Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Characterization and Genetic Analysis of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Germplasm

The present investigation was conducted during kharif, 2014 at Research Block, Dept. of Crop Improvement, V.C. S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, College of Forestry, Ranichauri Campus with thirty-five diverse genotypes of finger millet including three checks viz., PRM-1, PRM-2 and VL-149 laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. Observations were recorded for fourteen morphological traits and the data were analyzed for variability, heritability and expected genetic advance. Computation of genotypic, phenotypic and environmental variances, genotypic coefficient of variance, phenotypic coefficient of variation and environmental coefficient of variation, heritability (in broad sense) and genetic advance were statistically worked out to understand the nature and extent of variability in expression of different characters prevailed in population and that led to facilitate selection for various traits for identifying desired genotyped suitable for hills. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all thirty-five genotypes with a wide range of mean values for different characters. There was sufficient variability found for all the characters among the various genotypes which could offer great scope for improvement. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were highest for biological yield per plant followed by plant height, days to 50 per cent flowering and harvest index. Hence, these characters are more suitable for selection procedure. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for biological yield per plant, plant height and days to 50 per cent flowering. Direct selection for these characters would be effective as heritability and genetic advance might be due to additive gene interaction.
Low genetic diversity of Hypophthalmus marginatus from the Tocantins River based on cytochrome b sequence data

In this study, we used a portion of mitochondrial cytochrome b to evaluate the current genetic structure of the Hypophthalmus marginatus Valenciennes 1840, from the Tocantins River in the eastern Amazonia. Genetic diversity was measured in two downstream (Abaetetuba and Cameta), and two upstream (Tucurui and Itupiranga) stocks under influence of the Tucurui Hydroelectric Dam. Additionally, one stock from the Araguaia River system was included in the analysis. Our findings provide evidence for the existence of reduced levels of genetic diversity in H. marginatus of the Tocantis basin. The pattern of distribution of haplotypes observed in the present study appears to reflect the migratory characteristics of H. marginatus (short distance migratory), suggesting gene flow mainly in the upstream to downstream. Alternatively, presence of rare sequences only in Cameta and Abaetetuba may result from recent mutations, since they differ from connecting haplotypes by only one nucleotide substitution. Key words: Hydroelectric dam impact, Hypophthalmus marginatus, population genetic structure.
University of São Paulo “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture Understanding hormonal and temporal factors associated with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom) acquisition of competence: key concepts for in vitro shoot regeneration

10 1. THE ACQUISITION OF COMPETENCE FOR SHOOT INDUCTION IN TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM CV. MICRO-TOM) IS DRIVEN BY A TEMPORALLY PRECISE ENDOGENOUS AUXIN ACCUMULATION, WHICH CAN BE MANIPULATED TO IMPROVE GENETIC TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM . 11 ABSTRACT.11. 11 1.
Conserving and recovering vulnerable marine species: a comprehensive evaluation of the US approach for marine mammals

Human-caused mortality due primarily to bycatch in fisheries is considered a major threat to some long-lived, slow-growing, and otherwise vulnerable marine species. Under many jurisdictions these species are designated as “protected”, and fisheries are subject to a management system that includes monitoring and assessment of bycatch impacts relative to management objectives. The US management system for marine mammals is one of the most sophisticated in the world, with a limit on human-caused mortality computed using the potential biological removal (PBR), formula. Fisheries are categorized according to their impact relative to PBR, and take reduction teams established to develop take reduction plans (TRPs) when bycatch exceeds PBR. The default values of the parameters of the PBR formula were selected in the late 1990s using management strategy evaluation (MSE), but the system, in particular the classification of fisheries, has yet to be evaluated in its entirety. A MSE framework is developed that includes the PBR formula, as well as the processes for evaluating whether a stock is “strategic”, assigning fisheries to categories, and implementing TRPs. The level of error associated with fisheries classification was found not to impact the ability to achieve the conservation objective established for a stock under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (i.e. maintain or recover the stock to/at optimum sustainable population). However, this ability is highly dependent on the life history and absolute abundance of the species being managed, as well as on the premise that bycatch is reduced if bycatch is estimated to exceed the PBR. The probability of correctly classifying fisheries depends on both the coefficient of variations (CVs) of the estimates of bycatch and the marine mammal stock’s abundance because classification depends on the ratio of the estimate of bycatch by fishery-type to the stock’s PBR, and the precision of the former depends on the bycatch CV and the latter on the abundance estimate CV. Moreover, the probability of correctly classifying a fishery decreases for smaller populations, particularly when a fishery has low to moderate impact.
GENETIC VARIABILITY AND EXPECTED GAIN IN THREE MAIZE POPULATIONS

