Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maize growth and production as influenced by earthwormbased integrated soil fertility management in tropical agroecosystems

Objectives : To investigate (i) the role of earthworm communities in the integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) theory, and (ii) the mechanisms underlying the positive impact of earthworms on maize production. Methodology and results : A field mesocosm experiment was set up in a degraded agro-ecosystem in semideciduous forest areas in Central-West Cote d’Ivoire. Earthworm communities were composed of the association of decompacting ( Hyperiodrilus africanus ) and compacting ( Millsonia omodeoi ) native species known to be main species in natural populations and regulating soil structure in the area. In the presence of earthworms, there were significant increases in (i) maize growth 30 days after planting, and (ii) maize production (aboveground biomass, grains and root biomass). This significant impact was enhanced with inorganic fertilizers and/or earthworm inoculations. The increase in maize production in earthworm-based treatments is likely to be explained by increasing root biomass production, phosphorus and water use efficiency associated with earthworm engineering activities. Conclusions and potential application of findings : These findings highlight the crucial role played by earthworms in the ISFM theory through their engineering activities by enhancing the use of water and mineral fertilizers by maize roots. Farmers should encourage proliferation of earthworm populations in their fields as these fauna are important for sustainable agriculture production in agricultural systems.
Componentes alimenticios de podocnemis unifilis y p. Expansa (testudines: podocnemididae) en el resguardo curare-los ingleses, amazonas, colombia

Studies of the diet of aquatic turtles are important to develop and to base management plans and habitat preservation. This study aims to allow the identification of the diet of Podocnemis unifilis and Podocnemis expansa. The methods were routes of identification in the varzea (flooding forest), near to the beach (low waters), ascending and descending waters near to lakes and tributaries of the Caqueta river (Colombian Amazon). Data were collected with semi structured interviews with indigenous communities of Curare-Los Ingleses and by analysis of items of stomach contents from hunted turtles. Fruits and seeds were the principal diet of both species. The more important families were Bignoniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Mimosaceae, and Cecropiaceae in P. unifilis, and for P. expansa were Fabaceae, Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Cecropiaceae; all plant material was identified by Sede Amazonia and the Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Thirty four of the identified plant species mentioned by local people for P. expansa 64% was coincident with food items documented , likewise of the 26 identified plant species referred to by local people for P. unifilis 80% was localized in stomach contents.
Diurnal fluctuations in population density of rotifera in relation to some physical and chemical parameters from Karun river, Khuzestan Province, Iran

Iranian freshwater biodiversity especially with regard to invertebrates is poorly known. In the present investigation, the diurnal fluctuation of some physico-chemical parameters i.e. air and water temperature, pH, water current, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total hardness, in relation to surface water density of rotifers in Karun river, was studied. The study covered four diel (24 h) periods for three months from October to December 2010. In this investigation phylum Rotifera were represented with two classes (Monogononta and Bdelloide). The maximum population density of species was recorded for Brachionus havanaensis (96), and the minimum for Limnias melicerta (22). The month wise study showed the maximum population density in December and 18 h. while it was minimum for October and 12h. It seems that, the Temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and the water current are responsible for population density.
Comunidade de abelhas (Hymenoptera, Apidae) e plantas associadas em área de mata atlântica em São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brasil

A comunidade de abelhas nativas em uma area de mata atlântica no sul do Brasil foi estudada no periodo 2001-2003, utilizando-se rede entomologica em plantas floridas. Foram amostrados 1.519 individuos de 80 especies e 4 subfamilias de abelhas. Houve predominio de especies de Apinae nao corbiculadas e Halictinae e de individuos de Apinae corbiculados e Halictinae. As plantas associadas totalizaram 124 especies de 46 familias, das quais as mais visitadas foram Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae e Melastomataceae. Foram amostradas 11 especies de abelhas nao assinaladas para Santa Catarina. As abelhas mais amostradas foram Apis mellifera , Trigona spinipes , Bombus morio , Dialictus sp. , Augochloropsis sp. 07, Trigona braueri , Augochlora (Oxystoglossella) sp. 05 e Tetragonisca angustula . A quantidade de individuos amostrados por mes, ao longo do periodo de coleta, evidencia um padrao bivoltino (maio e setembro-novembro). Algumas especies de plantas foram visitadas apenas por Apis mellifera . Os indices de diversidade e equabilidade ficaram em 2,315 e 0,528, respectivamente. A curva de acumulacao mostrou-se crescente. Os estimadores de riqueza apontam mais especies. A riqueza e a abundância evidenciam um padrao de atividade de clima temperado. A composicao da apifauna demonstrou maior similaridade com formacao de floresta ombrofila densa de terras baixas.
Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages in a Transgenic Corn–Soybean Cropping System

