Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of a linear and proportional hazards approach to analyse discrete longevity data in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to compare two methods for analysis of longevity in dairy cattle. The first method, currently used for routine genetic evaluation in the UK, uses a linear model to analyse lifespan, i.e. the number of lactations a cow has survived or is expected to survive. The second method was based on the concept of proportional hazard, i.e. modelling the conditional survival probability of a cow as a function of time. Comparisons were based on estimated heritabilities, ranking of estimated breeding values of sires, estimated effects of covariates used in the final models, and the distribution of residuals. The same data set, 21497 observations on the number of lactations cows had survived, was used for both analyses, even in the presence of censored observations. Cows in the data were progeny of 487 sires. Heritability estimates for lifespan or survival were approximately 0.06 for both methods, using the definition of heritability on a logarithmic scale for the proportional hazards model. Correlations between breeding values for sires were high, with absolute values ranging from 0.93 to 0.98, depending on the model fitted. It was concluded that it may be justified to use the standard Weibull model even for discrete time measures such as the number of completed lactations, but that more research is needed in the area of discrete time variates.
Growth, yield and mineral content of broccoli intercropped with lettuce.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of intercropping with lettuce on growth, chlorophyll content, mineral content and yield of broccoli under field conditions during 2009 and 2010. The broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) as a main crop was intercropped with leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa) as intercrop. The study was carried at University of Atatürk in Turkey. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design with three replications. Lettuce seedlings were planted in the middle of broccoli rows, both crops were also grown in pure stands as control. Results of this study indicated that intercropping systems compared to sole did not affect some growth characteristics and yield of broccoli except for weight per plant. Phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) content of broccoli leaves did not vary significantly depending on cropping systems. However, intercropping caused decrease in nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) concentration compared to sole broccoli cropping. The study showed that broccoli based intercrop treatments might provide the highest total yield as well as productivity and profitability.
Influence of Brucella infection on circadian rhythm of haematological parameters in dairy cows.

The circadian rhythms have evolved in domestic animals in more different breeding management, and reflect an adaptive mechanism to react in advance to the regular environmental changes. The aim of this research was to evaluate the circadian rhythm of haematological parameters in cows and to study if Brucella abortus infection in cows can alterate their rhythmicity. For this purpose, five healthy cows and five Brucella infected cows were enrolled. Blood samples were collected in spring (sunrise 06:30, sunset 19.00), every 4 h over a 24 h period, starting at 12:00 on day 1 and finishing at 12:00 on day 2, and a complete blood cell count with differential was performed. One-way ANOVA for repeated measures was applied to evaluate the effect of time on haematological parameters. Using cosinor rhythmometry, four rhythmic parameters were determined: mesor, amplitude, acrophase and robustness. One-way repeated measures Analysis of Variance were applied to evaluate a significant effect of time of day on each parameter. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The application of one-way ANOVA showed a statistical significant effect of time of day on haematocrit (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) in healthy cows. In Brucella-infected cows, statistical significant changes of neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes were observed. Using Cosinor method, the same parameters showed a daily rhythmicity. Our results showed that a daily rhythmicity exists both for healthy and infected cows, but in different haematological parameters. In particular, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in and neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes in. This study is a preliminary observation in changes of circadian clocks during pathological events in domestic animals. In particular, further investigations should be conducted to evaluate how the molecular clock components are influenced not only by an inflammatory response but contemporarily by a change in L/D cycles.
Age Differences in On-Line Syntactic Processing

Reading timeandcomprehensionfor subject-relative (e.g., The pilot that admired the nurse dominated the conversation) and object-relative (e.g., The pilot that the nurse admired dominated the conversation) constructions were compared among younger and older readers. Younger adults, but not older adults, differentially allocated time to the more taxing object-relative constructions. Although there were no age differences in comprehension of subject-relative constructions, older adults demonstrated lower levels of comprehension for object-relative sentences. Inconsistent with a modularity view positing preservation in ''interpretive'' processes with age, these results suggest that age-related differences in working-memory capacity limit responsiveness to text demands, thus compromising sentence comprehension.
MANAGING MULTICULTURAL VIRTUAL ENGINEERING TEAMS

