Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Long-Duration Stewing Combined with Different Cooking and Heating Methods on the Quality of Pork Belly

This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-duration stewing combined with pre-frying and different heating methods on meat quality of pork belly. Pork belly cubes were pretreated differently (frying or not) and stewed by different combinations of heating method (induction heating or flame heating). Pre-frying combined with flame heating had the greater texture (P < 0.01) and sensory evaluation scores. Cooking increased the percentages of protein, fat loss, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-6 fatty acids, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and peroxide values (P < 0.05) but decreased the fat percentages of pork belly. Pre-frying combined with flame heating resulted in lower total saturated fatty acid (SFA) percentages, atherogenic indices and thrombogenic indices but higher percentages of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), PUFA and PUFA/SFA ratio (P < 0.01). The results indicated that long-duration stewing with pre-frying combined with flame heating would favor improving the wholesomeness of pork belly. Practical Applications Pork belly is the lower value carcass cut in the West because of its high fat content. However, pork belly is still popular in eastern market as it is being manufactured into stewed pork (Hongshaorou), one of the most famous traditional meat products in China. The preparation methods of stewed pork was shown to improve eating quality and fat nutritional values, especially the method of pre-frying combined with flame heating, which have potential health benefits in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases compared with raw belly. The results of the study may provide health information to consumers and may increase the value of pork belly in the West.
Corridors affect dispersal initiation in reintroduced peregrine falcons

We reintroduced 33 peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) at two release areas with contrasting habitat configurations to assess landscape influences on dispersal. One site (Daniel Boone National Forest) had non‐forested corridors within a forest matrix, whereas the other site (Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve) had forested corridors within an agricultural matrix. We used aerial telemetry and ground observation to assess differences in dispersal between sites and we used multivariate statistical analyses to detect combinations of response variables depicting landscape influences. Non‐forested corridors at Daniel Boone affected post‐fledging movements and initiation of dispersal, whereas no discernable pattern in dispersal initiation was observed at Dorman Preserve. Results included significant (p<0.05) differences between peregrines at Daniel Boone and Dorman Preserve in x̄± SD post‐fledging area (PFA) size (2643.5±2599.0 and 931.7±732.1 ha, respectively), maximum movement distances (12.9±13.9 and 6.1±4.6 km, respectively), orientation of movements (second‐order x̄ angle±95% confidence interval (CI)=280.8±58.6 (non‐random orientation) and 358.8±98.8 (random orientation), respectively), time spent on the PFA (16.0±12.2 and 31.0±3.3 days, respectively) and selection of agricultural habitats (Euclidean distance vectors ρ=0.66 and ρ=2.50, respectively). Selection of agriculture by peregrines released on Daniel Boone reflected selection of corridors as part of pre‐dispersal movement. These results, coupled with generally unorientated movement behaviour by Dorman Preserve peregrines, provided evidence for an influence of functional landscape connectivity on dispersal in peregrines.
Moisture stress impact on N partitioning, N remobilization and N-use efficiency in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

SUMMARY Field and glasshouse studies were conducted in Durango, Mexico in 1987 and in East Lansing, Michigan, USA in 1989, respectively, to determine the effects of moisture deficits upon N-use efficiency (NUE), N partitioning and remobilization, and N harvest index (NHI) in edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Four indeterminate, semi-prostrate genotypes adapted to the semi-arid high plains of Mexico, Pinto Nacional-1, Durango 222, L1213–2 and Bayo Madero, were used in the field study and Pinto Nacional-1 and Bayo Madero were used in the glasshouse study. A Xerosol Haplic soil was used in the field study and a Spinks loamy sand in the glasshouse study. A moisture deficit was induced by use of temporary rainshelters in the field and curtailment of water in the glasshouse. Plants were sampled periodically and subdivided into leaves, stems, pods and flowers, and roots (in the glasshouse study only) for determination of dry weight and total N content. Water-use efficiency was determined in the glasshouse study. A moderate moisture deficit (drought intensity index 0·41) reduced yield by 41% in comparison with non-stressed yield (from 134·3 down to 79·2 g/m2) and resulted in a greater percentage of seed-N derived from N that had been redistributed from the leaf, indicating that N partitioning was not impaired by this degree of stress. In contrast, N remobilization was greatly reduced by a more severe moisture deficit (drought intensity index 0·92), which resulted in yield losses of 92% (from 2·19 down to 0·17 g/pot). These results suggest that N remobilization may be an important drought adaptation strategy under moderate or intermittent moisture deficits. Severe moisture deficits reduced NHI, harvest index (HI), NUE and water-use efficiency (WUE) when WUE was expressed as seed dry weight per litre water used. Genotypic variability was observed for NHI, HI and NUE.
Efficient micropropagation protocol for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. 'Elliot'

