Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The plus-hybrid system: A method to increase grain yield by combined cytoplasmic male sterility and xenia

Cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) is used increasingly in hybrid seed production because of its superiority in terms of cost efficiency. Non-restored cms-hybrids often yield more than their male-fertile counterparts, especially when they are pollinated by unrelated plants. The combined effects of cms and genetically dissimilar pollen sources (i.e. xenia) are referred to as the Plus-Hybrid effect. The Plus-Hybrid system consists of blending a non-restored cms-hybrid with an unrelated male-fertile hybrid as a pollinator. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the effect of male sterility and xenia on the grain yield of cms-hybrids as pure stands in small-plot experiments and (2) to confirm the results, obtained from small-plot experiments, with real Plus-Hybrids as blends in large-strip mixture trials. European and US Corn Belt germplasm was used. Small-plot experiments were conducted from 1998 to 2000: Two dent x flint cms-hybrids were crossed with three fertile hybrids in nine environments in Switzerland; two dent x dent (Corn Belt adapted) cms-hybrids were crossed with four fertile hybrids in 12 environments, and one cms-hybrid was crossed with five fertile hybrids in 8 environments in the USA. Large-strip mixture trials were conducted from 1998 to 2000: One cms-hybrid was crossed with four pollinators in three environments in Switzerland; one cms-hybrid was crossed with two pollinators in 32 environments and three pollinators in 16 environments in the USA. The Plus-Hybrids, on average, outyielded their male-fertile counterparts. In Switzerland, the best Plus-Hybrid yielded 1.7 t ha -1 higher in the small-plot and 1.1 t ha -1 higher in the large-strip mixture trials. In the USA, the Plus-Hybrid effects were somewhat less strong and less consistent. Our results indicate that, in particular in European dent x flint germplasm, Plus-Hybrids may be a valuable option to further increase grain yields of high yielding maize hybrids. In the USA, where the dent x dent pattern predominates, further research is required to identify genetically diverse germplasm that will contribute a sufficiently large and consistent Plus-Hybrid effect to be of value to producers.
Combined Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Blockade and Superoxide Anion Scavenging Affect the Post-Ischemic Kidney in Hypertensive Rats

Abstract Ischemic acute kidney injury is characterized by renal vasoconstriction, filtration failure, tubular obstruction, tubular backleak and overproduction of angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species. Considering this complexity, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II type-1 receptor blocker - Losartan and superoxide anion scavenger - Tempol, in a combined treatment on acute kidney injury in postischemic hypertensive rats. The experiment was performed in anesthetized, adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats. The right kidney was removed and the left renal artery was occluded for 40 minutes. Experimental groups received combined treatment (Losartan + Tempol) or saline in the femoral vein 5 minutes before, during and 175 minutes after clamp removal. Hemodynamics and biochemical parameters were measured and kidney specimens were collected 24h after reperfusion. Histological examination was performed by optical microscopy. Combined treatment improves renal haemodynamics parameters which were exacerbated due to acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury significantly decreased creatinine and urea clearance and increased lipid peroxidation in the plasma. Treatment with Losartan and Tempol induced a significant increase of creatinine and urea clearance. Lipid peroxidation in the plasma decreased and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity in the erythrocytes increased after Losartan + Tempol treatment. This combined treatment reduced cortico-medullary necrosis and tubular dilatation in the kidney. Our results indicate that synergism of Losartan and Tempol treatment could have beneficial effects on blood pressure and kidney function, during postischemic acute kidney injury development in experimental hypertension.
Environmental Accounting from the New Institutional Sociology Theory Lens: Branding or Responsibility?

Drawing on the new institutional sociology theory, this study aims at exploring the implementation of environmental accounting. We analysed sustainability and annual reports of 39 manufacturing companies in Indonesia from 2010 to 2017. The hypotheses of the study were tested using multiple linear regression analysis. The results indicated that company reputation has a positive effect on environmental accounting. However, public ownership has no effect. These results showed that community power failed to encourage companies to disclose environmental accounting. The environmental reporting provided by companies was merely a ceremonial for the good company reputation. The findings of this study contribute to the policy development in which the government might need to tighten regulations for companies to administer their impacts on the environment and provide awards for those succeeding in implementing environmental accounting.
Tucurui dam and the populations of the prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum in the Lower Tocantins (Pa-Brazil): a four year study