With the global trend towards internationalization, there is a need to understand the parameters that determine the success of the multicultural and multi-located teams. This research is intended to explore the performance of multicultural and multi-located teams operating in Egypt and the various managerial approaches required to enhance these teams’ work efficiency. The research employed a qualitative-quantitative experiment on multicultural and multi-located teams in one of the foreign firms operating in Egypt. The groups’ performance was analyzed using Porter’s Model and a framework was proposed. The proposed framework was verified through three phase experiment. The final framework developed included organizational culture, mechanism for staff recruitment, communication, leadership styles and decision making approaches. This framework is intended to assist in enhancing the operation of the multicultural and multi-located design engineering teams in Egypt.
Haptoglobin: Biosynthesis and Evolution

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a serum protein known for its ability to form a tight complex with hemoglobin (Hb) and thereby inhibiting the oxidative activity of Hb. Mammalian Hp is synthesized as a precursor (proHp) that undergoes proteolytic cleavage by a previously unidentified enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this study, a proHp-cleaving enzyme was isolated from human serum and identified as complement C1r-like protein (C1rLP). Co-expression of C1rLP with proHp in mammalian cells resulted in cleavage of the latter protein in the ER. Mutation of either the active site serine residue in C1rLP or the arginine residue in the cleavage site of Hp abolished the cleavage of proHp by C1rLP. RNAi studies in mammalian cells identified the proHp-cleaving enzyme as C1rLP.Hp has been found in all mammals studied to date but its presence in non-mammalian species has not been unambiguously shown. By searching currently available genomic DNA and cDNA sequence databases, a gene orthologous to mammalian Hp was found in bony fish. Hp-like protein expressed from this gene was demonstrated to be a major Hb protein in fish serum. Surprisingly, no Hp-like gene was found in the genomes of either frog or chicken. In chicken, a protein previously described as Hp was identified as PIT54, a member of a scavenger receptor cysteine-rich family of proteins. Interestingly, ostrich serum seemed to contain two Hb-binding proteins; one similar to PIT54 and one to mammalian Hp. We are not aware of any other case where the function of one gene has been taken over by another, completely unrelated geneFish Hp (fHp) is composed of a serine proteinase-related domain preceded by an extension consisting of several aminoa acids and a signal peptide. The extension contains a consensus motif for cleavage by subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs). fHp was found to be cleaved by SPCs in the Golgi complex.Collectively, this thesis presents evidence that Hp has undergone significant changes during evolution with respect to its molecular organization and to the mechanism of its proteolytic cleavage.
Platelet-rich plasma induces morphofunctional restoration of mice testes following doxorubomycine hydrochloride exposure

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 8% of couples during the reproductive period of life are faced with the problem of infertility. Thus, the efforts of doctors and researchers are aimed at finding of effective treatment methods for spermatogenesis disorders. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has therapeutic effect due to the presence of growth factors. This work aimed to investigate the function of PRP on mice males’ gonads in experimental toxic affection. After toxic affection of the gonads by doxorubomycine hydrochloride (DH) mice got three injections of PRP. PRP was isolated from whole blood with the processing unit SmartPrep (Harvest Corp.). The introduction of PRP under the skin of scrotum renews the testis microstructure and the state of spermatogenic epitelium in mice, normalizes the amount and functioning of the Sertoly cells. This effect, probably, is conditioned by the activity of the growth factors, which freed from platelets’ α-granules after the PRP injection. Thus, the application of the platelet rich plasma is the effective method for restoration of the gonads of mice males in the condition of toxic affection. J. Exp. Clin. Med., 2014; 31:183-187
Study of some morphological characteristics Oncorhynchus mykiss breed farmed in salmonid exploatations from Moldova.

