Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a probiotic preparation in broilers under commercial breeding conditions.

ABSTRACT: The use of probiotics tries to find a modulator effect on the broilers’ gastrointestinal tract microbiota as well as the beneficial effects this causes in the host. Objective: To evaluate a preparation of probiotic bacteria on broiler performance under commercial breeding conditions. Materials and Methods: A total of 42,848 one-day-old Cobb-500® chicken both male and female were used. The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design in a 2x2 factorial model, both males and females, and two levels of probiotic (with probiotic additive, 1 kg/ton and without probiotic in the food), with four repetitions per treatment and 2,678 birds per experimental unit. Birds consumed food and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period.Results: weight gain, food intake, food conversion and mortality were not affected by the addition of the probiotic in the diet whereas there was a significant gender-based effect (P<0.01) in the variables of body weight, weight gain and food intake. Conclusions: With the results of this research it was not possible to demonstrate differences between the performance indexes of chicken fed with the probiotic bacteria preparation in the diet under commercial breeding conditions, and those that did not have it.
Behavioural responses to dimethyl disulphide by Aleochara bilineata and Aleochara bipustulata

Adult Aleochara bipustulata L. and Aleochara bilineata Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are predatory on immature stages of cabbage root fly Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Larvae of the two Aleochara are parasitoids of D. radicum pupae. Female Aleochara lay eggs near D. radicum puparia; the newly‐hatched Aleochara larvae enter puparia and consume the contents. Delia radicum‐infested roots of brassicas give off dimethyl disulphide (DMDS). In the field, DMDS attracts adult Aleochara to pitfall traps but does not enhance the biological control of D. radicum. In the present study, we investigate the behavioural responses of the Aleochara to DMDS in still air, as well as in moving air in a Y‐tube olfactometer, and also investigate the influence of DMDS on host selection. In larvae of both Aleochara species, DMDS induces a restricted‐area search in still air, resulting in elevated frequencies of attack of D. radicum puparia close to a source of DMDS. In the olfactometer, newly‐emerged virgin adults of both sexes of both Aleochara species choose alternatives to DMDS, older recently‐mated females are attracted to DMDS, and older males and older mate‐deprived females show no preference. Mating status of males determines the switch of their response to DMDS from avoidance to indifference. We conclude that DMDS is an important cue for host‐finding, although other cues are involved in mate‐finding. We discuss the implications for use of DMDS to enhance D. radicum mortality and for parasitism of nontarget species if A. bipustulata is introduced to Canada for biological control of D. radicum.
Effects of Extreme Drought on Photosynthesis and Water Potential of Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) Ecotypes in Common Gardens Across Kansas

Phenotypes of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) vary throughout the central grasslands of North America, a consequence of genetically-distinct ecotypes within the species. This study sought to distinguish between genetic and environmental variation of photosynthesis and water potential in big bluestem ecotypes during an extreme drought. Four ecotypes of big bluestem were measured in common gardens in western, central, and eastern Kansas. Experimental plots contained seeded assemblages to represent prairie communities. Photosynthesis rates and water potential were measured three times during the 2012 growing season. The role of precipitation was assessed with rainout shelters that reduced ambient rainfall by 50 percent. There were prominent differences between sites that correlated with available soil moisture, with only minor genetic differences among ecotypes. The mesic site in Manhattan, KS had higher photosynthesis and water potentials compared to drier sites in Colby and Hays, KS. Photosynthetic rates decreased in all sites as the growing season progressed. Extreme drought in Colby and Hays reduced photosynthesis rates to near zero by late summer, whereas photosynthesis in Manhattan remained above 6 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 in late summer. The big bluestem ecotype from the driest environment had higher photosynthetic rates compared to mesic ecotypes, evident at the mesic site in Manhattan. Plant water potentials followed soil moisture availability across sites. Mean water potentials were as low as -7 MPa in Hays and Colby, but were never lower than -1.3 MPa in Manhattan. Although significant differences were detected among ecotypes of A. gerardii, these differences were minimal compared to environmental effects during a severe drought.
Investigation of rheological properties and conformation of cassava starch in zinc chloride solution