A four year survey of the prawn Manobrachimi atnazonicum (HELLER, 1862) o n the Tocantins river studies che shon term impact of the Tucurui hydroelectric project on downstream fishery and reservoir populations. The furthest downstream site below the dam has been the most affected. Before the closure of the dam, the annual prawn catch in Camera and the flood intensity were directly linked by a linear relation. The prawn production decreased aftcr the closure of the dam from 121 t in 1985 to 6Ot in 1986, increased up to 91 t in 1987, but decreascd to 62t in 1988. But the introduction of post-dam data in the linear flood/catch model did not modify the regression slope. The catch variation is partly explained by a stock decrease, and p a d y by a change in fishing effort. However the seasonal pattern of prawn captures; population size and reproduction intensity have not been affected. Sampling conducted further upriver showed no significant difference in relative abundance, mean size and reproduction characreristics throughout the study period. Recent reservoir populations displayed a very rapid response ro cnvironniental modifications, adopting lacustrine charactb.risiics likc size reduction and a Jemale-biascd sex ratio. Capturcs per unit effort increased from 1985 IO 1988. Grcarcr abundances were noted in the vicinity of the dam, probably due to an increase of available food.
Further Elucidation of Beer Flavor Instability: The Potential Role of Cysteine-Bound Aldehydes

The potential involvement of 2-substituted 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids in beer flavor stability was further investigated. The binding behavior of beer-aging aldehydes toward both cysteine and bisulfite was confirmed and compared in model solutions of varying pH values that are relevant to malting and brewing (pH 6.0, 5.2, and 4.4). It was found that binding of aldehydes increased with increasing pH, especially for binding to cysteine. Furthermore, a sample preparation approach was developed to release aldehydes from their bound-state. After binding between aldehydes and cysteine, the strong base 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) was added to the samples as a competitor of the aldehydes toward cysteine binding, and subsequent release of aldehydes was clearly observed. The same approach also resulted in a release of aldehydes from preformed bisulfite adducts. Sample treatment with 4VP was also applied to fresh pale lager beer, resulting in increased levels of free beer-aging aldehydes. Moreover, the presence of furfural derived 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid in fresh pale lager beer was confirmed and quantified by a newly developed ultra-performance liquid chromatography-UV method. The insights gained in this study strengthen the hypothesis that 2-substituted 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids may play an important role in beer flavor stability or instability.
‘Hansen 2168’ and ‘Hansen 536’: Two New Prunus Rootstock Clones

Two new, patented, vegetatively propagated Prunus rootstocks are being released for commercial use. These rootstocks are hybrids of an almond selection, Almond B, crossed with Peach Selection 1-8-2 by the late Carl J. Hansen. These rootstocks are being released primarily for use with almond but also can be used as rootstocks for peach, plum, and prune.
Survey of toxic epiphytic dinoflagellates from the Belizean barrier reef ecosystem

Benthic epiphytic dinoflagellates, associated with the human disease ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), were found in low abundance on four species of macrophyte from eight separate sampling sites from the Belizean barrier reef ecosystem. Clonal cultures of Gambierdiscus toxicus, Prorocentrum lima, P. belizeanum, P. hoffmannianum, and P. mexicanum were found to be toxic. Highest densities of dinoflagellates were found as epiphytes on the rhodophyte, Acanthophora spicifera, while lowest densities were found as epiphytes on the angiosperm, Thalassia testudinum. Prorocentrum lima was the dominant epiphytic dinoflagellate at all sites except the locations with greatest disturbance. At these sites, the dominant dinoflagellates were Gambierdiscus toxicus and Ostreopsis lenticularis. However, the maximum densities of all species observed were much lower than other ecological surveys on these dinoflagellates from the Caribbean. The low abundance of toxic dinoflagellates associated with the dominant macrophyte, Thalassia testudinum, may be responsible for the low incidence of ciguatera in the Southern Belizean barrier reef ecosystem. However, with the increased inhabitation of this area, cases of ciguatera may rise.
Vibrio vulnificus and Indicator Bacteria in Shellstock and Commercially Processed Oysters from the Gulf Coast.

Fifty-one interstate shipments of shellstock oysters were sampled at processing plants and examined bacteriologically for Vibrio vulnificus , fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli , and standard plate count. The occurrence of V. vulnificus in the oysters was seasonal with low numbers during the winter and levels frequently exceeding 110,000/g during the summer. The numbers of V. vulnificus correlated (p < 0.01) with fecal coliform levels in the oysters and with water temperatures in the harvest areas. Normal commercial processing did not significantly (p > 0.05) reduce the levels of V. vulnificus or indicator bacteria in the oyster meats. However, storage of the processed meats in containers packed on ice usually produced a one-log and two-log unit reduction in numbers of V. vulnificus after 3 and 7 d, respectively.
How well do bird atlas reporting rates reflect bird densities? Correlates of detection from the Fynbos biome, South Africa, with applications for population estimation

