6%). Additionally, shopping online is mostly done using phones (65.6%) amongst civil servants with middle income (60%), while electronics/computers (60.6%), clothing/footwears (50.6%), and home appliances (43.1%) were the most shopped items online. Given the findings, from the study, it is recommended that online retailers should accept responsibility for wrong items and products delivery, and make necessary refunds if the customer so desires. In addition, given the rate of fraud in online payments, the pay-on-delivery service which is mainly available in Lagos, should be extended to other cities. Keywords: Determinants, online shopping, Civil servants, Theory of reasoned action, Yenagoa.
Progresso genético em arroz de várzea úmida no Estado do Amapá

This paper had the objective of quantifying the genetic progress of lowland rice in the state of Amapa, Brazil, in the 1991-1996 period. The efficiency of the rice lineages evaluation and selection program was studied, using grain yield data, obtained in the Advanced Yield Trials, of the Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijao network. To estimate the genetic gain the methodologies of Vencovsky et al. (1986) and Fernandes (1988) were used. The genetic gain obtained was of 2.45%/ year (78.9 kg ha-1), being 63.21% of the whole progresses due to the genetic breeding, for the first method. In the second method, the genetic gain was of 3.02%/year (96.93 kg ha-1), being 67.85% of the whole progresses due to the genetic breeding. The genetic gains obtained in both methodologies evidence that the efforts undertaken in the search of adapted and productive cultivars have been producing expressive results.
Carbohydrate bait preferences of wasps (Vespula vulgaris and V. germanica) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in New Zealand

Abstract Carbohydrates are both a source of food and a potential bait for control of common and German wasps. Carbohydrate preferences of wasps were determined in a series of paired trials by counting the number of wasps caught in traps baited with carbohydrate‐based baits versus a standard protein‐based bait. Factors influencing wasp attraction to carbohydrate‐based baits included bait type, season, weather, and location. A 30% sucrose solution was more attractive than honey, jams, gels, or dry (solid) sugars. The sucrose solution was more attractive in spring and autumn than in summer, probably because rainfall washed away natural carbohydrate supplies. There was a significant relationship between rainfall in the previous week and the proportion of wasps caught in traps baited with sucrose solution versus sardine cat‐food. A higher proportion of German wasps than common wasps was caught in sucrose‐baited traps. This may have been related to seasonal differences in abundance and/or behavioural difference.
Ecological information from spatial patterns of plants: insights from point process theory

1 This article reviews the application of some summary statistics from current theory of spatial point processes for extracting information from spatial patterns of plants. Theoretical measures and issues connected with their estimation are described. Results are illustrated in the context of specific ecological questions about spatial patterns of trees in two forests. 2 The pair correlation function, related to Ripley's K function, provides a formal measure of the density of neighbouring plants and makes precise the general notion of a ‘plant's‐eye’ view of a community. The pair correlation function can also be used to describe spatial relationships of neighbouring plants with different qualitative properties, such as species identity and size class. 3 The mark correlation function can be used to describe the spatial relationships of quantitative measures (e.g. biomass). We discuss two types of correlation function for quantitative marks. Applying these functions to the distribution of biomass in a temperate forest, it is shown that the spatial pattern of biomass is uncoupled from the spatial pattern of plant locations. 4 The inhomogeneous pair correlation function enables first‐order heterogeneity in the environment to be removed from second‐order spatial statistics. We illustrate this for a tree species in a forest of high topographic heterogeneity and show that spatial aggregation remains after allowing for spatial variation in density. An alternative method, the master function, takes a weighted average of homogeneous pair correlation functions computed in subareas; when applied to the same data and compared with the former method, the spatial aggregations are smaller in size. 5 Synthesis. These spatial statistics, especially those derived from pair densities, will help ecologists to extract important ecological information from intricate spatially correlated plants in populations and communities.
Pathogenicity of Aspergillus clavatus produced in a fungal biofilm bioreactor toward Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

1 Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, P.O. Box-5005, Dakar Fann, Senegal 2 Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Passage des Deportes 2, P.O. Box-5030 Gembloux, Belgium 3 Bio-Industries/C.W. B.I. , Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Passage des Deportes 2, P.O. Box B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Response of growing cattle to supplementation with organically bound or inorganic sources of selenium or yeast cultures

Bioavailability of organically bound and inorganic Se sources differ, the organic form being absorbed more efficiently. Dairy and beef calves (250 kg initial weight) were given a low Se diet alone or supplemented with sodium selenite (1 mg Se d−1; inorganic Se), a Se-enriched yeast (1.5 g yeast d−1 providing 1 mg of Se; organic Se), a live yeast culture (1.5 g d−1) or autoclaved yeast culture (1.5 g d−1). The latter treatments were included to determine the response to yeast per se. There were no treatment effects on rate of weight gain or efficiency of feed conversion by the calves. The Se souces had no effect on digestibility of the diet by sheep. The inorganic Se supplement increased the level of whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity at a linear rate with time up to 3 mo from the start of supplementation. The effect of organic Se was sustained for 4 mo and both indices of Se status in blood were higher (P < 0.01) for calves fed the organic Se than for those fed inorganic Se after .
Inducing male sterility in Brassica napus L. by a sulphonylurea herbicide, tribenuron‐methyl

A sulphonylurea herbicide, tribenuron-methyl, methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) methylamino] carbonyl] amino] sulphonyl] benzoate, was used to induce male sterility in rapeseed. Application of 0.2 [mu]g tribenuron-methyl per plant at the bolting stage with the longest floral bud 0.2 [mu]g per plant) did have some significant impact on rapeseed, including stunting, fading leaves and petals, reduction in the size of floral parts and a shortened duration of flowering. The percentage of hybrid seeds from '84004' treated with 0.2 [mu]g [multiplication] 2 tribenuron-methyl per plant and pollinated by a male parent 'Huaye' was 92.7%, which met the hybridity requirement in China. The results suggest that tribenuron-methyl could be used as an efficient chemical hybridizing agent.
Assessment of Factors Associated with Suboptimal Adherence of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Asia: A Systematic Review

Introduction Despite efforts done to battle human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, it still remains as one of the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Asia sits as the second region with most HIV prevalence worldwide. Non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the factors which contribute to treatment ineffectiveness. Plenty of studies have tried to research on this problem, yet reviews regarding non-adherence factors in Asia are still lacking. Objective To analyze factors associated with ART suboptimal adherence in Asia Methods A systematic review was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL, searching for observational studies which analyze factors contributing to ART non-adherence in Asia. Studies selected were then assessed for bias risk with STROBE’s criteria. Results The search yielded twenty observational studies with a total of 18,546 subjects, consisting of 16 cross-sectional studies and 4 cohort studies. Non-adherence to ART was associated with a number of factors. Personal factors, such as gender, age, and personal backgrounds, as well as socioeconomic factors, such as one’s education level and monthly income were significantly associated with adherence. Psychological health of HIV patients also affected their adherence to treatment. Furthermore, distance to health care facilities and patients’ relationship with health care providers were also important. Conclusions To conclude, addressing factors related to treatment non-adherence is important to enhance treatment effectiveness. Knowledge of these factors is hoped to help improve strategies and guidelines for ART adherence, especially in Asia, therefore helping to increase treatment effectiveness and reducing HIV mortality worldwide.