Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Divergence in Sunflower

Twenty nine genotypes of sunflower were studied for their genetic divergence by D2 analysis. The genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters. Based on the inter cluster distance and cluster mean for various character, potential parents were identified from clusters I, VII and VI for hybridization programme. The character days to first flowering contributed more towards genetic divergence.
Effect of omega 3 fatty acids on serum lipid profile, malondialdehyde and paraoxonase activity in patients with end stage renal disease under regular hemodialysis

Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease are important problems in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) under hemodialysis. Increased serum lipids and lipoprotein can be considered as the causing factors for atherosclerosis. The study designed to evaluate the effect of Omega 3 fatty acids on the serum lipids, lipoproteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and paraoxonase activity. Forty two hyper-lipidemic male ESRD patients under regular hemodialysis, aged 35-70 years were daily treated with 2000 mg Alaska deep sea fish oil (super Omega 3, all natural nutrition INC, USA) containing 360 mg Eicosapentaenoic Acid and 240 mg Docosahexaenoic Acid for three months. The lipid profile was estimated by standard methods. The level of MDA was measured using thiobarbituric acid reaction and the activity of paraoxonase was determined using paraoxon as substrate.Comparing Pre and Post supplementary Omega 3 fatty acid data significant reduction in the levels of triglyceride (25%) and VLDL-C and marked elevation in that of HDL-C (5%) and meaningful increase in the activity of paraoxonase (7%) were noticed (p 0.05 in all cases). Since hyper-triglyceridemia and low level of HDL-C and reduced activity of paraoxonase are important risk factor of atherosclerosis, supplementary Omega 3 fatty acid may be useful in treatment the lipid abnormalities in ESRD, but to reduce the levels of total cholesterol and MDA it can be used simultaneously with cholesterol lowering drugs such as stains and antioxidant vitamins.
The influence of root zone temperature on growth and flavour precursors in Allium cepa L.

Summary The effects of changing root zone temperature (RZT) while maintaining a constant foliar temperature were tested. ‘Granex 33’ onions (Allium cepa L.) were grown at RZTs of 12°C (± 3.0°C), 21°C (± 0.5°C) (control), or 34°C (± 0.7°C) while maintaining the air temperature at 21°C (± 0.5°C). Plants were harvested at maturity and bulbs evaluated for their growth and flavour characteristics. Bulb fresh weight was highest at an RZT of 21°C and lowest for plants grown at other RZTs. Total bulb-S was no different for the 12°C and 21°C treatments, but was significantly lower for bulbs grown at an RZT of 34°C. Bulb soluble solids contents and total pyruvic acid (pungency) levels responded similarly, increasing between 12°C and 21°C, and falling in the 34°C treatment. Concentrations of trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulphoxide, and two peptide intermediates, 2-carboxypropyl glutathione and -glutamyl propenyl cysteine sulphoxide were highest at 21°C, and lowest at 34°C. The adverse affect of the high RZT (34°C) treatment was significant, leading to short, highly-branched roots and was clearly detrimental to the growth and development of onion plants, as well as reducing sulphur allocation to the flavour biosynthetic pathway.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Immunolocalization in the Male Rat Reproductive Tract During Pre-and Postnatal Periods

A number of recent studies suggest the effects of several growth factors as well as genetic factors on the development and differentiation of the testes and excretory ducts. One of the most important growth factors affecting the development and differentiation of the above-mentioned organs may be epidermal growth factor (EGF). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EGF on the development of the testes and excretory ducts of male rats by determining the immunolocalization of EGF receptors in these organs during foetal and postnatal periods. To do this, testicular and excretory duct tissue samples from prenatals of 13, 16 and 18 days, neonates, 10-day-olds and adults were obtained and processed for light microscopy for immunohistochemical examination. APAAP immunohistochemical staining was applied to 5-7mm thick paraffin sections. While there was a strong immunoreactivity for EGFR in coelomic epithelium and a relatively weaker immunostaining in the mesonephric duct on prenatal day 13, differentiated testes and Wolffian ducts demonstrated strong EGFR immunoreactivity on pre- natal day 16. Interstitial Leydig cells of the testes and Wolffian ducts showed strong immunostaining on prenatal day 18. This strong EGFR immunoreactivity was maintained during the postnatal period and remained positive in the adult epididymis, which differen- tiated from the proximal part of the Wolffian duct. The EGFR immunoreactivity in the gonocytes, observed on prenatal day 16, increased on prenatal day 18 and during the neonatal period, whereas it disappeared on postnatal day 10 and in adult germinal cell lines of the seminiferous tubules. It may be concluded that while EGF mediates testicular and excretory duct development and differentiation during the pre- and post- natal periods, it may also regulate the functions of testicular Leydig cells and epididymal epithelial cells in adults.
FRESHWATER GASTROPODA FROM ARGENTINA: SPECIES RICHNESS, DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS, AND AN EVALUATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

