Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photoperiod affects growth and flowering of Lysimachia clethroides duby

Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides Duby) rhizomes were cooled for 10 weeks at 4± 1 °C prior to greenhouse forcing in continuous long days (LD); continuous short days (SD); 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks of SD followed by LD until anthesis; and 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks of LD followed by SD. None of the plants grown in continuous SD flowered, and fewer than 30% of plants flowered when grown in 4, 6, or 8 weeks of LD followed by SD for 21 to 25 weeks. At least 10 weeks of LD prior to SD were required to obtain 70% flowering. Plants receiving continuous LD or 4, 6, or 8 weeks of SD followed by LD flowered in the highest percentages (85% to 90%), but only 10% of plants receiving 10 weeks of SD followed by LD flowered. The number of greenhouse days required for visible bud formation and anthesis increased linearly as initial SD exposure increased, but the number of racemes produced by flowering plants was not affected. Plant height was greatest in continuous LD, and decreased linearly as initial SD exposure prior to LD increased from 0 to 10 weeks. Plants grown in continuous SD remained vegetative rosettes throughout the experiment, and their height increased linearly as initial LD prior to SD increased from 0 (continuous SD) to 10 weeks. These results demonstrate that supplemental LD lighting can promote growth and flowering in this species and that lighting can be discontinued 3 weeks before harvest of cut flower crops.
Evaluation of the control of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) by leaf extracts of many plants and their effects on plant growth

The citrus nematode is an important nematode that is distributed in citrus gardens worldwide and causes decline and growth reduction of citrus plants. A control way of this nematode is chemical control that it is dangerous to environment. In this research, leaf extract of Allium sativum, Brassica campestris, Capsicumfrutescents, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Datura innoxia, Chenopodium botrys andFoeniculum vulgare was used to evaluate them on plant growth and citrus nematode control in Fars province, Iran. In laboratory conditions different plant extracts, concentration of each extract and duration time of exposure extracts was examined in Petri dishes. Results showed that increase in concentration and duration time of exposure extracts caused increased percentage of nematode mortality. In laboratory experiments extracts of A. sativum and C. frutescents, D. innoxia, F. vulgare were more effective respectively. In pod experiments, nematode populations decreased in seedlings that were treated with A. sativum, C. frutescents and F. vulgare compared with control sample. In these, pods increased plant growth. These results confirm that it is possible to use local plant extracts to control citrus nematode instead of using chemical nematicides. Key words: Citrus nematode, plants extract, citrus nematode control,Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Fars province, Iran.
Ice Crystal Size Distributions in Dynamically Frozen Model Solutions and Ice Cream as Affected by Stabilizers

Ice crystal size distributions of dynamically frozen model solutions and ice cream after hardening were determined through image analysis using low temperature scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the components of ice cream were studied through a series of model solutions and compared with ice cream. The ice crystal diameter at 50% of the cumulative distribution function for different formulations showed a good linear correlation to total solids and ice content. The latter had a better correlation to account for the effect of type of sweetener on ice content. In general, higher overruns reduced ice crystal sizes, whereas lower overruns had no impact on distributions because they did not affect the microstructure of the frozen product. Stabilizers did not directly affect initial ice crystal size distribution for any of the model solutions or ice cream. Most of the differences observed were explained by the different amount of air incorporated affecting the microstructure or the reduction of ice content according to amount and type of ingredients.
Aldose Reductase Inhibition Fails to Prevent Retinopathy in Diabetic and Galactosemic Dogs