Abstract Ground beetles often prey on crop pests, and their relative abundance and assemblages vary among cropping systems and pest management practices. We used pitfall traps arranged in transects to study ground beetle assemblages in a large field-scale Bt corn–soybean cropping system for 3 yr. The transgenic corn expressed the Cry1Ab protein targeting lepidopteran pests. Three of the 57 ground beetle species collected accounted for 81% of all individuals captured. Six other species accounted for an additional 14% of all beetles captured. Ground beetles were captured equally in cornfields and soybean fields. They also were captured most frequently at field edges, but many were captured within field centers. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to arrange ground beetles along environmental gradients. Years 2001 and 2002 were the primary variables separating assemblages of ground beetles along the first canonical axis. The second canonical axis further separated the 2000 assemblage of ground beetles. With the effects of year and field removed, ground beetles were classified with respect to crop association and distance into the fields along axes 1 and 2 of a partial canonical correspondence analysis. Based on this analysis, ground beetles occupying the Bt cornfields were separated from those occupying soybean fields along the first canonical axis. The second canonical axis separated beetles occupying the field borders from field interiors. Ground beetles ordinating near the center of the axes may represent habitat generalists, and because of their high relative abundances, continuous seasonal activity, predatory nature, and ability to occupy field centers, they could assist in the biological control of agricultural pests.
Zebrafish as a novel animal model for evaluating the human gastrointestinal microbiota in autism spectrum disorder

ZEBRAFISH AS A NOVEL ANIMAL MODEL FOR EVALUATING THE HUMAN GASTROINTESTINAL MICROBIOTA IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER Advisors: Michael Che-Wo Toh Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe University of Guelph, 2015 Dr. Terence van Raay The bacterial community (or microbiota) that resides in the human gastrointestinal tract is known to have many effects on human physiology. It has been implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), since several changes in the gut microbiota of ASD individuals have been reported in the literature. However, methods to investigate the possible effects of the gut microbiota on the developing nervous system have not been forthcoming. The overall objective of this thesis project was to determine the value of zebrafish as a method of interrogating the effects of the gut microbiota from ASD individuals on behaviour and neural development. Towards this goal we first attempted to colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of 5 day old, germfree zebrafish with bacterial strains originally isolated from human sources, and we successfully established 2 species – Lactobacillus paracasei and Eubacterium limosum. In a parallel study, we surveyed the gut microbiota of migrant Somali families (a community that exhibits a high incidence of ASD) and found that bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were significantly more prevalent in the ASD gut microbiota. We also assessed metabolic products of the human gut microbiota for their effects on zebrafish, with a particular focus on short-chain fatty acids, which are a group of metabolites whose abundance is altered in individuals with ASD. We found that one such metabolite, propionate, had dramatic effects on both behaviour and neural gene expression in week-old developing zebrafish. From these experiments we determined that the flexibility and sensitivity of the zebrafish model is well suited for a wide range of microbiological, metabolomic, and genetic studies. In conclusion, the use of zebrafish for microbial ecology research (particularly in the context of neurobehavioural disorders such as ASD) is supported.
Seed coat texture, host species and time of application affect the efficacy of essential oils applied for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored pulses