Study of morphological characters of fish by means of biometry is a frequently used method and consists in determining the variability of characters in isolated individuals or groups of individuals, by direct measurement, weighting and statistical processing of obtained data. Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, is characterized by intensively body growing superior to other salmonid breeds, being the breed which assimilates best the growing conditions of intensive trout farms. This breed is the object of the current study by analyzing of 40 individuals of third summer, 20 individuals in each batch (L1 and L2), in two trout farms from mountain area of Moldova. Based on the processing of the obtained data were calculated the most representative indexes and maintenance coefficients. The obtained values were between 3.58 at L1 batch and 3.83 at L2 batch for profile index; for Fulton coefficient 1.74 at L1 batch and 1.56 at L2 batch; for Kiselev index between 1.46 at L1 batch and 1.55 at L2 batch; for thickness index 44.44 at L1 batch and 45.61 at L2 batch; for fleshy index I 21.21 at L1 batch and 20.10 at L2 batch, and for fleshy index II 18.76 at L1 batch and 19.18 at L2 batch. After analyzing the obtained results we can conclude that the analyzed fish from both experimental batches presented a good state of maintenance.
Highly informative genic and genomic SSR markers to facilitate molecular breeding in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

With an objective of identification of highly informative set of SSR markers in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a total of 4485 markers were used for screening using a set of 20 parental genotypes of 15 mapping populations. Although 3582 (79.9%) markers provided scorable amplification, only 1351 (37.3%) markers showed polymorphism. Polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.10 (GM742) to 0.89 (S009) with an average of 0.31. Similarly, number of alleles ranged from 2 to 14 with an average of 3.2 alleles. In general, the SSR markers based on dinucleotide repeats displayed higher PIC value and number of alleles. Based on these polymorphism features, 199 markers with >0.50 PIC values have been identified. Polymorphism features of these markers along with the primer sequences, for the first time, for a total of 946 SSR markers have been provided. It is anticipated that the identified set of highly informative markers, instead of starting from the random set of SSR markers, should be very useful to initiate molecular genetics and breeding studies in cultivated groundnut.
Awareness related survey of an invasive alien weed, Parthenium hysterophorus L. in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a weed of global significance causing colossal loss in terms of economic, environmental, animal and human health hazards. A survey on awareness of Parthenium hysterophorus L. infestation and its eradication was conducted in Dadri and Jewar blocks of Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state, India by selecting five villages in each block. One hundred fifty respondents were interviewed in each block and data were collected through questionnaire. During survey it was observed that most of the villagers (75%) of Dadri block had knowledge about the morphological features of Parthenium plant whereas in Jewar block only 60% of the rural people were aware about the morphological features of Parthenium weed. The present study revealed that 55.33 and 40.67 % of the respondents in Dadri and Jewar block were aware about the adverse effects of Parthenium hysterophorus on the productivity of crop plants but only 10% respondents in Dadri block had an idea about the negative effects of Parthenium hysterophorus on environmental biodiversity. It was observed that awareness and knowledge level regarding the ill effects of Parthenium weed was more in the respondents of Dadri block in comparison to Jewar block it may be due to higher level of educational status of the rural people of Dadri block. In Jewar block, respondents had no idea about the negative effects of Parthenium weed on environmental sustainability. Unfortunately in both of the blocks, rural people did not know about the biological method to control the weed and other methods of utilization of Parthenium hysterophorus. Thus, there is an urgent need that media resources should carried out awareness programmes to enhance the knowledge level to the people for eco friendly management of Parthenium weed.
Mise au point d'un protocole de transformation génétique chez le caféier (Coffea arabica L.) grâce à la bactérie vectrice Agrobacterium tumefaciens