Few studies have dealt with the geographic distribution of freshwater snails in Argentina. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine species and family richness and diversity patterns; (2) verify if species richness behaves according to Rapoport's rule; (3) identify and classify species according to their distributions; and (4) identify endangered species. A grid was applied to a map of Argentina, with each of 340 squares (SUs) representing 10,000 km2. A database of 3,376 records was analyzed. Of the 101 species belonging to ten families recorded in Argentina, four are introduced and 40 are endemic to Argentina. The Lithoglyphidae have the highest number of species (22). The highest species richness/SU was recorded in the Brazilic subregion at Salto Grande (32 species) on Uruguay River, and parts of the Río de la Plata (31). In this subregion the species richness values increase from west to east. The highest richness in the Chilean-Patagonian subregion was detected at San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro province (9), and the Chilinidae contained the largest number of species. In Argentina, the north-south decline species pattern could be explained through Rapoport's rule. In Patagonia, the species richness gradients do not show significant west-east trends. Most of the native species of freshwater molluscs of restricted distribution can be considered endangered (about 45 species) but need further study.
Spring Temperature Predicts the Long-Term Molting Phenology of Two Cicadas, Cryptotympana facialis and Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

ABSTRACT To investigate how seasonal insects respond to changing environments, nymphal skins of the two cicadas Cryptotympana facialis (Walker) and Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata (Motschulsky) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) were monitored weekly from late July to August over 12 yr in a suburban habitat of central Japan. Based on over 8,000 skins collected from 1995 to 2006, the authors estimated the period during which temperature or precipitation impacted skin abundance and phenology. Adults of C. facialis tended to emerge earlier than those of G. nigrofuscata, for which total skin counts fluctuated up to seven-fold among years. The effective accumulated temperature from the previous 3.0–3.5 mo to the most recent 1.0–1.5 mo at a threshold of approximately >18°C showed the best fit to the cumulative skin counts within a season. Temperature explained 47 and 64% of the total variation in the skin counts for C. facialis and G. nigrofuscata, respectively. The point at which temperature had this effect was consistent between male and female cicadas. Conversely, accumulated precipitation accounted for <16% of the variation in the skin counts for both species. In summary, this long-term study revealed that late-spring temperature plays a key role in predicting the molting phenology of C. facialis and G. nigrofuscata but does not necessarily explain a large amount of the abundance fluctuation.
Transfer of Listeria dentrificans to a New Genus, Jonesia gen. nov., as Jonesia denitrificans comb. nov.

The 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid catalog of Listeria denitrificans CIP 55134T was determined. The results confirmed previous evidence that this organism is not a member of the genus Listeria. Whereas L. monocytogenes is a member of the Bacillus-Clostridium subdivision of gram-positive bacteria, L. denitrificans is phylogenetically related to members of one of the several subbranches of the actinomycetes subdivision, defined by the genera Actinomycetes, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Cellulomonas, Stomatococcus, and Promicromonospora and allied taxa. The low similarity coefficients found between L. denitrificans and these genera, together with previously described chemotaxonomic properties, indicate that this species should be transferred to a new genus, Jonesia gen. nov., as Jonesia denitrificans comb. nov.
Nocturnal warming increases photosynthesis at elevated CO2 partial pressure in Populus deltoides.