The effects of the texture of seed coats of three pulse cultivars, of which two, TVu12349 (wrinkled cowpea) and Borno brown (rough cowpea) belonged to Vigna unguiculata, and one, Bunmonu (smooth bambara groundnut) belonged to Vigna subterranea, as well as pre-and post-oviposition application on the efficacy of the essential oils of clove (Syzgium aromaticum), West African black pepper (WABP) (Piper guineense) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), against oviposition and development of Callosobruchus maculatus, were investigated under prevailing storage conditions (32-35°C and 40-50% RH) and 24 h darkness in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Seed coat texture influenced the bioactivity of the essential oils, especially clove oil, against oviposition and the proportion of C. maculatus adults that emerged significantly more than host species: the mean numbers of eggs laid on the smooth-seeded Bunmonu, the rough-seeded Borno brown and the wrinkled TVu12349 were 16.9, 16.7 and 24.2%, respectively; adult emergence was 31.1% in the wrinkled TVu12349, 45.3% in the rough-seeded Borno brownand 10.2% in the smooth-seeded Bunmonu. The smooth-seeded Bunmonu reduced oviposition in seeds treated with clove oil by 91.4% and 98.4% relative to the mean number of eggs laid in the rough-seeded and the wrinkled Tvu12349, respectively; comparable figures of oviposition reduction by Bunmonu in untreated seeds were 4.8 and 15.9% relative to the mean number of eggs laid in Borno brown and Tvu12349, respectively. Both pre-and post-oviposition application of the essential oils significantly suppressed oviposition and/or adult emergence. In the pre-oviposition application, treatment of bambaranut seeds with clove, WABP and ginger oils at the rate of 1 mg/5 g seed reduced the mean number of eggs laid by C. maculatus by 70.7, 98.7 and 86.2%, respectively, relative to the number of eggs laid in untreated seeds. Post-oviposition treatments were, however, more effective on average, than pre-oviposition treatments in reducing the proportion of C. maculatus adults that emerged. In the post-oviposition application, no adult C. maculatus emerged in bambaranut seeds treated with clove oil at the rate of 0.5 or 1 mg/5 g seed.
Ghrelin enhances viability of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37°C

Summary Antioxidant properties of ghrelin have been demonstrated in recent studies. In the present study, the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on the motility and plasma membrane integrity of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37oC were investigated. Thirty 45-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups. Rats in the treatment group were daily injected subcutaneously with 1 nmol of ghrelin for 10 consecutive days and the control rats received normal saline. Sperm was collected after killing of rats on days 5, 15 and 40 after the last injection, and sperm characteristics were examined at 0, 3 and 5 h after incubation at 37oC. Mass motility and forward progressive movement of spermatozoa were significantly higher in ghrelin-treated animals at 3 and 5 h of incubation on day 5 (P<0.05). After 3 h of incubation on day 15, only mass motility was greater than that of the control group. Plasma membrane integrity was assessed by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) “water test”. The mean value of HOS reacted spermatozoa was higher in the treatment group on days 5 and 15 during 0, 3 and 5 h of incubation (P<0.05). However, the percentage of HOS-positive spermatozoa was not significantly different on day 40 between groups. There was a high correlation at 3 and 5 h of day 5 between the forward progressive movement (r = 0.92 and 0.94, P<0.0001) as well as overall sperm motility (r = 0.78 and 0.81, P<0.01) with HOS test in the ghrelin-treated animals. These results can be attributed to the antioxidative effects of ghrelin on the rat sperm especially on its plasma membrane which probably protects the sperm plasma membrane against oxidative damage during incubation and causes subsequent significant increase in the HOS test results. This may result in higher sperm motility index during 5 h of incubation.
Effect of seed size and drought stress on germination and seedling growth of naked oat (Avena sativa L.).