ABSTRACT - The study of genetic variability in populations undergoing recurrent selection is important to quantify their real potential for breeding purposes. In the present work, three semiexotic maize populations were evaluated on their yield potential and variability for continuing the recurrent selection program. Half-sib families representing three semiexotic populations CRE-01, CRE-02, CRE-03 were evaluated for yield and agronomic traits male flowering (MF), plant height (PH), ear height (EH), ear placement (EP) - ratio = (EH/PH), tassel length (TL), tassel branches (TN), final stand (FS), ears per plot (NE), prolificacy (PR), ear length (EL), ear diameter (ED), ear yield (EY), grain yield (GY). The observed means for grain yield (GY), in percent of the hybrid check, were 93.8%, 89.4%, and 94.6%, showing a relatively good yield potential. Means (cm) for plant height (PH) and ear height (EH) were 221, 237, 241 and 117, 134, 137, respectively, with reductions in relation to the first cycle. Parameters estimates for GY were: additive genetic variance 582.28, 406.70 and 238.11 g2.plant-1; heritability 59.17%, 49.82% and 38.53%; progeny mean basis, and expected gain for progeny selection 8.16%, 6.86% and 3.88%; selection intensity of 20%. Keywords : Zea mays , recurrent selection, semiexotic population, genetic parameters. VARIABILIDADE GENETICA E GANHO ESPERADO EM TRES POPULACOES DE MILHO RESUMO - O estudo da variabilidade genetica em uma populacao sob selecao e importante para quantificar seu potencial para fins de melhoramento. No presente trabalho foram avaliadas tres populacoes semiexoticas de milho quanto ao seu potencial de producao e de variabilidade para continuar o programa de selecao recorrente em curso. Familias de meios irmaos representando as tres populacoes (CRE-01, CRE-02, CRE-03) foram avaliadas para caracteres agronomicos florescimento masculino (MF), altura da planta (PH), altura da espiga (EH), posicao relativa da espiga (EP), comprimento do pendao (TL), ramificacoes do pendao (TN), estande final (FS), espigas por parcela (NE), prolificidade (PR), comprimento da espiga (EL), diâmetro da espiga (ED), peso de espiga (EY), peso de graos (GY). As medias observadas para producao de graos (GY) foram 93,8%, 89,4% e 94,6% da testemunha, mostrando um bom potencial de producao. As alturas medias da planta (PH) foram 221, 237 e 241 cm e da espiga (EH) foram 117, 134 e 137 cm, com reducoes em relacao ao primeiro ciclo. As estimativas de parâmetros para GY nas tres populacoes foram, respectivamente: variância genetica aditiva 582,28 g2 planta-1, 406,70 g2 planta-1 e 238,11 g2 planta-1; coeficiente de herdabilidade em media de progenies 59,17%, 49,82% e 38,53% e ganho com selecao para 20% de intensidade de 8,16%, 6,86% e 3,88%; ganho com selecao para 5% de intensidade de 10,81%, 10,47% e 5,32%, respectivamente para as populacoes CRE-01, CRE-02 e CRE-03. Palavras-chave : Zea mays L. , selecao recorrente, populacao semiexotica, parâmetros geneticos.
Metagenomic analysis of enteric bacterial pathogens affecting the performance of dairy cows in smallholder productions systems

There is little information about the diversity of bacterial pathogens present in the rumen and feces of healthy cow and the subsequent effects on the performance of the host animal. The objectives of the present study were to genetically characterize the enteric bacterial pathogens found in the rumen fluid and cow feces and to identify the resistant genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance in the detected pathogens. The cow feces and rumen fluid samples (6 rumen fluid and 42 feces) were collected from lactating dairy cows. Using next generation sequencing, the enteric bacterial pathogens detected were screened for antimicrobial resistance genes using ResFinder-2.1 database in the center of Abricate. The characterized enteric bacterial pathogens include Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter fetus among others. Those enteric bacterial pathogens were also drug resistant bacteria except Campylobacter coli. The Campylobacter fetus fetus was identified as the only multidrug resistant bacterial pathogen detected in the cow feces. However, the abundant resistant genes detected confer resistance to tetracycline (17 genes from 209 contigs), beta-lactam (21 genes from 67 contigs), streptomycin (6 genes from 153 contigs), and sulfamethoxazole (2 genes from 72 contigs). This is the first study to identify the diversity of enteric bacterial pathogens from the station based and smallholder dairy cows in Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. Key words: Antimicrobial resistant genes, enteric bacterial pathogens, dairy cows, next generation sequencing.
In vitro metabolism of 4-methyl- and 5-methyl-2-mercaptobenzimidazole, thyrotoxic and hepatotoxic rubber antioxidants, in rat liver microsomes