Blueberries have a high nutritional value and strong antioxidant properties, qualities which account for their increasing request on the food and pharmaceutical markets. Cultivar 'Elliot' has a balanced content of active substances. It is also a late ripening cultivar suitable for long Transylvanian winters, which makes it a good candidate for large scale cultivation in this region. Because traditional propagation methods of highbush blueberry have several drawbacks, studies for creating an efficient micropropagation protocol were initiated. Dormant buds were used as initial explants for shoot regeneration while axillary and adventitious microshoots were further used for the proliferation stage. The influence of several plant growth regulators (2-iP, Zeatin, BAP) in relation with the explant positioning into media was investigated in order to ensure the highest proliferation rate. WPM supplemented with zeatin 2 mg l -1 and 2-iP 5 mg l -1 along with horizontal microshoot positioning gave the best proliferation rate, with an average of 17.9 shoots/explant. In vitro obtained leaves were tested for their regeneration capacity. The use of 2-iP 10 mg l -1 produced up to 90% regeneration rate. The best variant consisted in abaxial leaf positioning which resulted in 50% direct regeneration rate and an average of 6.5 shoots/initial explant. The maximum proliferation rate was recorded for adaxial positioning (26 shoots/initial explant). Direct ex vitro acclimatization and rooting in hydroculture were also tested with very good results.
Cropping system effects on giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) demography: I. Green manure and tillage timing

Abstract Manipulation of cropping systems to improve weed management requires a better understanding of how crop- and soil-related factors affect weed life cycles. Our objective was to assess the impacts of timing of primary tillage and use of legume green manure on giant foxtail demography and soil properties. We measured giant foxtail seed survival and dormancy, seedling emergence and survival, and fecundity, in addition to soil phytotoxicity, chemical properties affecting soil fertility and soil water, in the transition between the wheat and corn phases of a wheat–corn–soybean crop sequence. Postdispersal predation of giant foxtail seeds was measured in all three phases of the crop sequence. Wheat was grown either as a sole crop (W) or underseeded with red clover (R), and residues from this phase were rototilled either in the fall (FT) or in spring (ST). There were strong interactions between Red clover and Tillage timing in their effects on giant foxtail recruitment and fecundity in corn. Giant foxtail seedling emergence was 30% lower, and time to 50% emergence was more than 1 wk later, in the ST/R treatment than in the ST/W, FT/W, and FT/R treatments, which did not differ. However, fecundity of giant foxtail was 200% greater in the ST/R treatment than in the other three treatments because of suppressed early corn growth. The net effect of the ST/R treatment on giant foxtail demography in corn was to greatly increase inputs to the seedbank compared with the ST/W, FT/W, and FT/R treatments. Giant foxtail demography in the wheat phase was also affected by Red clover. There was a 200% increase in daily rates of postdispersal seed predation in the wheat phase of the R treatment compared with the W treatment. High-seed predation in the wheat phase and low fecundity in the corn phase of the FT/R treatment suggest that population growth rate of giant foxtail will be lower in this treatment than in the other treatments. The degree of soil phytotoxicity from red clover residues, the changes in the amount of interference from the corn crop early in the growing season, and the differential suitability of crop residues in the different rotations as habitat for seed predators all contributed to changes in giant foxtail demography. Understanding the effects of cropping system characteristics on entire weed life cycles will facilitate the design of integrated suites of complementary weed management tactics. Nomenclature: Giant foxtail, Setaria faberi Herrm. SETFA; corn, Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3512’; red clover, Trifolium pratense L. ‘Cherokee’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘IA 2039’; spring wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ‘Sharp’.
Alternative splicing regulation in programmed cell death and neurological disorders: A systems biology approach

Alternative splicing (AS) is a major source of biological diversity and a crucial determinant of cell fate and identity. Characterizing the role of AS regulatory networks in physiological and pathological processes remains challenging. The work presented here addresses this challenge using systems biology analyses of AS regulatory networks in programmed cell death and neurological disorders. The first study describes a genome-wide screen based on splicing-sensitive reporters to identify factors that affect the AS of apoptosis regulators Bclx and Mcl1. The screen identified over 150 factors that affect apoptosis through modulating the proand anti-apoptotic splicing variants of these apoptosis regulators. This screen revealed a new functional connection between apoptosis regulation and cell-cycle control through an AS network. It also unearthed many disease-associated factors as AS effectors. The second study describes the functions of the Polyglutamine-binding protein 1 (PQBP1)-mediated AS regulatory network in neurological disorders. PQBP1 is a factor linked to intellectual disability and was unexpectedly identified as an AS effector from the screen described above. We found that PQBP1 influences the splicing of many mRNAs and is associated with a wide range of splicing factors. Depletion of PQBP1 in mouse primary cortical neurons caused defects in neurite outgrowth and altered AS of mRNAs enriched for functions in neuron projection regulation. Disease-mutants of PQBP1 lose associations with splicing factors and cannot complement the aberrant AS
Correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and its component in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm

Due to the lack of information on genetic diversity in Ethiopian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm and the need to study association among seed yield and related components, fifteen genotypes were grown at Sinana Agricultural Research Center and on two farmers’ field at Sinja and Adaba, south Eastern Ethiopia in 2007/08 cropping season. At Sinana, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/pod and plant height showed significant association with seed yield per plot. Whereas At Adaba, thousand seed weight showed significant association with seed yield per plot. Path analysis for seed yield per plot at Sinana indicates number of pod/plants, seed per pod, thousand seed weight, stand percent and plant height had high positive direct effect at genotypic level. At Sinja, days to flower, days to maturity and number of pods/plant had positive direct effect on seed yield per plot whereas at Adaba stand percentage, days to flower, days to maturity, number of seeds/pod and thousand seed weight showed positive direct effect on seed yield per plot. Path analysis indicates that number of seeds/pod and thousand seed weight were the main determinants of yield per plot at Sinana and Adaba. Key words: Path analysis, direct and indirect effects, correlation.
Methyl 1,2-Orthoesters as Useful Glycosyl Donors in Glycosylation Reactions: A Comparison with n-Pent-4-enyl 1,2-Orthoesters

Mannopyranose-derived methyl 1,2-orthoacetates (R = Me) and -benzoates (R = Ph) can function as glycosyl donors – upon BF3·Et2O activation in CH2Cl2 – in glycosylation reactions with monosaccharide acceptors to afford disaccharides in good yields. In the process, glycosylation is preferred to acid-catalyzed rearrangement leading to methyl mannopyranosides. Methyl 1,2-orthoesters can be also used in regioselective glycosylation protocols with monosaccharide diols, in which they display good regioselectivity.
RESEARCH ARTICLE ISOLATION, INDENTIFICATION OF PSEUDOMONAS PSEUDOALICALIGENES GR1 FROM MARINE SEDIMENTS AND SCREENING OF ITS ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL

In the present study, 20 different bacterial species were isolated from offshore seawater and sediment of Koodankulam coast, Gulf of Mannar, South East coast of India. The isolated bacteria were subjected to screening by cross streaking method against ten different human pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae and the isolated bacteria. The results showed potential activity against three different human bacterial pathogen namely Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. The culture was extracted using ethyl acetate, n-butanol, hexane, chloroform and screened for antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method. Among the different solvents ethyl extract showed the broad spectrum of activity against all ten human pathogens (ST5). The strain ST5 was subjected for morphological and potential molecular identification based on 16s rDNA sequencing.
Corumbataia britskii (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) a new species from the upper Rio Paraná basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil

A new Hypoptopomatinae, Corumbataia britskii, is described based on specimens recently collected in a tributary of the upper Rio Parana basin, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Corumbataia britskii differs from its congeners by having a more depressed head profile (vs. a more rounded head profile in C. cuestae and C. tocantinensis), by having a more developed and conspicuous tuft of enlarged odontodes on the tip of the supraoccipital (vs. its reduced condition found in C. cuestae and C. tocantinensis), and by heaving a partially enclosed arrector fossae (vs. an almost completely enclosed arrector fossae in C. cuestae and C. tocantinensis).
What drove tuna catches between 1525 and 1756 in southern Europe

From 1525 to 1756, catches of tuna in almadrabas (trapnets) fluctuated greatly, but the overall trend was a downwards one. The aim of this study is to assess the potential influence of climatic factors on tuna fishing. We performed time-series analysis of the climate over the years 1525 – 1756 and determined whether such events can be related to historical data on bluefin tuna catches in the almadrabas of Medina Sidonia. We used a generalized linear model to relate the tuna catches to climatic parameters. We carried out variance partitioning analysis of tuna catches to assess the relative contribution of climate from temporal autocorrelation. The temporal autocorrelation in tuna catches was used as a surrogate for the contribution of the population dynamics to variation in the catch series. The results indicated that climate accounted for up to 12.3% of the total variance, the temporal effects (autocorrelation) accounted for up to 38.8% of the total variance, and up to 35.7% of the catch was accounted for by the joint effect of the two components. The significant variance accounted for by climate suggests that low temperatures during the Maunder minimum (the so-called “The Little Ice Age”, years 1640 – 1715) may have reduced both recruitment and abundance of tuna in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Our findings suggest that both environmental and population dynamic components played an important role in regulating the almadraba catches in Medina Sidonia.
NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF IPOMEA, CENTROSEMA, PUERARIA, EMILIA AND TRIDAX FORAGES IN MIXED FEEDS FOR WEANER RABBITS