• We measured night-time respiration and daytime photosynthesis of leaves in canopies of 4 m tall cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees to investigate the link between leaf respiration and photosynthetic capacity. • Trees were grown at three CO2 partial pressures [p(CO2 )a ] (42, 80, 120 Pa) and experimentally exposed to differing nocturnal temperatures (15, 20 or 25°C), but constant daytime temperatures (30-32°C), in a short-term whole-ecosystem environmental manipulation. • Rates of night-time leaf dark respiration (Rd ) increased significantly at all growth CO2 partial pressures when nocturnal temperatures were increased from 15 to 25°C. Predawn leaf nonstructural carbohydrate (soluble sugars and starch) content was significantly lower at the higher night temperatures. Photosynthetic capacity (Amax ) during the day increased significantly between 15 and 25°C at 42 and 80 Pa, but not at 120 Pa. • These findings indicate that the previously determined relationships between elevated night-time temperature, dark respiration and increased photosynthetic capacity may also hold at elevated p(CO2 )a . This response may have a significant influence on plant and ecosystem carbon exchange under global change scenarios.
The Use of Trap-Nests to Manage Carpenter Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopini), Pollinators of Passion Fruit (Passifloraceae: Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa)

ABSTRACT Carpenter bees are the main pollinators of passion fruit, a crop classified as vulnerable to pollinator decline because it is strictly self-incompatible. We investigated cost-effective management strategies to increase the presence of female carpenter bees in passion fruit orchards by using trap-nests in bee shelters. Transfers of nests containing females of X. frontalis and X. grisescens between different sites were significantly more successful when the nests contained brood cells. Supplying a bee shelter with a combination of suitably sized empty bamboo stalks and active nests of carpenter bees can increase the population of actively nesting bees by >200% during the course of 23 mo, as a consequence of the emergence of brood from the introduced nests and the attraction of bees from the surroundings. In conclusion, our methods lead to improved success of introducing, increasing and maintaining carpenter bees populations for the pollination of passion fruit crops.
LIFE CYCLE OF THE DEEP-WATER PANDALID SHRIMP PLESIONIKA EDWARDSII (DECAPODA, CARIDEA) IN THE

The reproduction, growth and population dynamics of the deep-water pandalid shrimp Plesionika edwardsii Brandt were studied in the South Tyrrhenian Sea (central Mediterranean Sea, Italy). Individuals were collected between 100- and 350-m depth during an experimental trap survey conducted in the April 1998-November 1999 period. The mean catch did not show differences in relation to either sampling depth or season. Reproduction appeared to be continuous throughout the year even if the main reproductive activity occurred in April-July. The small ovigerous females were 15.5 mm CL, whereas the mean size at which 50% of females were ovigerous (L5o) was 18 mm CL. Differences in size at maturity were recorded during the year. The L50 reached the minimum value in June and maximum in OctoberNovember, at the end of the breeding season when the reproductive stock was composed mainly of a few large females. A main recruitment cohort was observed in January, although new cohorts of juveniles appeared in each sampling period. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters were estimated for both sexes using the relative mean carapace lengths at ages. Females grew faster and reached larger size after maturity than males. Longevity was estimated to be around 3.5 years for both sexes.
In vitro evaluation of sugarcane bagasse in complete feed

The study was conducted to evaluate sugarcane bagasse as a substitute of wheat straw in complete feed for ruminants. Organic matter content of wheat straw (WS) was lower (P<0.01) than that of sugarcane bagasse (SB), however, NDF, ADF and ADL contents of SB (84.6, 53.4 and 10.8%) were higher (P<0.05) than that of WS (81.7, 51.6 and 7.5%, respectively). SB was having higher Ca and P (0.49 and 0.22%) than in WS (0.18 and 0.11%). Replacement of WS with SB in complete feed with roughage to concentrate ratio of 60:40 at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% levels increased (P<0.05) their OM content without affecting the CP content. In-vitro DM and OM degradability and total gas production of WS were higher (P<0.01) than SB. Therefore, the values of these parameters decreased gradually with an increase in SB proportion in the complete feeds and lowest being at 100% replacement level. Potential gas production and fractional rate of gas production for WS was higher (P<0.01) than that for SB. Lag phase for SB was longer (7.32h) than for WS (3.55h). Potential gas production was decreased (P<0.01) with the increase in SB level in complete feed. On increasing the SB level in complete feed, gas production per unit digestable DM or OM was reduced. It was concluded that in a complete feed containing WS and concentrate in 60:40 ratio, 40 percent of WS can be replaced with SB without affecting its fermentability and in vitro DM and OM digestibility.
The bio‐optical state of ocean waters and remote sensing 1

