Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and surfactants on preharvest drop, maturity, and fruit quality of two processing peach cultivars

The effect ofaminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), commercially available as ReTain, and three organo-silicone surfactants were evaluated in a series of four experiments over a 2-year period in two commercial peach orchards. Four rates of AVG (0,66,132, and 264 mg.L -1 AVG; all applied with 0.05% Sylgard 309) and three surfactants (0.05% Sylgard 309; 0.05% Regulaid; and 0.50% LI-700; all applied with 132 mg.L -1 AVG) were applied to 'Venture' and 'Babygold 7' peach trees 10 days before first harvest. Fruit were harvested according to commercial standard maturation criteria of background color, suture filling, and fruit size. Treatments were assessed in relation to fruit maturity, delay in harvest, fruit size and yield, fruit quality (flesh firmness and brix), as well as fruit quality following 2 weeks of cold storage. Based on sequential harvest data, the maturation of the AVG treated trees was delayed by about 3 to 4 days. Fruit from AVG treated trees were firmer at harvest and 2 weeks following cold storage at 2°C. However, no additional increase in fruit size or yield was detected. In addition, the addition of a surfactant was not necessary for AVG to be efficacious for delaying maturity and enhancing firmness when applied at 132 mg.L -1 AVG. However, when the three surfactants were compared, Regulaid and Li 700 advanced color development in one experiment and Li-700 resulted in firmer fruit in another. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine applications to the clingstone cultivars 'Venture' and 'Babygold 7' can be used successfully to manage harvest activities by delaying the onset of picking and improving fruit firmness.
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Control in No-Tillage Corn (Zea mays)

Canada thistle control in no-tillage corn was studied in Western Maryland from 1990 to 1992. The best treatment at planting for controlling Canada thistle was a tank mixture of 2240 g/ha glyphosate plus 560 g/ha 2,4-D. Clopyralid applied at 210 and 280 g/ha alone and 106 g/ha tank mixed with 560 g/ha 2,4-D effectively controlled Canada thistle in no-tillage corn (85 to 96%). Nicosulfuron applied at 35 g/ha and 20 or 40 g/ha primisulfuron suppressed Canada thistle (59 to 75%). Tank mixtures of nicosulfuron or primisulfuron with 2,4-D or dicamba generally increased Canada thistle control (75 to 87%) compared with control by these herbicides applied alone. Treatments that controlled Canada thistle generally increased corn yields compared with the weedy controls. Yield increases were most dramatic in 1991 when precipitation was low.
A reassessment of the fecundity type of Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in Atlantic Iberian waters (ICES division IXa) shows that indeterminate spawners can cease recruiting oocytes during their spawning season

&NA; Following the classic lines of evidence of Hunter et al. (Hunter, J. R., Macewicz, B., Lo, N. C. H., and Kimbrell, A. 1992. Fecundity, spawning, and maturity of female Dover sole Microstomus pacificus, with an evaluation of assumptions and precision. Fishery Bulletin US, 90: 101‐128.) on the fecundity type of fishes (determinate vs. indeterminate), the stock of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in Atlantic Iberian waters (ICES Division IXa) was shown to exhibit a mixed picture. Total fecundity, the total number of secondary growth (SG) oocytes dropped during the spawning season and there were reproductively active individuals with a distinct size hiatus between primary growth (PG) oocytes and SG oocytes, while no massive atresia was observed in late‐season spawners. All of these characteristics matched with evidence for determinate fecundity. However, daily decrease rate of total fecundity was lower than daily specific fecundity (i.e. the number of eggs produced daily per unit weight) by orders of magnitude which suggested that the stock of SG oocytes was replenished during the spawning period through de novo oocyte recruitment. In addition, the maximum number of batches in reproductively active females was lower than the predicted annual number of spawnings, while total fecundity in recent spawners—those containing post‐ovulatory follicles—was not lower than the fecundity of the remaining reproductively active females. All of these results suggest that, despite the aforementioned mixed lines of evidence, the fecundity of horse mackerel is clearly indeterminate. We attribute these mixed characteristics to the fact that, unlike most typical indeterminate spawners, horse mackerel ceases to recruit new SG oocytes during the latter part of its spawning season.
Do body mass and habitat factors predict trophic position in temperate stream fishes?