To investigate a possible role of excessive polyol production in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, 16 ALX-induced diabetic dogs and 20 experimentally galactosemic dogs were randomly assigned to 5 yr of treatment with either sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor, or a placebo. The severity of hyperglycemia in sorbinil-treated and placebo groups was monitored throughout the 5-yr study by assay of glycosuria and nonenzymatically glycated plasma protein and HbA1 needed in an effort to avoid confounding possible group differences in hyperglycemia severity with possible drug effects. Inhibition of polyol production by sorbinil was monitored in erythrocytes throughout the study and also in retina and other tissue obtained at autopsy. Trypsin digests of retinal vessels were compared after 60 mo of diabetes and after 42 and 60 mo of galactosemia. In diabetic dogs, development of retinopathy was not significantly influenced by a sorbinil dose (20 mg · kg−1 · day−1) sufficient to prevent elevation of sorbitol levels in retina and other tissue. Likewise, in dogs made experimentally galactosemic for 42–60 mo, administration of sorbinil (60–80 mg · kg−1 day−1) had no significant effect on the development of retinopathy notwithstanding prevention of 93–96% of the polyol elevation in retina and other tissue. Retinal capillary basement membrane was significantly thicker than normal in diabetic and in galactosemic dogs and was not significantly influenced by administration of sorbinil in either dog model. Thus, no evidence was found that the development of retinopathy is critically dependent on excessive polyol production or accumulation.
The effects of different maturation conditions on seed dormancy and germination of Cenchrus ciliaris

Abstract Seeds of Cenchrus ciliaris L. were produced under different hydro–photo–thermal environments with and without fertilizer. Dormancy loss of spikelets and extracted caryopses was tested during dry after-ripening at 40°C and 43% equilibrium relative humidity. Caryopses had higher initial germination and lost their dormancy faster than spikelets. Dormancy of both caryopses and spikelets generally decreased with an increase of maturation temperature and fertility, whereas dormancy increased if water stress was imposed during maturation. The latter effect was smaller when the mother plants were exposed to water stress after caryopses were fully formed than when water stress cycles were applied throughout maturation. Daylength extension (to 14 or 18 h d-1) by artificial light increased dormancy of both caryopses and spikelets. The effect of long days declined when plants were exposed to natural daylight for more than 10 h d-1. The after-ripening curves were consistent with the hypothesis that dormancy periods of individual seeds are normally distributed within each seed lot. Rates of loss of dormancy were quantified by the slopes of these curves. In a given experiment, these rates were identical for caryopses but not always for spikelets that matured in diverse environments. Even for caryopses, however, the slopes varied between experiments. Therefore, the results do not support the hypothesis that a dormancy model can be applied universally to all seed lots of Cenchrus ciliaris. Methods of predicting the period of after-ripening required to achieve desired levels of dormancy for reseeding degraded rangelands are discussed.
Current conservation status of the Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea Sundevall 1850 in Africa

The global Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea was classified as Vulnerable in 2010 on account of its small and rapidly declining population estimated at less than 1 500 pairs. We undertook this study to gain a better understanding of the current status and threats facing this migratory species. Three previously unknown areas that might be part of the species' non-breeding range were identified in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Within its breeding range we identified three previously unknown areas of potentially suitable habitat, one in Tanzania and two in Malawi, which require further exploration. Population viability assessment predicted that the Blue Swallow population will decline by 8% in 10 years. The overall probability of extinction of the species in the wild is 3%. Minimum viable population size analysis suggests that a goal for the long-term conservation of the Blue Swallow should be to mitigate current threats that are driving declines such that the population increases to a minimum of 3 600 individuals. This should consist of at least 900 individuals in each of the four clusters identified, along with a minimum of 500 individuals in at least one of the meta-populations per cluster. The four clusters are located in (1) the southeasten Democratic Republic of the Congo, (2) highlands of southern Tanzania and northern Malawi, (3) eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and (4) South Africa and Swaziland. The current proportions of the Blue Swallow population in strictly protected and unprotected areas on their breeding grounds are 53% and 47%, respectively, whereas on their non-breeding grounds the corresponding percentages are 25% and 75%, respectively. Our reassessment of the Blue Swallow's risk of extinction indicates that it continues to qualify as Vulnerable according to the IUCN/SSC criteria C2a(i).
The influence of strategies on relationships between working memory and cognitive skills