The diffilse attenuation cocfficicnt for irradiance, KT, is a physical measure of the bio-optical state of ocean waters. From an analysis of irradiance, KT, and pigment concentration, the specific attenuation due to chlorophyll-like pigments is found to bc 0.016 +- 0.003 Irn-’ (mg pigment m-“)-‘I. The bio-optical state of ocean waters can be remotely sensed by spacecraft sensors. KT is readily measured at sea and is highly correlated with and dependent on the chlorophyll-like pigment concentration, C K. This pigment concentration and KT provide a measure of the fraction of radiant energy attenuated by phytoplankton. This fraction, in turn, is closely related to the production equations formulated by Bannister and can be directly incorporated into a general theory of phytoplankton dynamics. CK may also be used as an index of primary prodlrctivity. The determination of the bio-optical state of ocean waters by surface vessel provides direct information concerning the productivity of these waters; to the extent that the bio-optical state can be determined by satellite, it may be possible to examinc important paramctcrs of the marine ecosystem rapidly and repeatedly. The rcmotc sensing from spacecraft of the upwelling spectral radiant energy from the ocean’s surface makes it possihlc to determine marine pigment conccntrations due to phytoplankton. This, in turn, suggests the potential for obtaining rapid worldwide assessments of primary productivity over time scales required to link this productivity to commercially important fisheries. Continuous worldwide data on ocean productivity would assist synoptic ecological studies of ocean regions of special interest, provide othcrwise unattainable data for the dynamic modcling of phytoplankton, and allow for the continuous monitoring of variations in productivity. If these expectations for remote sensing are to bc fully realized, technical methods for detecting and analyzing the upwelling radiant energy must bc perfected and relationships between ocean optical properties and the biological parameters affecting thcsc optical properties must bc quantitatively investigated. Possible techniques for detecting
Opposing Effects of Native and Exotic Herbivores on Plant Invasions

Exotic species are widely assumed to thrive because they lack natural enemies in their new ranges. However, a meta-analysis of 63 manipulative field studies including more than 100 exotic plant species revealed that native herbivores suppressed exotic plants, whereas exotic herbivores facilitated both the abundance and species richness of exotic plants. Both outcomes suggest that plants are especially susceptible to novel, generalist herbivores that they have not been selected to resist. Thus, native herbivores provide biotic resistance to plant invasions, but the widespread replacement of native with exotic herbivores eliminates this ecosystem service, facilitates plant invasions, and triggers an invasional “meltdown. ”
SELEÇÃO DE GENÓTIPOS DE FEIJOEIRO À SECA

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar genotipos de feijoeiro com o proposito de selecionar materiais com capacidade de tolerância a seca. O experimento foi conduzido dentro de casa de vegetacao no campus do Centro de Ciencias Agrarias da Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (CCAUFES), Alegre-ES. Devido ao grande numero de genotipos a serem avaliados o experimento foi realizado em duas fases, o delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizados no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a umidade do solo no periodo de estresse hidrico determinada num intervalo de dois dias, pelo metodo EDABO (Evaporacao Direta da Agua em Banho de Oleo). Em termos de produtividade foi possivel verificar a diferenca nao-significativa entre os sistemas de cultivo sem e com estresse para os genotipos IN 2, IN 9, IN 12, IN 14, IN 16, IN 17, IN 18, EL-22, IAPAR 81, Vermelho e Brinco de Ouro, mostrando, desta forma, que estes genotipos sao tolerantes ao estresse hidrico; porem estes materiais, na maioria, foram pouco produtivos. Para o numero de flores, caracteristica esta que acarreta menor numero de vagens e consequentemente menor produtividade, os genotipos Caete pe Curto, Iconha, Vagem Riscada e Macuquinho, apresentaram-se suscetiveis ao deficit hidrico. Para os demais genotipos nao houve diferenca significativa entre os sistemas de cultivo, mostrando que estes genotipos, para esta caracteristica, se comportaram de maneira semelhante, tanto na presenca quanto na ausencia do estresse hidrico.
Insect pests of pearl millet in Sahelian West Africa I. Acigona ignefusalis (Pyralidae, Lepidoptera): Distribution, population dynamics and assessment of crop damage†