The metabolism of 4-methyl-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (4-MeMBI), 5-methyl-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (5-MeMBI), and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) was examined in vitro in rat liver microsomes. The test chemicals were incubated in the presence of liver microsomes from male SpragueDawley rats, and their metabolism was analyzed by HPLC. The metabolism amount increased in an incubation time-dependent manner, and was similar among the test chemicals. SKF-525A, a non-selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, decreased the metabolic rate of all the test chemicals, indicating the involvement of liver microsomal CYP enzymes. When liver microsomes from rats treated with CYP-inducers (β-naphthoflavone, phenobarbital, and isoniazid) were used, 4-MeMBI was more decreased than 5-MeMBI, particularly in the phenobarbital-treated group. These results, together with the reported inducibility of the drug-metabolizing activity by the test chemicals, partly explained the counteraction in the toxic effects between 4-MeMBI and 5-MeMBI in the in vivo study.
Genetic parameters of variability and path analysis for morpho-physiological and seed vigour character in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An experiment was conducted to determine the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and direct and indirect effect for yield and its component traits in 40 wheat genotypes under irrigated condition. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters under studied. Plant drooping height exhibited highest GCV and PCV estimates followed by number of tillers per meter, flag leaf area, seed density and harvest index. Plant drooping height, number of tillers per meter, flag leaf area, arvest index, flag leaf length and seed density exhibited high genetic advance as per cent of mean along with high heritability estimates. Path analysis showed that thousands grain weight had highest positive direct as well as indirect contribution toward grain yield via grain weight per spike followed by flag leaf area followed by harvest index, flag leaf area and biological yield
Transcription apparatus of the yeast killer DNA plasmids: Architecture, function, and evolutionary origin

Transcription of extrachromosomal elements such as organelles, viruses, and plasmids is dependent on cellular RNA polymerase (RNAP) or intrinsic RNAP encoded by these elements. The yeast Kluyveromyces lactis contains killer DNA plasmids that bear putative non-canonical RNAP genes. Here, we describe the architecture and evolutionary origin of this transcription machinery. We show that the two RNAP subunits interact in vivo, and this complex interacts with another two plasmid-encoded proteins - the mRNA capping enzyme, and a putative helicase which interacts with plasmid-specific DNA. Further, we identify a promoter element that causes 5’ polyadenylation of plasmid-specific transcripts via RNAP slippage during transcription initiation, and structural elements that precede the termination sites. As a result, we present a first model of the yeast killer plasmid transcription initiation and intrinsic termination. Finally, we demonstrate that plasmid RNAP and its promoters display high similarity to poxviral RNAP and promoters of early poxviral genes, respectively.
Regeneration of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Clones from Mutagenic Treated Calli

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of the economically important crops widely cultivated in the tropics to subtropics and annually provides around 60 to 70% of the world’s sugar (Shah et al., 2009). Unfortunately, the production of this crop retained by several biotic and abiotic stresses such as bacterial and fungal diseases, drought, salinity, freezing etc. The improvement of sugarcane plant resistance to these stresses is of great importance. Genetic potential of a variety plays an important role in determining the stress resistance, yield and quality of it. Genetic variability is the key factor in any breeding method. The genetic variability created through conventional breeding techniques is slow and depend on recombination (Mascarenhas, 1991).
Phaleria macrocarpa (Boerl.) Scheff Fruit: A Potential Source of Natural Antioxidant

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl is originated from Papua Island, Indonesia. There have been only limited attempts to explore the biological properties of this plant in relation to their medicinal use. This study aimed to examine antioxidant activity of P. macrocarpa fruit. Extraction of pericarp and mesocarp of P. macrocarpa were performed using soxhlet method with ethyl acetate as the solvent. Antioxidant activity was characterized in various in vitro model systems, including DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant assay. We found that the highest amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were found in the pericarp (58.3±0.07 mg/g DW and 127.8±1.08 mg/g DW, respectively). The results showed that pericarp had higher antioxidant activity (IC50= 122.4±1.14 µg/ml) compared to mesocarp (IC50=175.48 ±1.75 µg/ml). In conclusion, the result of this study indicated the possible application of P. macrocarpa as a source of natural antioxidant compound. Keywords: antioxidant, Phaleria macrocarpa, phenolic compounds, flavonoids
Four new Licmophora species (Licmophorales), with a review of valve characters and exploration of cingulum characters, including a new septum type