The aim of this study was to test the effect of administration method on relationships between working memory span tasks and cognitive skills. Participants completed both participant-administered and experimenter-administered working memory measures in both verbal and visuospatial domains. Although the tasks were equally reliable, the additional time taken to implement strategies in the participant-administered tasks in the verbal domain reduced the correlations between working memory and reading comprehension and arithmetic. These findings did not extend to a visuospatial working memory measure, for which there was no significant difference between the participant-administered and experimenter-administered tasks in terms of their relationships with comprehension and arithmetic. However, performance on experimenter-administered working memory tasks in both verbal and visuospatial domains predicted unique variance in comprehension and arithmetic while controlling for scores on the participant-administered tasks. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical implications for working memory research.
Effect of different planting densities on yield and yield components of wild thyme (Thymbra spicatavar. spicata)

The study reports the effect of the planting density of wild thyme (Thymbra spicatavar. spicata) on plant height, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content and essential oil yield. The results show that the highest fresh and dry herbage, dry leaf yield and essential oil yield were obtained from narrow row spacing and in-rows. However, fresh herbage, dry leaf yield and essential oil yield showed a variation of 0.993-1.463 kg m-2, 0.179-0.279 kg m-2and 33.6-50.9 L ha-1, respectively.
Common Ravens (Corvus corax) Prey on Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) Eggs, Chicks, and Possibly Adults

ABSTRACT We observed Common Ravens (Corvus corax) on Protection Island, Washington that used their bills to dig into the nesting burrows of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) and prey on auklet eggs. In addition, we observed a raven fly away from a burrow with an auklet chick, a raven attack and unsuccessfully attempt to capture an adult auklet, and a raven fly with and feed on a freshly killed adult auklet. Although Common Ravens have been reported to prey on Rhinoceros Auklets’ eggs, to our knowledge this is the first report of a raven preying on a chick and the first report of an attempt by a raven to capture an adult auklet.
Floral Development and Breeding System of Swainsona formosa (Leguminosae)

Flowers of Swainsona formosa (G. Don) J. Thompson (syn. Clianthus formosus) developed through seven floral stages from buds to open flowers in 17 days. Floral stages were correlated with the sigmoidal growth pattern of the peduncle. Self-pollination was prevented in the species by the presence of a stigmatic cuticle that precluded pollen germination until ruptured, exposing the receptive surface below. Cuticular rupture occurred in nature during bird-pollination and was emulated manually by lightly rubbing a pollen-covered finger across the stigma. The species was self-compatible, and to ensure cross-fertilization when breeding, emasculation before anther dehiscence was essential. Strut's desert pea (Swainsona formosa ), a legume native to Australia, is arguably one of the world's most striking and spectacular flow- ering plants. Its horticultural potential as a cut flower or as a container-grown ornamental is enormous (Barth, 1990). However, growth habit, floral characteristics, and disease resistance are extremely variable, and ample scope exists for plant improvement. This study was aimed at understanding the critical stages of floral devel- opment in relation to the breeding system of the plant as the first step in a breeding program to develop new commercial cultivars. Swainsona formosa, a member of the sub- family Papilionoideae, has a large (up to 100- mm-long) flag-shaped flower consisting of an upper standard petal (or flag) that incorporates a shiny black boss, and a lower keel that houses the sexual organs (Fig. 1). The flowers are characteristically bright red and are borne in umbels of up to six flowers subtended by a long (up to 200-mm) peduncle. Flowers are omithophilous in the wild (Armstrong, 1979). Visiting birds probing the flower through the beak-guide in the center of the boss are re- warded with copious nectar at the base of the filament sheath. 31P, 218 K, 152 Ca, 41 Mg, 0.06 Zn, 0.07 Cu, 0.7 Mn, 34.3 Fe, 0.018 Mo, 0.23 B, and 76 S. To study floral development and peduncle growth, flowers were tagged at emergence and the length of the peduncle (from point of attachment to base of pedicels) was measured daily. Floral stage (Fig. 1) was assessed con- currently using the following scale: A = flow- ers tightly clustered in bud, petals completely enclosed by calyx; B = tips of petals began to protrude through the calyx, showing first signs of color; C = flowers oriented horizontally during the process of downward curvature of pedicels; D = pedicels had completed their downward curvature and flowers oriented ver- tically; E = the flag began to reflex back from the keel; F = the flag in half-reflexed position
Econometric Analysis of Efficiency of Rice Inputs-Output Relationship in Yobe State