On envisage de transferer dans le genome des cafeiers cultives le gene d'une delta-endotoxine de Bacillus thuringiensis afin de reduire l'impact economique des insectes ravageurs sur la production de cafe. L'effet d'agents de selection in vitro et d'agent bacteriostatiques sur l'embryogenese somatique a partir de fragments foliaires de Cof fea arabica L. genotype ^F2.1 a ete etudie dans le but de mettre au point un protocole de transformation des cafeiers cultives utilisant le vecteur bacterien Agrobacterium tumefaciens. La cefotaxime est apparue phytotoxique et inhibe l'embryogenese somatique sur milieu de Yasuda a partir de ces expiants. La carbenicilline provoque la croissance d'un cal volumineux a partir de la section des expiants. La kanamycine inhibe totalement l'embryogenese somatique a une concentration superieure a 125mg/l. Cet antibiotique pourra etre utilise comme agent selectif dans le protocole de transformation. Les tentatives de transformation d'expiants foliaires, de fragments de tiges, d'hypocotyles et de feuilles cotyledonnaires, avec des souches bacteriennes sauvages ou desarmees, n'ont pas permis de detecter de cellules transformees. Un test de visualisation de l'expression du gene marqueur GUS dans le cytoplasme de cellules transformees a ete mis au point sur coupes de ^^m d'epaisseur d'expiants fixes inclus dans la resine. (Resume d'auteur)
The Amber Forest: A Reconstruction of a Vanished World.

In "Jurassic Park", amber fossils provided the key to bringing dinosaurs back to life. Scientists in the movie extracted dinosaur blood from mosquitoes preserved for millions of years in amber - hardened tree resin - and used the blood's DNA to revive the creatures that terrified audiences around the globe. In this book, George and Roberta Poinar use amber for a similar act of revival - only they bring back an entire ecosystem. The Poinars have spent years examining the uniquely rich supply that has survived from the ancient forests of the Dominican Republic. They draw on their research here to reconstruct in words, drawings and colour photographs the ecosystem that existed on the island of Hispaniola between 15 and 45 million years ago. Samples analyzed and illustrated include a wide range of insects and plants - many now extinct - as well as such vertebrates as frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals. By examining these plants and animals and comparing them to related forms that exist today, the authors seek to shed light on the behaviour of these organisms as well as the environment and climate in which they lived and died.
Factors Influencing the Phytotoxicity of Chloroxuron

The phytotoxicity of 3-[p-(p-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea (chloroxuron) usually decreased as the stage of growth of five weed species at treatment increased. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), and the cotyledonary stage of cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) were most resistant to the herbicide. Ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. ) and jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) were more susceptible to chloroxuron. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) seemed less susceptible at the cotyledonary stage than at later stages. Phytotoxicity on both weeds and soybeans was increased by increased temperature and relative humidity following chloroxuron application. The phytotoxicity of chloroxuron also was increased by simulated rainfall in greenhouse studies.
Öğretmen Adaylarının Okul İklimi Algıları ile Akademik Öz-Yeterlik İnançları Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Bu calismada, ogretmen adaylarinin okul iklimi algilari ile akademik ozyeterlik inanclari arasindaki iliskilerin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Karma yontem kullanilarak gerceklestirilen arastirmanin nicel bolumunun katilimcilarini 552; nitel bolumu ise 12 ogretmen adayi olusturmustur. Ogretmen adaylarinin okul iklimi algilari “Universite Ogrencilerine Yonelik Okul Iklimi Olcegi”, akademik ozyeterlikleri “Akademik Ozyeterlik Olcegi”ile olculmus; odak grup gorusmeleri icin yari yapilandirilmis gorusme formu olusturulmustur. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistiklerin yaninda coklu korelasyon (Pearson Korelasyon Katsayisi) ve hiyerarsik regresyon tekniklerinden yararlanilmistir. Nitel veriler betimsel analiz ile cozumlenmistir. Arastirma sonucunda ogretmen adaylarinin okul iklimi algilari ile akademik ozyeterlikleri arasinda an-lamli iliskilerin oldugu tespit edilmis; okul ikliminin ozellikle “iletisim” boyutunun ogretmen adaylarinin ozyeterlik inanclarinda onemli bir rol oynadigi genel sonucuna ulasilmistir.
Immunological Detection of Newcastle Disease Viral Antigen in the Naturally Infected Chickens by Monoclonal Antibodies against Fusion-2 Protein