Licmophora species are common epiphytes, with new species being discovered in under-sampled areas, and a need for a larger morphological character set for all species. In the rich flora of Guam, there are several distinctive new species, four of which we describe here, with a reconsideration and expansion of their useful taxonomic characters. Licmophora attenuata n. sp. formed large colonies on long mucilage stalks; narrowly cuneate valves, 209–339 µm long, were notable for a large, possibly hollow, spine, and the head-pole rimoportulae set back along the sternum. Licmophora bulbosa n. sp. was solitary or on short, branched mucilage stalks, with broadly cuneate valves, 95–122 µm long, with slightly inflated apices giving it a ‘turkey baster’ shape; valvocopulae bore a novel perforated silica ingrowth along the entire midrib, which we call a Tharngan strip. Licmophora curvata n. sp. attached by mucilage pads, the 87–170 µm long cells were distinctive by their curvature and 21–30 µm broad valves. Licmophora labianatis n. sp. was found in large colonies on long branched stalks, with 311–365 µm long valves that were distinctive for a delicate section mid-way along the valve where vimines were absent. Licmophora cells are heterovalvar and we define the ‘back’ frustule as the one with the basal rimoportula. Frustules are also heteropolar and thus have a left and right side. These terms do not correspond to epivalve/hypovalve and primary/secondary sides of valves and are useful for specifying locations of features. The Licmophora epitheca (i.e., the mature half of the frustule) has a cingulum comprising five copulae (a valvocopula + four pleurae) that differ from each other and between species; we describe their morphology in detail. Copular striae were often denser than valvar striae. Midribs were positioned symmetrically along the midline of the band, or asymmetrically, closer to one margin. Advalvar and abvalvar copular striae consisted of single slits or a series of pores (rimate vs porate) and the type often changed along the band. Midribs on valvocopulae transitioned in distinctive ways from the abvalvar side at the cell apex to the advalvar side. The 2nd and 4th pleurae (closed at the apex of the frustule, like the valvocopula) were sometimes very similar to one another but in other species the 4th pleura was reduced to an apical cap with a very narrow band. The 1st and 3rd pleurae, closed at the base, were usually distinct from one another in the size and shape of the open tips. The expanded set of valve + copula characters will be useful in resolving the taxonomy of the majority of short, straight Licmophora species, but studies of additional species are needed to narrow the list to the most useful copula characters.
Ecomorphological and phylogenetic controls on sympatry across extant bats

Macroecological patterns of sympatry can inform our understanding of how ecological and evolutionary processes govern species distributions. Following speciation, both intrinsic and extrinsic factors may determine how readily sympatry occurs. One possibility is that sympatry most readily occurs with ecological divergence, especially if broad‐scale co‐occurrence is mediated by niche differentiation. Time since divergence may also predict sympatry if hybridization and gene flow lead to the collapse of species boundaries between closely related taxa. Here, we test for ecological and phylogenetic predictors of sympatry across the global radiation of extant bats.
Characterization of Anti-microbial Compounds Isolated from Mangifera indica L seed kernel

Potential antimicrobial compounds from Mangifera indica L. seed kernel were isolated by the bioassay guided fractionation process and characterized by NMR and LC-MS. The extracts and isolated fractions were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the fungal strains Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Two phenolic compounds and two flavonoids were isolated from ethyl acetate extract and their chemical structure was elucidated.
Biology and performance of two indigenous larval parasitoids on Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Sudan

ABSTRACT Tuta absoluta is an alien invasive pest in Sudan. Since it was detected in the country, the pest continues to cause major tomato losses. Alarmed by its devastating nature and the speed of spread, tomato growers resorted to the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Promising indigenous parasitoid(s) may contribute to suppression of this pest. The biology and performance of the native parasitoids, Bracon nigricans Szépligeti (Braconidae) and Dolichogenidea appellator (Telenga) (Braconidae), was therefore evaluated against different immature stages of T. absoluta under laboratory conditions. A significantly higher number of fourth instar larvae was accepted for oviposition by B. nigricans. Similarly, fourth instar larvae yielded a considerably higher number of parasitoid offspring compared to third instar larvae. The male ratio of B. nigricans offspring which emerged from both larval instars was high, 0.96 and 0.66 for third and fourth instar larvae of T. absoluta, respectively. There was, however, no significant difference in the number of males and females that emerged from fourth instar larvae. Conversely, the number of hosts killed by stinging behaviour or host feeding was significantly higher on third instar larvae. B. nigricans potential fecundity varied with the age of the wasp with the lowest fecundity on the day of eclosion. The performance of D. appellator in terms of the total number of offspring produced and female progeny was similar for second and third instar larvae of T. absoluta. The preimaginal developmental time for both parasitoid species did not vary with either host stage or sex of the parasitoid. B. nigricans adult longevity was similar for both sexes, while that of D. appellator significantly varied with females living longer than males. Prospects for conservative biological control of T. absoluta are discussed in the light of the results of this study.