Pests were surveyed in farmers’ fields in Burkina Faso, Niger and northern Nigeria from 1980 to 1983, and field trials at research stations in Burkina Faso (1980 and 1981) and at the ICRISAT Sahelian Center in Niger (1984 and 1985). Acigona ignefusalis is widely distributed in West Africa but its predominance as the major stem borer of millet varies with location. There are two generations of the pest annually, with peaks in moth population in July and September. Diapausing larval population declines during the dry season from November to May. A progressive decline in borer infestation was recorded between 1983 and 1985 in Niger. Damage to early‐sown millet was usually low while late sowing resulted in severe stem tunnelling and unproductive tillers. However, under low levels of borer infestation an unprotected crop gave higher grain yield than one which was protected with insecticide.
IMPACT OF VARIETAL FEEDING ON SAMIA RICINI DONOVAN IN SPRING AND AUTUMN SEASON OF UTTAR PRADESH

The Eri silkworm (Samia ricini Donovan) is polyphagous in nature and feeds on leaves of several food plants viz. Castor (Ricinus communis), Tapioca (Manihot esculenta), Barara (Jatropha curcas), and Papaya (Carica papaya). It is multivoltine in nature and reared in indoor conditions. We observed the effect of different food plants in relation to the seasons on the larval growth and its economic characters by conducting rearing as per standard rearing techniques. The evaluation of data revealed that castor food plants have shown supremacy over the other food plants, i.e., Tapioca, Barera & Papaya for larval growth as well as economic characters. The data showed that minimum larval duration (days) in spring season (19.0) ERR % (91) SR % (14.55) and other economic characters showed better in the spring season.
Invasive birds in a novel landscape: habitat associations and effects on established species

Studying the relationships among introduced species, their preferred habitats, and native species can be important for predicting the effects of invasions on native populations. Examining the colonization of North America by the Eurasian collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto, we quantified the habitat characteristics of sites most likely to be occupied by this invasive bird species in the early stages of the invasion. Further, we studied the relationship between collared-dove abundance and the abundance of other dove species in the study area, anticipating a negative effect on established species following the introduction of a potential competitor. Linking satellite-derived landcover data with winter bird community data gathered from 444 study sites in Florida, USA from 1999 to 2008, we found that collared-doves were more likely to occur in landscapes that had been highly-modified by human activity than in forested landscapes. Collareddove abundance increased as the proportion of the landscape characterized as low-intensity development and medium/ high-intensity development increased. The probability of collared-doves occurring at a site was also related to the spatial proximity of other sites reporting doves (positive spatial autocorrelation). Contrary to our expectations, the site-level abundance of four other dove species all increased with collared-dove abundance throughout the sampling period. Interactions between collared-doves and native species should be further studied in different environments as this invasive bird rapidly colonizes North America.
Genetic diversity of Ardi goat based on microsatellite analysis

The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of Ardi goats found in the central regions of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia using 14 microsatellite markers. Allelic richness was considerably high in this population indicating high genetic polymorphism as expected heterozygozity was 0.675. Furthermore, the population showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in seven loci. Mean polymorphic information content value was found to be 0.553. Inbreeding coefficient was 0.183 suggesting moderate level of inbreeding. There was also no-significant heterozygote excess on basis of different models of infinite allele. These tests along with the mode-shift test of Ardi goat indicated no bottleneck recently. Thus, it can be recommended that the Ardi genetic variability should be maintained for its unique genetic resources, and there is a scope for further improvement in productivity through an appropriate management and breeding program. In general, results of this study can be used to establish a base of national conservation strategy of Ardi goat population in Saudi Arabia. Key words: Ardi goat, genetic diversity, microsatellite markers, inbreeding, bottleneck.