Zinc chloride aqueous solution is a non-derivatizing solvent for starch, and can be used as a media for homogeneous starch modification. Here, the rheological properties of starch in ZnCl aqueous solution under different conditions are considered. Specifically, a large number (120) of viscosity–shear-rate curves for starch–ZnCl solutions with different starch contents, ZnCl concentrations, and temperatures were obtained and modeled using a master curve method. In particular, the power-law index (n) from the modeling could accurately classify the starch molecules in ZnCl aqueous solutions into an insoluble state, a dilute state, a semi-dilute state, and a sticky state, reflecting the different degrees of chain interactions in the solution. In particular, the sticky state would be mostly likely be controlled by the zinc–starch complex, which made the rheological behavior entirely different from that at low ZnCl concentrations. The knowledge obtained from this study can be used to guide the homogeneous modification of starch and the fabrication of starch-based materials using green solvents such as aqueous ZnCl with desired properties.
Quality of Seedlings Raised in Root Trainers under Semi-arid Conditions of Central India

Root trainers are increasingly being used to deal with the problems of root coiling and distortion, common to the polythene bag planting system. Experimental seedlings of three multipurpose tree species namely Acacia nilotica, Albizia procera and Dalbergia sissoo were raised in root trainers (150 cc Hiko pots) in a randomized block design. The seedlings were assessed for quality parameters, viz. Sturdiness quotient, root-shoot ratio, ratio of secondary + tertiary root biomass to the total root biomass and number of nodules. The quality of experimental seedlings was compared with seedlings raised in polythene bags kept on mounted angle iron beds. Root trainer raised seedlings were found to be better in sturdiness whereas seedlings raised in polythene bags showed higher nodulation. The results of the other two quality parameters assessed were comparable. No conclusive results could be drawn on the superiority of the two systems, whieh however, is possible once the seedlings are assessed for growth and survival after two to three years of fields planting.
Effect of Some Nutrients on In Vitro Pollen Germination of Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal

The present investigation reveals the effect of different nutrients like sucrose, boric acid at various concentrations separately and in combinations and salts of Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium on in vitro pollen germination of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, a medicinally important plant belonging to the family of Solanaceae, to know the pollen viability and optimum nutrient requirements for in vitro pollen germination. Flowers start to open in the morning at 07.30 hrs. - 08.30hrs. , after which anther dehiscence take place. Maximum 75% pollen germination along with 455 m m pollen tube development was observed in 15% sucrose solution suppl emented with 50 ppm boric acid and among the salts; maximum 56% pollen germination along with 316 m m pollen tube was observed in 100 ppm Potassium nitrate solution. Pollen grains which were collected in the morning (08.30-09.30hrs.) showed best results.
Isolation of Lactic Acid Bacteria with Cholesterol-Lowering Activity from Digestive Tracts of Indonesian Native Chickens

The aim of the study was to identify the cholesterol-lowering activity of indigenous lactic acid bacteria isolated from the small intestine, cecum, and colon of Indonesian native chickens and evaluated for bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity in vitro by using MRS media added taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and CaCl2. The quantitative measurement of cholesterol-lowering activity of LAB was investigated by using soluble cholesterol containing MRS broth (100 µg/mL of cholesterin) and incubated at 37 °C for 48 h. Cholesterol content in supernatant was analyzed using microplate reader. The highest percentage of cholesterol reduction found in isolates from colon of native chicken with the value of 17.43% and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis, this isolate was closely related to L. plantarum strain LGFCP4 (accession number KM199683.1) isolated from GIT of Guinea fowl from India. It could be concluded that L. plantarum AKK-30 had cholesterol-lowering activity.
THE INFLUENCE OF CULTIVATION ENVIRONMENT TO THE PHENOLOGICAL PHASE, THE YIELD-PRODUCING ELEMENTS AND THE YIELD OF MILK THISTLE [SILYBUM MARIANUM L. (GAERTN.)]