MUT, Z. and H. AKAY, 2010. Effect of seed size and drought stress on germination and seedling growth of naked oat (Avena sativa L.). Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 16: 459-467 Effects of seed size and osmotic stress on germination and seedling growth of five naked oat genotypes were investigated in this study. Oat genotypes were Mozart, CROA 60, Detvan, Eva 1 and AC Belmont. Small, medium and large seeds of five naked oat genotypes were germinated in polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) solutions with initial osmotic potentials ranging from 0 to -0.75 MPa at 8°C. Final germination percentage, median germination time, root length and shoot length were measured in this study. In all genotypes examined, decreasing seed size and osmotic potential increased median germination time (MGT) and decreased final germination percentage (FGP), root and shoot length. Among genotypes, CROA 60, Eva 1 and AC Belmont had the highest final germination percentage while AC Belmont had the fastest median germination time and the highest root and shoot length. The study results also show that large seed of genotype such as AC Belmont seems better fitted to germinate under the range of osmotic potential in this study.
Resveratrol alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus of rats subjected to global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion: Comparison with vitamin E

Resveratrol is a dietary polyphenol present in nuts and dried fruits. It is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; these properties led researchers to investigate its protective effects in several animal models of neurological disease, particularly those in which inflammation and oxidative stress may play a role in their pathogenesis. Thus it seemed interesting to study the possible neuro-protective effect of resveratrol and vitamin E in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced hippocampal damage in brains of rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n=10); groups 1 and 2 were given 0.5 ml (1% tween 80, po) while groups 3 and 4 were treated with vitamin E (100 mg/kg, po) and resveratrol (10 mg/kg po), respectively. All treatments were administered for 14 days and on the 15th day of the experiment, animals were anaesthetized with thiopental (50 mg/kg, ip) and IR was induced by occlusion of both carotid arteries for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for another 60 min in all groups except for the sham-operated group. At the end of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and brains removed, hippocampi isolated and homogenized in ice cold saline for estimation of lactate dehydrogenase activity, oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total nitrate/nitrite and total antioxidant capacity) and inflammatory biomarkers (myeloperoxidase activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 contents). Resveratrol and vitamin E protected against oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammation associated with IR injury. Key words: Vitamin E, resveratrol, ischemia/reperfusion, stroke.
Pre-laying nutrition of sage grouse hens in Oregon.

Diet, dietary selection, and nutritional composition of the food of sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) hens were determined during the pre-laying period in southeastern Oregon in 1990 an 1991. We collected 42 female sage grouse during a 5-week period preceding incubation (4 March-8 April). Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) was the most common among 21 foods consumed but forbs composed 18 to 50% of the diet by weight. Desert-parsley (Lomatium spp.), hawksbeard (Crepis spp.), long-leaf phlox (Phlox longifolia Nutt.), everlasting (Antennaria spp.), mountain-dandelion (Agoseris spp.), clover (Trifolium spp.), Pursh's milk-vetch (Astragalus purshii Dougl.), buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), and obscure milk-vetch (A. obscurus) were the primary (greater than or equal to 1% of the diet by weight) forbs consumed. Forbs were used selectively over sagebrush in both low and big sagebrush cover types. All forbs were higher in crude protein and phosphorus and many were higher in calcium than sagebrush. Consumption of forbs increased nutrient content of the composite diet. Substantially fewer forbs were present in the diet in 1991 than in 1990, which coincided with reduced sage grouse productivity on the study area. These results suggest that consumption of forbs during the pre-laying period may effect reproductive success by improving nutritional status of hens.
The use of honey locust pods as a silage additive for alfalfa forage.