In animals with indeterminate growth, such as predatory fishes, mouth size is related to, and increases with, body mass of the organism. As fishes grow in body size, they can consume larger-bodied prey items at potentially-higher trophic levels. Therefore, body size should predict trophic position. Trophic position (TP) is useful for describing energy flow between biota, giving a more comprehensive picture of aquatic food webs, but the factors that influence the body-size–TP relationship are unclear. Additionally, stable isotope-derived TP and body-size relationships are untested for temperate freshwater fishes. Using linear mixed-effects models, we tested fish body mass as a predictor of TP across 6 species of temperate freshwater fish (n = 921 total individuals) sampled from 110 stream reaches in New Zealand, and we evaluated habitat factors (flood disturbance and stream size) likely to affect trophic structure of stream fish assemblages. Supporting ecological theory, but contrasting with some previous findings in marine and tropical environments, we found that TP was positively associated with body size across all species. Habitat factors did not affect fish TP. However, stream network spatial factors included in models as random effects explained the majority of variance in TP across species. Thus, while our study shows that New Zealand temperate freshwater fish body size is positively associated with stable isotope-derived TP, researchers will need to account for catchment-specific spatial factors to make accurate inferences about TP based on body size.
Sequential infection with influenza A virus followed by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leads to more severe disease and encephalitis in a mouse model of COVID-19

COVID-19 is a spectrum of clinical symptoms in humans caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, a recently emerged coronavirus that rapidly caused a pandemic. Coalescence of this virus with seasonal respiratory viruses, particularly influenza virus is a global health concern. To investigate this, transgenic mice expressing the human ACE2 receptor driven by the epithelial cell cytokeratin-18 gene promoter (K18-hACE2) were first infected with IAV followed by SARS-CoV-2. The host response and effect on virus biology was compared to K18-hACE2 mice infected with IAV or SARS-CoV-2 only. Infection of mice with each individual virus resulted in a disease phenotype compared to control mice. Although SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis appeared significantly reduced in the sequentially infected mice, they exhibited more rapid weight loss, more severe lung damage and a prolongation of the innate response compared to singly infected or control mice. The sequential infection also exacerbated the extrapulmonary encephalitic manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, prior infection with a commercially available, multivalent live-attenuated influenza vaccine (Fluenz tetra) elicited the same reduction in SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis albeit without the associated increase in disease severity. This suggests that the innate immune response stimulated by infection with IAV is responsible for the observed inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, however, infection with attenuated, apathogenic influenza vaccine does not result in an aberrant immune response and enhanced disease severity. Taken together, the data suggest that the concept of ‘twinfection’ is deleterious and mitigation steps should be instituted as part of a comprehensive public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Estimation of heritability in maize by parent-offspring regression

It is important for the plant breeder to continually consider the heritability of the trait under selection, the type of individuals selected, and the resources available to develop an effective selection strategy. Parent-offspring regression anal variance components from analyses of variance were used to estimate heritability for grain yield, ear and plant heights, and tassel branch number in BS10 C0 and BS11 C0 maize (Zea mays L.) populations and in the population cross after 14 cycles of selection. Averaged across locations estimates parent-offspring regression heritabilities were low (< 0.07) for grain yield and, with one exception, higher (0.34 - 0.61) for ear and plant height and tassel branch number. Phenotypic correlations between midparent and offspring confirmed the rank of the parent-offspring heritability estimates for all traits. Broad-sense heritabilities estimated from variance components of the progeny trials,yore several-fold greater than those based on parent-offspring regression, which are narrow-sense estimates. Selection is not expected to be effective for grain yield based on individuals but could be moderately effective for the other traits.
Performances de reproduction du poisson chat endogène du Cameroun Clarias jaensis (Boulenger, 1909) en milieu contrôlé

Les performances de reproduction de Clarias jaensis ont ete evaluees entre mai et octobre 2014 a Batie (Ouest-Cameroun). A cet effet, 30 femelles de poids moyen 199, 52 ± 34,85 g ont ete reparties en 5 lots comparables. Chaque lot choisi au hasard a ete soumis a l’Hormone Chorionique Gonadotrophine (HCG) aux doses de 3500, 4000 et 4500 Unites Internationales (UI) / kg et aux extraits hypophysaires des mâles et des femelles. Le poids et le diametre des ovocytes, les taux de fecondation et d’eclosion ont ete evalues. Les principaux resultats ont montre que: le poids des ovocytes a ete le plus eleve (p < 0, 05) avec l’extrait hypophysaire femelle (39,33±17,08g) ; le diametre des ovocytes a ete comparable entre les traitements. Le taux de fecondation a ete le plus eleve pour la dose de 4000 UI / kg de HCG (87, 50 ± 12,45%) suivi de l’extrait hypophysaire femelle (85,08 ± 14,29%). Cependant aucune difference significative (p ˃ 0,05) n’a ete obtenue. Le taux d’eclosion a ete plus eleve avec l’extrait hypophysaire femelle (19, 38 ± 6,58%). La reproduction artificielle chez Clarias jaensis est possible avec l’hormone HCG a 4000 UI / kg ou des extraits hypophysaires femelles. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles: Clarias jaensis, espece endogene, performances de reproduction, captivite, Cameroun English Title: Reproductive performances of indigenous catfish of Cameroon Clarias jaensis (Boulenger, 1909) in captivity English Abstract In order to improve local biodiversity and number of fishes in aquaculture in Cameroon, reproductive performances in captivity of Clarias jaensis have been studied between Mai and October 2014 in Batie (West Cameroon). In fact, 30 females with 199, 52 ± 34, 85 g were divided randomly into five comparable treatments. Each was submitted to a Human Chorionic Gonatropin Hormon at 3500, 4000 and 4500 Internationals Units (UI) / kg of body weight, males and female’s pituitary extracts. The main results obtained were: The oocyte weight was significantly higher (p < 0, 05) with females’ pituitary extracts (39, 33 ± 17,08g), the oocyte diameter mean was comparable within the treatments. The higher fecundity rate was obtained with the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormon at 4000 UI / kg of body weight (85, 08 ± 14, 29%). However, no significant differences (p ˃ 0, 05) were found. The hatching rate was significantly higher (p < 0, 05) with the pituitary extracts of females (19, 38 ± 6, 58%). Clarias jaensis can be reproduced artificially using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormon at 4000 UI / kg of body weight or female’s pituitary extracts. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Clarias jaensis , reproductive performances, indigenous species, captivity, Cameroon
Effects of site selection and taxonomic resolution on the inference of stream invertebrate responses to environmental conditions