Five forage species Ipomea batata , Centrosema pubescens , Pueraria phaseoloide , Emilia sonchifolia and Tridax procumbens were evaluated for growth promotion in a mixed feeding regime comprising 50g of rabbit pellet plus forage ( ad libitum ). Thirty weaner rabbits (6 weeks old) were randomly assigned in a completely randomised design in equal groups of six rabbits (2 bucks and 4 does) to the forages during a 12 -week feeding trial at the University of Calabar Livestock Research Farm. Results showed significant (P 0.05) differences were observed in the mean daily dry matter intake, the values of which ranged between 75.26 and 80.30g. While the initial body weights were not significantly different, the forages had significant effect on the final bodyweight of the rabbits with the values of 2365.20g ( lpoemea ), 2179.74g ( Centrosema ), 1662.45g ( Pueraria ), 1862.02g ( Emilia ) aad 2352.72g (Tridax). Key wonds: - Forages, pellet, mixed feeding, growth, rabbit weaners.
Character association and path analysis in hip rose (Rosa sp.) genotypes collected from North Western Himalayan region of Kashmir

Thirty six genotypes of hip rose (Rosa sp.) collected from different areas of Kashmir valley and studied for nine polygenic characters. These revealed higher PCV than corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for plant height, fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, pulp content, pulp to seed ratio, TSS and number of seeds. High heritability accompanied by moderate to high genetic gain and GCV were observed for plant height and yield which could be improved by selection in early generations. Fruit diameter (74.2%), fruit length (80.4%), fruit weight (79.9%) exhibited high heritability coupled with moderate GCV and low genetic gain which needs selection over several successive generations following hybridization for their edification. Genotypic correlations were of higher magnitude to the corresponding phenotypic ones, thereby establishing strong inherent relationship among the characters studied. The phenotypic and genotypic associations of fruit diameter was significantly positive with fruit weight (r = 0.337, 0.418), fruit pulp weight (r = 0.429, 0.507), number of seeds per fruit (r = 0.259, 0.0.406) and plant height (r = 384, 0.417). However, fruit length were significantly linked with fruit weight, pulp weight and fruit flesh ratio. Overall path analysis indicated that highest positive direct effect was showed by average fruit weight (6.694) followed by fruit flesh ratio (3.103), number of seeds per fruit (1.201), plant height (0.993), and fruit length (0.426); however, fruit diameter (-0.327), pulp weight (-8.319) and TSS (-0.529) showed negative direct effects on total hips yield which should be considered simultaneously for amenability in rose hips yield in Rosa species. Key words: Character association, Rosa sp. , path analysis, North Western Himalayan, Kashmir.
GnRH II as a possible cytostatic regulator in the development of endometriosis

BACKGROUND GnRH II is the second form of GnRH and is widely distributed in peripheral tissues of the female reproductive tract as well as in the central nervous system. In the present study, we studied the possible implication of GnRH II in endometriosis. METHODS Effects of GnRH II on 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake by cultured endometriotic stromal cells were examined. Effects of GnRH II on interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and IL-8 were also studied. mRNA levels of GnRH I, GnRH II, type I GnRH receptor and type II GnRH receptor were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in endometrial tissues of women with or without endometriosis and in endometriotic tissues. RESULTS GnRH II dose-dependently suppressed BrdU uptake by endometrial stromal cells. Treatment with IL-1beta markedly increased mRNA levels of COX-2 and IL-8 in endometrial stromal cells and IL-8 protein secretion by these cells, while these increments were significantly suppressed by supplementation with GnRH II. The mRNA levels of GnRH II were lower in endometrial and endometriotic tissues of women with endometriosis than in endometrial tissues of women without endometriosis, both in the proliferative phase and the secretory phase. In addition, as for GnRH I, type I GnRH receptor and type II GnRH receptor, the mRNA levels were lower in endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis than in those without endometriosis in the secretory phase. CONCLUSIONS In the light of the demonstrated antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of GnRH II on endometrial stromal cells, the lower expression of GnRH II in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis suggests that endogenous GnRH II-mediated cytostatic regulation may be impaired in the development of endometriosis.
MORPHOMETRIC AND MORPHOLOGICAL DELINEATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN SPECIES OF AETHOMYS (RODENTIA : MURIDAE)

Five species of African rock rats, Aethomys namaquensis, A. granti, A. silindensis, A. nyikae and A. chrysophilus, have to date been recognized in southern Africa. While the first three species are craniometrically well-delineated, morphometric analysis of cytogenetically known and other specimens of A. chrysophilus revealed that it comprises two sympatric, morphologically similar species, the nominate species and the newly recognized A. ineptus. This is in agreement with observations on cranial morphology and earlier investigations involving cytogenetics, protein electrophoresis, and gross sperm and bacular morphology. Contrary to published reports, the Central African A. nyikae does not extend into southern Africa, and the single previous record from eastern Zimbabwe is probably based on a misidentification.