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Fusion (F)2 protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) wereproduced for the detection of the viral antigen in infected chickens. Cells derived from spleen of Balb/c miceimmunized with the virus were fused with mouse myeloma cells to generate hybridomas capable ofproducing mAbs against the virus. The hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) for anti-NDV specific mAbs using crude viral antigen (allantoic fluid of NDV-infected fertile eggs)and normal uninfected allantoic fluid of fertile eggs as negative control. The NDV proteins reactive withmAbs were then determined by Western Blotting using purified NDV as antigen. The mAbs reactive withF2 (12.5 KDa) protein of NDV were then used for the detection of NDV antigen in both the allantoic fluidof NDV- infected chicken embryos and in organs of naturally infected chickens. The results showed that 2out of 5 mAbs produced were against F2 protein of NDV. By indirect ELISA, the mAbs were able to detectthe viral antigen in allantoic fluid of NDV infected fertile chicken eggs at the titre as low as 2-2 to 2-4 HAunits per 0.1 mL. NDV–antigen was also detected by immunoperoxidase staining in paraffin-embeddedtissues of NDV-infected chickens but not in normal uninfected chickens. The most prominent infection wasdetected in the gastrointestinal tract and the lung. The NDV antigen was also detected in other organssuch as the brain, spleen, and several other tissues. It is evident that mAbs produced against F2 proteinof NDV were applicable for use in the detection of NDV antigen in infected chickens.
Competitive balance between the alien invasive Acacia longifolia and native Mediterranean species

Acacia species are invading large areas of the Portuguese coastline, causing serious ecologi- cal problems. In spite of the high seed rain, seedling survival of the alien invasive species is low, especially in the arid South. The hypothesis of a shift in competitive balances between alien inva- sive and native species at different developmental stages was explored. This was examined in com- petition experiments under controlled conditions (additive design) on the alien Acacia longifolia versus native Mediterranean species (Halimium halimifolium and Pinus pinea), in seedlings and established plants. The major advantage of A. longifolia was its constitutive high growth rate and its effective nutrient acquisition. Established plants were highly competitive and tolerant against com- petition with native species. However, during the early seedling stage, A. longifolia was less com- petitive and more sensitive towards competition with H. halimifolium. It is argued that this suscep- tibility together with drought sensitivity may restrict the spread of the alien A. longifolia under drier environmental conditions.
Plectranthus (Labiatae) and allied genera in Southern Africa

A revision is presented of the 40 species of Plectranthus , 1 species of Rabdosia and 3 species of Solenostemon which are indigenous, semi-naturalized or widely cultivated in Southern Africa. Descriptions, illustrations, keys and distribution data are provided. The following new names are published: P. mutabilis Codd, P. psammophilus Codd, P. rubropunctatus Codd, P. unguentarius Codd, P. ornatus Codd (nom. nov. for Coleus comosus Hochst. ex Guerke), P. zatarhendi (Forsk.) E. A. Bruce var. tomentosus (Benth.) Codd, —var. woodii (Guerke) Codd, P. madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth. var. aliciae Codd, Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd and S. shirensis (Guerke) Codd.
Sexual Activity of the Ram Ouled Djellal Bred Raised in the Region of Chlef

The seasonal variations of the blood testosterone, the antero-posterior testicular diameter than the sperm characteristics (volume and concentration) were studied on ten rams of Ouled Djellal breed raised in the region of Chlef. The measures were realized once a week during one year. The monthly blood testosterone is important during all year (3.20 ng/ml), increasing in spring with its maximum in the beginning of summer and becoming low in autumn / winter. The testicular diameter, the volume of the ejaculum and the spermatic concentration undergoes variations parallel to the blood testosterone, characterized by high levels in summer spring/and fall in autumn/winter. These results reflect existence of a particular seasonal rhythm of functioning of the pituitary gland of the Ouled Djellal breed ram. The theory according to which ovine races are breeders in the short days is not necessarily applicable to all the breeds or to all biotopes.