Key decisions in the design of biomonitoring programs include taxonomic resolution, geographic extent, and site selection, each of which can affect our ability to infer human impacts on biodiversity from biomonitoring data. These decisions are constrained by monitoring goals and budget limitations, which may require trade-offs between them. In this study, we use species distribution models (SDMs) to assess the effects of key decisions in biomonitoring design on our ability to infer the effects of natural and anthropogenic environmental conditions on the occurrence of benthic macroinvertebrates in streams. We compared 4 datasets that differ in their site-selection strategy, geographic extent, and taxonomic resolution using data from Swiss federal and cantonal biomonitoring programs. We used individual SDMs with 3-fold cross validation to identify the environmental variables that best predict the probability of taxa occurrence across the datasets. We then used a hierarchical multi-species distribution model (hmSDM) to identify how key aspects of biomonitoring design influence the relative importance of the selected explanatory (predictor) variables in the model as well as the model’s predictive performance. The relative importance of the explanatory variables in the hmSDMs was lowest for the dataset with a grid-based site-selection approach and family-level resolution. An increase in predictive performance was achieved by either using a species-level taxonomic resolution for Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera or by combining different biomonitoring programs at the family level to increase the number of sites and improve the coverage of environmental conditions. Selecting monitoring sites to provide a good coverage of environmental conditions, while also targeting sites with rare combinations of environmental conditions, could further improve biomonitoring program data. Models based on finer taxonomic resolution revealed that widespread families consist of species and genera with different and stronger responses to environmental conditions. However, many families include species that are too rare to allow inference of significant responses to environmental conditions. We show that hmSDMs of stream invertebrates can contribute to the selection of specific taxa for identification at finer taxonomic resolution. This strategy could facilitate the standardization and combination of multiple biomonitoring datasets and improve the identifiability of stream invertebrate responses to environmental conditions in biomonitoring programs.
Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) promotes actin assembly in dendritic spines to regulate synaptic strength

Dendritic spines are small actin-rich structures that receive the majority of excitatory synaptic input in the brain. The actin-based dynamics of spines are thought to mediate synaptic plasticity, which underlies cognitive processes such as learning and memory. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate actin dynamics in spines and synapses. In this study, we show that the multifunctional actin-binding protein VASP regulates the density, size, and morphology of dendritic spines. Knockdown of endogenous VASP by siRNA led to a significant decrease in the density of spines and synapses, while expression of siRNA-resistant VASP rescued this defect. The ability of VASP to modulate spine and synapse formation, maturation, and spine head enlargement is dependent on its actin-binding Ena/VASP homology 2 (EVH2) domain and its EVH1 domain, which contributes to VASP localization to actin-rich structures. Collectively, our results suggest that VASP is critical for spine formation and expansion. Introduction Neurons communicate via specialized structures called synapses that are composed of presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals. In excitatory synapses, the
Aplicación de diseños estadísticos secuenciales en la identificación de fuentes nutricionales para Azotobacter chroococcum AC1.