Bu arastirma, yonca (Medicago sativa L.) silajinda karbonhidrat kaynagi olarak kullanilan gladicya meyvesi (GM)’nin laboratuvar kosullarinda yapilan silajlarin fermantasyon, aerobik stabilite, in vitro gaz uretimi, mikrobiyolojik ozellikleri uzerindeki etkilerinin saptanmasi amaci ile yapilmistir. Arastirmada kullanilan yonca tam ciceklenme doneminde hasat edilmis ve yaklasik 1.5-2.0 cm boyutunda dogranan taze materyale 0 (kontrol), 20, 40, 60, 80 ve 100 g/kg KM duzeyinde GM katilmistir. Yoncaya GM ilavesi, elde edilen silajlarin ham besin maddeleri bilesimini etkilemistir (P<0.01). Yoncaya katilan GM duzeyinin artisina bagli olarak silajlarin ham protein (HP), ham yag (HY), ham kul (HK), notr deterjan lif (NDF) ve asit deterjan lif (ADF) icerigi azalmis, suda cozunebilir karbonhidrat (SCK) ve toplam tanen (TT) icerigi artmistir (P<0.01). Gladicya meyvesi ilavesi silajlarin pH, asetik asit, butirik asit ve amonyak azotu (NH3-N) konsantrasyonlarini dusururken, laktik asit ve propiyonik asit duzeylerini artirmistir (P<0.01). Ayni sekilde GM ilavesi silajlarin in vitro gaz uretimi, sindirilebilir organik madde (SOM), metabolik enerji (ME) ile laktik asit bakterileri (LAB) ve maya sayilarini artirmis, kuf sayisini ise dusurmustur (P<0.05). Diger yandan GM silajlardaki CO2 uretimini dusurerek silajlarin aerobik stabilitelerini gelistirmistir. Arastirma sonucunda, yoncada karbonhidrat kaynagi olarak 80 ile 100 g/kg KM duzeyinde GM kullanilabilecegi belirlenmistir.
Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity and residual soil-fertility status under different rice (Oryza sativa)- pulse cropping systems in rainfed lateritic belt of West Bengal

A field trial was conducted on red and laterite soil of Sekhampur, West Bengal, during June 1996—April 1998, to evaluate the prospect of growing rice (Oryza sativa L.)-pulse sequence under rainfed condition and study the effect of residual soil-fertility status on pulses inoculated with or without Rhizobium sp. Higher yield and yield attributes of rainy-season rice, lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), gram (Cicer arietinum L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) crops were achieved where 25% of chemical fertilizer in rainy-season rice was replaced either by FYM or rice straw @ 3.0 or 3.65 tonnes/ha. Addition of FYM or decomposed straw of rice improved the N, P, K status of the soil. Seed inoculation of pulses with Rhizobium sp. also played a positive role towards the total crop productivity and residual soil-fertility status.
Effect of aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata on liver tumor

Objectives : Present investigation was designed to know whether the reported hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata (AP) can be used for delaying the onset of liver cancerous changes as well as the reversibility of tumorogenic condition in Swiss in breed male mice. Methods :The aqueous extract was given orally to the animals suffering from liver damage - ultimately leading to tumour, induced by hexachloro cyclohexane (BHC). The histopathology and the various biochemical constituents were monitored. The parameters like protein and liver marker enzyme SGPT, SGOT and alkaline phosphatase were analysed at different time intervals. Results : SGPT, SGOT and alkaline phosphatase were found to be significantly high and the protein concentrations were reduced in BHC treated animals.The liver marker enzymes were found to be lowered in animals which were supplemented with the AP extract. Protein levels which were found to decrease on BHC treatment have shown an increase with AP supplementation. Conclusion :These results further confirm the hepato-protective property of AP and its probable role in delaying the hepatic turnerogenic condition.
Taxonomy, Distribution and Diversity of Phytoplankton in Some Water Bodies in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Three different river microenvironments were analysed over a period of six months for phytoplankton communities and underlying water parameters. Running water, alluvial based, agriculturally impacted sample station (NDA - Nigerian Defence Academy stream, Afaka ), running water, rocky based, domestic activity impacted station (GTC - Government Technical College stream, Malali) and an impounded lake, veterinary impacted station (ABU - school of agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University dam, Mando) in Kaduna were studied with the aim of identifying, classifying and exploring the diversity and distribution of the algal species in the study areas. The result showed that station NDA had the highest value of species richness making up 38.24% (65 species) of overall observed species in the studied areas. Station GTC recorded 43 species making up to 25.29% and Station ABU contained 36.47% of the sample with 62 species. A total of 170 species of phytoplankton in general and seven taxonomic groups were collected. Of this total, the Chlorophyta had the highest number of species (90 species), followed by Bacillariophyta with 46 species and are showed in this order: Chlorophyta > Bacillariophyta > Cyanophyta > Euglenophyta > Rhodophyta > Dinophyta & Chrysophyta. There were remarkable variations of physico – chemical parameters and significant difference in the sampling sites (p < 0.05). Keywords : Phytoplankton, Communities, Aquatic Environments, Kaduna, Nigeria.