The study examined rice input-output relationship in Yobe State states, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 300 rice farmers in three major rice producing local governments in the state. The data was collected with the aid of questionnaire. The data was analysed using stochastic production frontier to determine input-output relationship of rice farmers and to identify and estimate determinants of technical efficiency of the rice farmers. Given the specification of Cobb Douglas frontier model, the input-output relationship result shows that there was a positive and significant relationship between rice output and the farm size, quantity of seed planted, fertilize applied, and irrigation service and insecticides at 5% level of probability implying that increases in the quantity of these inputs lead to increases in rice output. The quantity of herbicide and green manure use has positive relationship with rice output but not statistically significant at 5 percent probability level; the coefficient of labour and hired machine were negative at 5 percent probability level indicating that increase in the use of these inputs decrease output level. There was a return to scale value of 0.51 indicating a decreasing return to scale. The implication of decreasing-returns-scale in this study means farmers can still increase the level of output at the current level of resources at their disposal as the farmers are not using their resources efficiently. The estimated value of gamma (γ) was 57% and was significantly at 5 percent, thereby, establishing the fact that inefficiencies exists among these farmers. In other words, 57% of the difference between the observed output and the potential production output was due to technical inefficiency. The mean technical efficiency for small scale rice farmers was 63%. This suggests that technical efficiency could be increased by 37% given the current level of technology if the available resources are efficiently utilized. The study recommends that research institutes should undertake a thorough extension exercise to advise the rice farmers in the study area on the recommended input usage and application rates.
Microsatellite instability (MSI) due to mutation or epigenetic silencing is associated with increased cytotoxicity to irinotecan (CPT-11) in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines

10527 Background: MSI is a phenomenon found in tumor DNA of individuals with dysfunction of the mismatch repair system (MMR). Epigenetic inactivation by promoter hypermethylation of hMLH1 causes 15 to 20% of sporadic CRC. In vitro studies have suggested an increased sensitivity to CPT-11 of MMR-deficient human CRC cell lines. Chemosensitivity evaluation in preclinical models of human CRC cell lines according to the MMR status could help in the design of specific studies in the clinical setting. Methods: We have performed drug cytotoxicity assays to compare sensitivity to CPT-11 in several human CRC cell lines with different MMR gene status that resemble the most common clinical situations in CRC patients. HCT116, HCT15, SW48 and RKO are MSI-High (MSI-H), being HCT116 due to a homozygous nonsense mutation of hMLH1 gene, HCT15 due to MSH6 mutation (both of them similar to hereditary cases) and both SW48 and RKO due to methylation of hMLH1 promoter (as MSI-H sporadic CRC cases). HT29 expresses normal levels .
Wpływ przygotowania gleby frezem leśnym na wzrost sadzonek sosny zwyczajnej w warunkach ubogich siedlisk Puszczy Bydgoskiej