The mass multiplication of plant growth promoting bacteria is a fundamental aspect in the production of bioinoculants. In order to evaluate an experimental strategy that would identify nutritional factors that influence the growth of Azotobacter chroococcum AC1 strain, the sequential application of statistical designs (Placket-Burman design, 27-3 factorial design, steepest ascent method, and response surface analysis) was performed. Eleven nutritional sources: glucose, sucrose, glycerol, starch, monosodium glutamate, urea, commercial yeast, yeast extract, MgSO4·7H2O, K2HPO4·3H2O, and mineral solution were evaluated. Sequential statistical design application proved to be a reliable experimental strategy, allowing 9x109 cfu/mL production from an optimal ration between yeast extract, monosodium glutamate, glucose, K2HPO4·3H2O, MgSO4·7H2O, and mineral solution.
Methods for the quantitative determination of asbestos and quartz in bulk samples using X-ray diffraction

Procedures are described for the quantitative determination of the asbestos and α-quartz contents of bulk samples by use of X-ray powder diffractometry. The method gives satisfactory results for several different types of asbestos and for mixtures of two or more different types. Problems with sample grinding and preferred-orientation effects have been largely overcome. An effective procedure has been developed for grinding samples to a suitable particle size for accurate quantitative work. This procedure works equally well for all the types of asbestos studied and the sample is intimately mixed with the internal standard, nickel (II) oxide, at the same time. A sample press has been designed that enables the same pressure to be applied to each sample when sample holders are filled for the diffractometer, giving the same degree of preferred orientation each time. Calibration lines have been calculated for chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite, and results are given for mixtures containing two or more types of asbestos as well as other commonly occurring minerals.Similar techniques are used to grind samples containing quartz and to mix them with internal standard. Work on both synthetic and real samples is described and results are compared with those obtained by use of an infrared spectroscopic method.
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF VARIOUS MAIZE (Zea mays L.) HYBRIDS UNDER DIFFERENT INTRA-ROW PLANT SPACING

In Pakistan after wheat and rice, maize is 3 vital cereal crop. Globally maize is a staple food of many countries, in Pakistan maize is cultivated on 1,117 thousand hectares having 4,527 thousand tonnes production (GOP, 2014). At reproductive stage a high day temperature (36°C) affects pollination and grain formation of spring planted maize which results in reduced grain yield (Wahid et al., 2007). Different hybrids perform differently under various environmental conditions and agro-management practices. So hybrid selection is a critical management decision for corn growers. Selection of appropriate corn hybrid with high yielding potential can improve the probability of better grain yield at harvest (Thomison, 2008) although intensive management reduces plant stress allowing hybrids to yield closer to their genetic potential (Rouse, 2007). Higher grain yield is produced by newer maize hybrids as compared to old ones mainly because they can remain photosynthetically active longer than older hybrids especially during the grainfilling period. The refuse in photosynthetic activity of older hybrids during senescence is usually accredited to the deprivation of both structural and functional workings of chloroplasts (Ding et al., 2005). Plant spacing refers an important agronomic attribute as it plays an important role for the exploitation of the photosphere and rhizosphere by the plants. Maintaining the proper plant population is key factor for achieving the potential yield particulary in case of maize because it can’t produce tillers (Savage et al., 2004). An appropriate plant population may help more efficient utilization of all the renewable and nonrenewable resources for obtaining higher crop yields. Ogunlela et al. (2005) studied as increasing plant population delays maturity and decreases grains per cob, shelling percentage and 1000-grain weight. Planting geometry affects germination, growth and development of roots and water requirements of the crops. If the plants are arranged in an appropriate pattern then inputs such as water and nutrients are economically utilized (Ali et al., 1998). Increasing plant density per unit area positively influenced the grain yield but up to a certain limit, beyond which decline in mean yield per plant take place (Andrade et al., 1999). Increased plant population become the cause of lodging and creates great competition among the plants for sunlight, nutrients, water for proper growth (Sangoi, 2000). Plant density greatly affects the maize growth and development because it has competitive effect at vegetative and reproductive stages. Maize hybrids respond differently to different plant densities (Luque, 2006). Keeping in view the above facts, a study was conducted to investigate the performance of several maize hybrids under varying plant spacing. Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 54(1), 117-121; 2017 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI:10.21162/PAKJAS/17.5000 http://www.pakjas. com.pk
ProteinUnet—An efficient alternative to SPIDER3‐single for sequence‐based prediction of protein secondary structures

Predicting protein function and structure from sequence remains an unsolved problem in bioinformatics. The best performing methods rely heavily on evolutionary information from multiple sequence alignments, which means their accuracy deteriorates for sequences with a few homologs, and given the increasing sequence database sizes requires long computation times. Here, a single‐sequence‐based prediction method is presented, called ProteinUnet, leveraging an U‐Net convolutional network architecture. It is compared to SPIDER3‐Single model, based on long short‐term memory‐bidirectional recurrent neural networks architecture. Both methods achieve similar results for prediction of secondary structures (both three‐ and eight‐state), half‐sphere exposure, and contact number, but ProteinUnet has two times fewer parameters, 17 times shorter inference time, and can be trained 11 times faster. Moreover, ProteinUnet tends to be better for short sequences and residues with a low number of local contacts. Additionally, the method of loss weighting is presented as an effective way of increasing accuracy for rare secondary structures.