The interest in milk thistle cultivation has increased in recent years due to higher demand for this product both in the pharmaceutical industry and in cosmetic or feed industry. Phenological characteristics of milk thistle related to the yield-producing elements are very important from the viewpoint of cultivation. In this paper, samples of the milk thistle variety Mirel grown in two different localities (Vanovice–Drválovice and Šumperk) in pilot conditions and in randomized block plots were investigated. Two variants of the experiment, control and treatment with the preparation Stomp 400 SC, the dose 2.5 l/ha, were monitored. Plant height and number of anthodia were found higher on the site Šumperk (178.1 to 183.5 cm and 9.67 to 10.6, resp.). As for the yield-producing elements, higher yield was found for samples from the location Šumperk (1.61 t/ha). Higher average yield was observed at both studied sites for the variants treated with Stomp 400 SC, 2.5 l/ha. However, the weight of thousand seeds was found to be higher in pilot conditions (Vanovice–Drválovice), the average value was 25.83 g.
Breed-Specific Haematologic Reference Values in Adult Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the Humid Tropics of Nigeria

Abstract One hundred (50 males and 50 females) B-not strain indigenous turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, were used to determine the reference values for their haematological parameters. The turkeys were housed in the poultry unit and jugular venepunctures were used to collect their blood. The haematological parameters were determined using standard procedures. The mean values of: the packed cell volume (PCV; 37.29 ± 0.37 %), red blood cell (RBC) counts (2.50 ± 0.44 × 106.µl−1), haemoglobin concentration (Hbc; 10.89 ± 0.34 g.dl−1), mean corpuscular volume (MCV; 150.63 ± 0.73 fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH; 44.29 ± 1.78 pg), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC; 29.10 ± 0.73 g.dl−1), and white blood cell (WBC) counts (12.41 ± 0.83 × 103 µl−1) were determined. No significant differences were found between the male and female B-not strain turkeys in this study. The results will help in the interpretation of cases of disease when there are variations in the values and serve as baseline data for B-not strain of turkeys in the humid tropics.
Damage, scale and recovery in model coral communities: the importance of system state

Spatial models indicate that recovery of coral cover after damage events depends on large-scale system-level properties as well as those that define parameters at much smaller scales. Monte Carlo simulation studies showed that recovery on individual reefs and in the system as a whole depended on the large-scale pattern of disturbance in the system, so that 2 systems of identical average reef state (- coral cover) but of different variance in reef state may demonstrate dissimilar abilities to recover. The models showed that the relationship between recovery rate and spatial extent of damage depends on (1) the effective connectivity of the system (a system-level property), which affects availability of larvae for recruitment, and the relative magnitudes of (2) larval retention (self-seeding) around individual reefs, (3) background mortality rates of coral and (4) the susceptibility of newly recruited corals to the disturbanse. Recovery rates may be highly dependent or largely independent of the spatial scale of damage depending on values of these parameters, and may vary with the intensity of damage. At high reef densities coral recovery rates are sensitive to survival of recent pre-damage recruits if coral life expectancy is relatively short (25 y), but the degree of self-seeding is relatively unimportant. In contrast, if the density of reefs is low and there is no self-seeding, coral does not recover at all but either stabilises at reduced cover or declines, depending on its life expectancy (i.e. background rate of mortality). If reef density is low and there is some larval retention (13% over 7 d), then recovery depends largely on survival of pre-damage recruits and the rate of background mortality is less important.
Characteristics, primary sources and secondary formation of water soluble organic aerosols in downtown Beijing

Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) accounts for a large proportion of aerosols and plays a critical role in various atmospheric chemical processes. In order to investigate the primary sources and secondary production of WSOC in downtown Beijing, day and night fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples in January (winter), April (spring), July (summer) and October (autumn) 2017 were collected and analyzed for WSOC and organic tracers in this study. WSOC was dominated by its moderately hydrophilic fraction and showed the highest concentration in January and comparable levels in April, July and October 2017. Some typical organic tracers were chosen to evaluate the emission strength and secondary formation of WSOC. Seasonal variation of the organic tracers suggested significantly enhanced formation of anthropogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) during the sampling period in winter and obviously elevated biogenic SOA formation during the sampling period in summer. These organic tracers were applied into a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to calculate the source contributions of WSOC as well as its moderately and strongly hydrophilic portions. The secondary sources contributed more than 50 % to WSOC, with higher contributions during the sampling periods in summer (75.1 %) and winter (67.4 %), and the largest contributor was aromatic SOC. In addition, source apportionment results under different pollution levels suggested that controlling biomass burning and aromatic precursors would be effective to reduce WSOC during the haze episodes in cold seasons. The impact factors for the formation of different SOA tracers and total secondary organic carbon (SOC) as well as moderately and strongly hydrophilic SOC were also investigated. The acid-catalyzed heterogeneous or aqueous-phase oxidation appeared to dominate in the SOC formation during the sampling period in winter, while the photochemical oxidation played a more critical role during the sampling period in summer. Moreover, photooxidation played a more critical role in the formation of moderately hydrophilic SOC, while the heterogeneous or aqueousphase reactions had more vital effects on the formation of strongly hydrophilic SOC.
Canopy closure after four decades of postlogging riparian forest regeneration reduces cutthroat trout biomass in headwater streams through bottom-up pathways

Recovery from timber harvest is widespread across North America, but few studies have evaluated long-term stream responses to riparian harvest. We revisited five stream reach pairs where in 1976, periphyton chlorophyll a, predatory invertebrate biomass, and cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) biomass were elevated in reaches where canopies were more open following timber harvest. After four decades of riparian regeneration, mean canopy openness, chlorophyll a, predatory invertebrate biomass, and cutthroat trout biomass declined in harvested reaches relative to paired old-growth reference reaches. In one reach pair, the harvested reach remained more open than the control reach. In accordance with the hypothesis that light exerts strong controls on predator biomass via bottom-up processes in these forested headwaters, trout biomass was also greater in the harvested reach in this pair in 2014. Changes in large wood and pool area over this time interval do not account for chlorophyll a, predatory i.
Introduction, Establishment, Invasion, Accommodation: innovation and disruption in biogeographic publishing

Author(s): Dawson, Michael N; Field, Richard; Hortal, Joaquin; Stigall, Alycia L. | Abstract: Frontiers of Biogeography launched eight years ago, merging the missions of a newsletter and a book, to deliver a series of integrative and interdisciplinary volumes to a diverse community of biogeographers. The journal purposefully was pitched as a 'magazine' aiming to distinguish itself from existing biogeography journals with syntheses and prospectives that would push forward the boundaries of biogeography philosophy and practice. Here, we review the development of the journal since 2009, we survey the journal's current niche in the biogeography publishing ecosystem, and we look forward to changes in the coming year(s) that will further advance our mission to enhance your biogeographical research.
Characterization of the Hamamatsu H12700A-03 multi-anode photomultiplier tube for the LHCb RICH upgrade