The study was conducted in the Bydgoszcz Forest (Cierpiszewo Forest District) in the area of the lowest precipitation in Poland. In 4 plots (3 of rotary tiller and 1 – the comparative one – of plough soil preparation) measurement of Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) and dry biomass of ground vegetation as well as soil investigations were performed. The best height and radial increment of pines were stated in the comparative plot (the soil cultivated by a plough) in spite of the distinct lowest of all plots soil moisture and nutrient stocks occurring there. The differences in plant growth can be explained by much more effective reduction of competition of ground vegetation in young plantations by a mouldboard plough than by a tiller. The results can also be explained by occurrence of unfavourable water conditions in rows prepared by a tiller during dry periods. The soil material in the rows is enriched in organic matter that results in increasing water repellence when it is dried. Rotary tiller should be recommended for soil preparation in the study area but on condition of successful ground vegetation removal from young pine plantations in some first years after planting.
Hydrogel substrate alleviates salt stress with increase antioxidant enzymes activity of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under salinity stress

The effect of varying hydrogel (0, 0.05 and 0.1% w/w) supply on major antioxidant enzyme (super oxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT and peroxidase, POD) activity, membrane permeability and salt tolerance index (STI) of bean plants in different salt source and doses stress were investigated. Plants were treated with eight salt sources (NaCl, Na2SO4, CaCl2, CaSO4, KCl, K2SO4, MgCl2, and MgSO4) and four concentrations (0, 30, 60, and 120 mM doses) for 60 days in a growth media. Salt type, doses and hydrogel (HG) affected soil electrical conductivity. Soil salinity affected the parameters considered and changed the antioxidant activity of plants. Different salt concentrations negatively affected STI of plants. High salt concentration caused substantial increase leakage of plant. CAT antioxidant enzyme activities of plants decreased with increasing salt doses, and the lowest value was obtained for NaCl application. SOD and POD enzyme activity of plant were increased with increasing salt doses, and the highest value was obtained for NaCl application. HG added to saline soil significantly improved the variables affected by high salinity and also reduced soil electricity conductivity, electrolyte leakage of plant, enhanced STI and caused decrease SOD and POD enzyme activity. The result suggested that HG have great potential for use in alleviating salinity stress on plant growth and growth parameter, in saline soils of arid and semi-arid areas. This HG appears to be highly effective for use as soil conditioners in vegetable growing, to improve crop tolerance and growth saline conditions. It is intended to confirm the results of these studies by field trials. Key words: Bean, salinity, enzyme activity, hydro gel.
Cell entry of dengue virus

Dengue virus is an expanding public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, mainly owing to failure in the maintenance of control programs for the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti and increasing and unplanned urbanization. It has been estimated that over 50 million dengue virus infections of varying severity occur globally each year, making this virus the most significant mosquito-borne human pathogen. However, there is no specific antiviral therapy or vaccine for treatment or prevention. This review focuses on recent data describing the putative molecules and mechanisms involved in the complex process of dengue virus binding and entry into mosquito and mammalian cells in primary infections. Furthermore, the perspectives of these early events in the virus life cycle as a target for antidengue therapeutic strategies are also considered. Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne member of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, which includes many important human
Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene by a Novel Strain Brevibacillus invocatus C19 Isolated from Egyptian Coke

In this study, an effective enrichment technique was applied to isolate different bacterial strains with capabilities to utilize dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a model compound of polyaromatic sulfur heterocyclic compounds (PASHs). Twenty-eight different desulfurizing bacterial strains were isolated from a mineral coke sample with sulfur content of 3.8%. Only nine of them showed the ability to utilize DBT as a sole-sulfur source through the 4S-pathway without altering its hydrocarbon skeleton. From all; a Gram +ve bacterial isolate designated C19 showed a higher biodesulfurization (BDS) efficiency relevant to the well-known biodesulfurizing bacterium strain R. erythropolis IGTS8, recording 66.85% and 50% removal of 1000 ppm DBT with the production of 31.98 and 31.34 ppm 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP), as a dead end product, respectively. C19 was identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis to be Brevibacillus invocatus C19 (NCBI Gene Bank Accession no. KC999852) with similarity of 99.05%. BDS of different PASHs was also studied and Brevibacillus invocatus C19 showed good BDS capabilities compared to those of IGTS8.