Relationships between true population densities and reporting indices from atlas data are important for the calculation of population sizes, though these relationships are remarkably little-known and likely confounded by issues of detection. We examine issues of detection for a single-observer point-count survey across the Fynbos biome in South Africa. We created an index of relative abundance comparable to atlas reporting rate and calculated detection coefficients for each species. We explore various models that explain relative abundance as a function of detection covariates, e.g. mass, colour, group size, vocal behaviour and density. Density was consistently included across models and the best predictor when used alone in a validation exercise. We then calculated mean reporting rates for the citizen science South African Bird Atlas Project2 (SABAP2). A model of species’ reporting rates as determined by density for this set of birds suggested the correlation between atlas reporting rates and density estimates was weak, with species capable of using modified habitats exhibiting higher reporting rates than expected from the density estimates. There was a positive correlation between bird density and reporting rates corrected for by species mass. We used this relationship to calculate densities for the Fynbos bird species and compare results to published data.
The Analysis of Competition Experiments

In experimental studies of the competition between plant species, plants of two species are grown together in the same pot or plot. To compare a number of species, a suitable balanced arrangement is to grow each species in association with each other and on its own (i.e. associated with itself) once in each replication. The interpretation of the results of such experiments is discussed in this paper.
Biodiversity of the Southern Ocean: a catalogue of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Caprellidae and Cyamidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) with distribution and ecological data

An up-to-date catalogue of two families. of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Caprellidea (Crustacea: Amphipoda) is establi shed including 23 speci es of Caprellidae (plus two unidenti fied species) and 7 species of Cyamidae ectoparas ites on Cetacea. Exhausti ve or extensive li st of bibliographical references with synonymy, detailed informati on on geographic and bathymetric di stribution (with maps), ecological data and remarks on taxonomi c and biogeographical status are provided for each species. The catalogue is based on taxonomi c and ecological literature checked until 31 December 2003 . Addi ti onal unpubli shed records of species from the Antarctic and subAntarcti c collec ti ons held at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences have been incl uded. The taxonomi c statu s of all the Southern Ocean species has been checked and the identi fication of specimens a·ttributed to Cap rei/ina spp aff /ongicollis, Mayere//a magel! an ica, Paraproro sp. , Capre/la equilibra, C. penanris, as well as to Caprellinoides need further clarification or confi rmation . Most of the caprellids found in the Southern Ocean have a wide bathymetri c di st ributi on. The highest spec ies ri chness was found between 0 and 200 meters deep in the sub-Antarcti c and between 35 and 500 meters deep in the Antarcti c. Of 23 species of benthi c Caprellida, 14 can be considered endemic to the Southern Ocean (s. l.) , 6 endemi c to the sub-Antarct ic region and 3 endemi c to the Antarcti c region. Endemi city at genus level attain s 43.7 % for the whole Southern Ocean, and 14.3 % for each of the Antarctic and sub-Antarc ti c regions. Habi tat use, feeding strategies and clinging behaviour remain unknown fo r most of the benthic caprellid species fro m the Southern Ocean and future studi es are needed to fill thi s gap.
Electric energy consumption and economic feasibility of led lighting system in broiler house

This study aimed to compare the performance of incandescent lamps and LED lamps, regarding the consumption of electricity and the economic viability of these lighting systems in broiler houses in western Paraná State, Brazil. The study was conducted to compare the power consumption in two broiler houses of the dark house type in São Miguel do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil; one lighting system with incandescent lamps and the other one with LED lamps. The power consumption was measured in the two lighting systems, using meters of electrical quantities Landis Gyr+ during the housing period of a batch of poultry corresponding to 43 days. Then, the energy consumption was calculated per bird housed, by mass of live chicken and aviary unit area. With the electricity tariff values for rural consumers, there was an evaluation of the economic viability of lighting systems by the method of net present value (NPV) method and the discounted payback. The main results showed that throughout the period of broiler chickens housing, in the aviary with incandescent lamps 1,768 kWh in lighting was consumed, while the aviary with LED lamps consumed 221 kWh. The economic feasibility analysis showed that the use of LED lamps presented greater economy, and has a return on investment within a period of 21 months.
Cenozoic dynamics of shallow‐marine biodiversity in the Western Pacific

Cenozoic dynamics of large‐scale species diversity patterns remain poorly understood, especially for the Western Pacific, in part, because of the paucity of well‐dated fossil records from the tropics. This article aims to reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of species diversity in the Western Pacific through the Cenozoic, focusing on the tropical Indo‐Australian Archipelago (IAA) biodiversity hotspot.
Studies on Combining Ability Through Line x Tester Analysis in Garden Pea (PIsum Sativum L.)