The Hamamatsu R11265-M64 MaPMT is the baseline photon sensor to be used for the upgraded LHCb RICH detector. In the external regions of RICH-2 it is possible to use larger tube with a bigger pixel size, allowing to reduce the total number of photodetectors needed, lowering the cost. The recently developed Hamamatsu H12700 MaPMT are an adequate solution. The Milano Bicocca group has characterized a H12700A-03 tube investigating its main operational parameters such as the single photon detection capability, the uniformity and mean gain value, the noise performance, the cross-talk and the behaviour in presence of an external magnetic field. The deterioration of the MaPMT performance due to long periods of operation has also been measured. The most significant results are summarized in this note.
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a leading cause of brain cancer-related death in children. These aggressive high-grade gliomas cannot be effectively treated and are associated with dismal prognosis. Whilst radiation therapy (RT) prolongs survival, it is a palliative therapy, as half of children with DIPG die within 1 year of diagnosis and almost all are dead by 2 years. These statistics have not changed for decades, despite a multitude of clinical trials. No chemotherapeutic regimen has been shown to improve survival, emphasizing the need to find novel and effective treatments. One of the princi- pal reasons for this poor outcome was our limited knowledge of the biology of DIPG’s. Due to their location in brainstem, surgical resection is not feasible and up until recently, even performing a limited biopsy was considered too dangerous. In the last decade, DIPG tumor tissue has become available through autopsies and biopsies. This combined with the genome revolution has resulted in a transformation in our understanding of the underlying biology of this disease. Moreover, viable DIPG cells can now be grown in the laboratory which have allowed development of in-vitro (neurospheres) and in-vivo models (allograft and xenograft). This chapter summarizes recent advances in DIPG and potential novel therapies. of Hh pathway activity resulted in ventral pontine hyperplasia. Hh pathway is essential for the normal development of PPC in humans. Also, Hh pathway activation stimulates and blockade reduces the self-renewal capacity of DIPG neurosphere cells. These findings indicate that Hh signaling, which drives the development of neural precursors in the ventral pons, may play a role in tumor formation in a subset of DIPG. Patients with Gorlin syndrome, a genetic entity occurring secondary to unregulated Hh activity, usually do not develop DIPG [35]. So, in addition to unregulated Hh pathway activity, a second “hit” may be necessary for DIPG transformation. Hh signaling role in the pathogenesis of DIPG was further investigated in a study [92] which identified upregulation of Hh signaling. DIPG samples showed upregulation of Patched (PTCH) and nuclear translocation of Glioma Associated Oncogene 1 (GLI1); both PTCH and GLI1 are key Hh pathway molecules. In summary, Hh pathway may play a significant role in DIPG tumorigenesis by stimulating PPC and transforming them into potential DIPG cancer stem cells (CSC). its combination with perifosine, an Akt inhibitor, was shown to be safe and feasible in a phase I study in children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors including DIPG [160]. This study tested the hypothesis of dual targeting of PI3K-Akt–mTOR pathway. Phase II studies of multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib [161] and farnesyl transferase inhibitor tipifarnib, which inhibits farnesylation of Ras, [162] did not show activity. BIOMEDE, a phase II study, is stratifying patients based on overexpression of EGFR and/or loss of PTEN follow-ing diagnostic biopsy. The patients are randomized or assigned to different treatment arms with erlotinib, everolimus and dasatinib [163].
Reproductive performance of sexed versus conventional semen in Holstein heifers in various semiarid regions of Iran

Abstract For comparing reproductive performance of sexed versus conventional semen a total of 3573 heifer insemination records collected from five herds in four provinces of Iran were investigated. The studied provinces were classified into three regions: hot semiarid (Tehran and Alborz provinces), temperate semiarid (Khorasan Razavi province) and cold semiarid (Zanjan province). Various parameters including the conception rate, number of services per conception, calf sex ratio, calf birth weight, gestation length, calving ease score, abortion and stillbirth as well as twining rate were investigated. The logistic regression method was deployed for the analysis of categorical variables while the GLM procedure was applied for the analysis of continuous variables. The average conception rate of sex sorted and conventional semen was 48.3 and 63.8%, respectively. The utilisation of sex sorted semen resulted in 91.1% female calves. The conception rate, number of services per conception, gestation length, calf birth weight and the calf sex ratio were among the reproductive variables that were significantly influenced by the semen sexing. A greater number of services per conception and calving ease score were observed in hot and temperate semiarid areas. These climatic regions also provided a lower incidence of female calf births compared to the cold semiarid regions. Our results highly reaffirm the previous findings on the reproductive performance of sex sorted semen. Yet, climatic and management practices of a herd within a special climate have to be considered when deciding for utilisation of sex sorted semen in a dairy farm.