This research was carried out to investigation the genetic structure of the 36 F1 garden pea hybrids established from 12 female parents (Line) and three male parents (Tester), to determine parents showing general combining ability (GCA) and determine crosses showing specific combining ability (SCA). Broad genetic variability was observed among the genotypes. Estimates of variance due to GCA and SCA and their ratio revealed predominantly non-additive gene effects for all studied traits. While line KS-156 and KS-256 were the best general combiners among the parents, KS-175 X E-6 was the best cross for seed yield. Hybrids generally showed grater yield potential than their parental genotypes.
Recent advances in understanding flow dynamics and transport of water-quality constituents in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta

doi: https://doi.org/10.15447/sfews.2016v14iss4art1 This paper, part of the collection of research comprising the State of Bay–Delta Science 2016, describes advances during the past decade in understanding flow dynamics and how water-quality constituents move within California’s Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). Water-quality constituents include salinity, heat, oxygen, nutrients, contaminants, organic particles, and inorganic particles. These constituents are affected by water diversions and other human manipulations of flow, and they greatly affect the quantity and quality of benthic, pelagic, and intertidal habitat in the Delta. The Pacific Ocean, the Central Valley watershed, human intervention, the atmosphere, and internal biogeochemical processes are all drivers of flow and transport in the Delta. These drivers provide a conceptual framework for presenting recent findings. The tremendous expansion of acoustic and optical instruments deployed in the Delta over the past decade has greatly improved our understanding of how tidal variability affects flow and transport. Sediment is increasingly viewed as a diminishing resource needed to sustain pelagic habitat and tidal marsh, especially as sea level rises. Connections among the watershed, Delta, and San Francisco Bay that have been quantified recently highlight that a landscape view of this system is needed, rather than consideration of each region in isolation. We discuss interactions of multiple drivers and information gaps.
Physiological roles of avian eyes in light perception and their responses to photoperiodicity

The eye is a vital sense organ under neuro endocrine regulation in order to allow sight in the bird. It responds to light stimulus and photoperiodicity of the environment of the birds, where they are reared. The effects of photo stimulation are mediated via the various components of the eye. The physiologic roles of avian eyes have been under-utilised in poultry management to enhance production and consequently, economic efficiency of the birds. Regulatory mechanisms of avian eyes' function, response of components to photo stimulation and utilisation of photoperiod to enhance production in poultry have been reviewed. In conclusion, avian eyes respond to light stimulation and photoperiod, and these responses may be utilised for commercial poultry production in terms of eggs and meat, as well as for improving the welfare of the birds.
Negative impacts of invasive plants on conservation of sensitive desert wildlife

Habitat disturbance from development, resource extraction, off-road vehicle use, and energy development ranks highly among threats to desert systems worldwide. In the Mojave Desert, United States, these disturbances have promoted the establishment of nonnative plants, so that native grasses and forbs are now intermixed with, or have been replaced by invasive, nonnative Mediterranean grasses. This shift in plant composition has altered food availability for Mojave Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii), a federally listed species. We hypothesized that this change in forage would negatively influence the physiological ecology, immune competence, and health of neonatal and yearling tortoises. To test this, we monitored the effects of diet on growth, body condition, immunological responses (measured by gene transcription), and survival for 100 captive Mojave tortoises. Tortoises were assigned to one of five diets: native forbs, native grass, invasive grass, and native forbs combined with either the native or invasive grass. Tortoises eating native forbs had better body condition and immune functions, grew more, and had higher survival rates (>95%) than tortoises consuming any other diet. At the end of the experiment, 32% of individuals fed only native grass and 37% fed only invasive grass were found dead or removed from the experiment due to poor body conditions. In contrast, all tortoises fed either the native forb or combined native forb and native grass diets survived and were in good condition. Health and body condition quickly declined for tortoises fed only the native grass (Festuca octoflora) or invasive grass (Bromus rubens) with notable loss of fat and muscle mass and increased muscular atrophy. Bromus rubens seeds were found embedded in the oral mucosa and tongue in most individuals eating that diet, which led to mucosal inflammation. Genes indicative of physiological, immune, and metabolic functions were transcribed at lower levels for individuals fed B. rubens, indicating potential greater susceptibility to disease or other health-related problems. This study highlights the negative indirect effects of invasive grasses, such as red brome, in desert ecosystems, and provides definitive evidence of a larger negative consequence to health, survival, and ultimately population recruitment for Mojave Desert tortoises than previously understood.
Chromosome numbers in two species of Onobrychis miller

In this study, 2 Onobrychis species (O. galegifolia Boiss. and O. radiata (Desf. Bieb.), which are distributed in Southeast Anatolian region, were investigated morphologically, and their chromosomes were count. The examined species clearly belong to the Onobrychis section. Figures of Onobrychis species flowers and their parts were drawn to determine and characterize the species. Seeds were used for the count of somatic chromosome numbers of the examined species, and two of them have been determined for the first time, and found to be 2n = 16 and 2n = 14, respectively.