Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient profiles of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) as affected by different processing methods for chickens

The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutritional value of brown marine algae (BMA) as affected by different processing methods as a feedstuff for chicken diets. Brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) were cultivated from Jeddah Red Sea shore. BMA was first sun-dried (SBMA) at average day temperature of 40°C until constant weight. Then, a part of the SBMA was processed by boiling (BBMA) in water (1 part algae at 45°C for 4 part water) for 20 min. Another part of SBMA was processed by autoclaving (ABMA) under 115 bar/inc for 15 min. The BBMA and ABMA were then air-dried at 45°C for 48 h until constant weight. Brown marine algae contained protein 7.54-7.77%, crude fat 0.41-0.47%, crude fibre 7.777. 90%, ash 47.15-48.31%, nitrogen free extract 29.95-31.38% and soluble sugars 1.666-1.880% whereas the metabolizable energy (ME) value was 1523-1543 kcal/kg. Nature detergent fibre ranged from 27.95 to 30.21%, acid detergent fibre from 21.18 to 23.54% and hemicellulose from 6.41 to 7.73% whereas tannins ranged from 0.733 to 0.815 mg/g protein. Mineral contents of BMA were Ca 0.126-0.144%, P 0.239-0.255%, Na 4.01-4.05%, Zn 215-345 ppm, Mn 216-270 ppm, I 12.72-13.51 ppm, Fe 11.2-11.5 ppm and Cu 4.6-4.81 ppm. Valine (0.94-1.03%), leucine (0.88-0.96%), arginine (0.71-0.77%) and threonine (0.63-0.74%) were the most abundant essential amino acids (EAAs) in BMA processed by different methods. The contents of EAAs were 0.17-0.25%, 0.23-0.35% and 0.30-0.40% for methionine, methionine + cystine and lysine. The saturated fatty acids (SFA) were 32-54-35.90%, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) 35.79-37.02%, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 27.77-30.43% and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) 64.10-67.46%. The SFA:UFA ratio was 0.482-0.560. It was concluded that BMA had a valuable nutrient profiles and could be used as a feed resource for poultry feeding.
Biological parameters and feeding behaviour of invasive whelk Rapana venosa Valenciennes, 1846 in the south-eastern Black Sea of Turkey

Objective: To determine length-weight relationships, growth type and feeding behavior of the benthic predator Rapa whelk at the coast of Camburnu, south-eastern Black Sea. Methods: Rapa whelk was monthly collected by dredge sampling on the south-eastern Black Sea at 20 m depth. The relationships between morphometric parameters of Rapa whelk were described by linear and exponential models. The allometric growth of each variable relative to shell length (SL) was calculated from the function Y=aSL b or logY=loga+blogSL. The functional regression b values were tested by t-test at the 0.05 significance level if it was significantly different from isometric growth. The total time spent on feeding either on mussel tissue or live mussels was recorded for each individual under controlled conditions in laboratory. Results: The length-weight relationships showed positive allometric growth and no inter-sex variability. Body size in the male population was significantly higher than in the individuals of the female. All characters in males and females showed a trend towards allometry rather than isometry. While the total time spent feeding increased with increasing prey size the total time that Rapana venosa spent feeding decreased with increasing Rapa whelk size. The total average feeding time needed by Rapa whelks was 160 min. But they took 310 min on live mussels in 27-28 °C in the laboratory conditions. Conclusions: Length and weight relationships, growth type, total time spent feeding of this species were explained in details for this region. It would be useful to sustainable management in the south-eastern Black Sea of Turkey. The results about the feeding behaviour of this species will contribute to the understanding of the role of this species within the ecosystem.
KArLE: In-Situ Geochronology on the Mars 2020 Rover with KArLE (The Potassium-Argon Laser Experiment)

If extinct and/or extant life is discovered on Mars, knowledge of the chronology of the biosphere will be of paramount importance. KArLE will provide absolute ages of Mars 2020 rocks, which will allow us to understand them in the context of Mars' geologic history, connect them to other landing sites, and compare Martian epochs of habitability with the Earth's history and evolution of life. KArLE significantly enhances the ability of Mars 2020 to meet its science objectives by performing in situ age dating on key lithologies, enabling targeted searches for ancient biosignatures and increasing the chances of identifying evidence for Martian microbial life. The KArLE investigation makes its measurements on a core sample obtained with the rover drill, inserted into a small, mechanically simple chamber, followed by interrogation by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), mass spectrometry, and optical imaging. The KArLE experiment is flexible enough to accommodate any partner providing these instrument components, a creative approach that extends the ability of the Mars 2020 payload to accomplish an additional highly-desirable science measurement for low cost and risk and minimal extra hardware.
Intrinsic Temperature Sensitivity of Influenza C Virus Hemagglutinin-Esterase-Fusion Protein

Emi Takashita, Yasushi Muraki, Kanetsu Sugawara, Hironobu Asao, Hidekazu Nishimura, Koji Suzuki, Takashi Tsuji, Seiji Hongo, Yoshiro Ohara, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Makoto Ozawa, and Yoko Matsuzaki Influenza Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa, Japan; Department of Infectious Diseases, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Department of Immunology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Virus Research Center, Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan; Research Institute for Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Special Pathogens, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Tokyo, Japan; ERATO Infection-Induced Host Responses Project, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan; Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan; and Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
Quantitation, Specificity, and Biological Relevance*

Recent studies have shown that although antigens and lectins initiate the activation of T cells, the proliferation of these cells is dependent on a 15,000-dalton glycoprotein designated T cell growth factor (TCGF) 1 (1-9). Accordingly, two antigen-dependent events are essential for the realization of a competent T cell proliferative response: the production of TCGF (5, 7), and the acquisition of a state of specific responsiveness to TCGF on the part of antigen-activated cells (10-13). As a result of this concept it has been proposed that there is a unique signaling apparatus within the immune system designed to transmit exogenous antigenic stimuli to an endogenous, hormonelike control system involving lymphokines (14, 15). A number of experimental findings suggest that TCGF has characteristics similar to polypeptide hormones that interact with target cells by means of specific receptors. The mitogenic effect of TCGF is strictly concentration dependent such that the rate and extent of T cell clonal expansion is determined by the concentration of TCGF available (5, 10, 14, 15). Moreover, the effect of TCGF appears specific for T cells. TCGF promotes proliferation only of antigen- or lectin-activated T cells and has no mitogenic effect on unstimulated lymphocytes, activated B cells, or cells of other lineages (10-15). In addition, TCGF activity is absorbed only by activated T cells (10-15). The fact that such absorption is time, temperature, and cell concentration dependent, together with the finding that both viable and glutaraldehyde-fixed cells absorb the activity, has led us (10, 14, 15) and others (11-13) to propose that TCGF interacts with activated T cells by means of specific membrane binding sites. The definitive demonstration of TCGF-specific binding sites depends upon the development of a radiolabeled TCGF binding assay. In this report we describe such an assay using highly purified, internally radiolabeled TCGF, and show that only TCGF-responsive T cells express high affinity, TCGF-specific binding sites. Moreover, the characteristics of the binding, and the close correlation of the binding and * Supported in part by grants CA-17643, CA-17323, CA-23108, and CA-26273 from the National Cancer Institute; grant CH-167 from the American Cancer Society; and grant AM-03535 from the National Institutes of Health. 1 Abbreviations used in this paper: BSA, bovine serum albumin; Con-A, concanavalin A; CSA, colonystimulating activity; CTLL, cytolytic T lymphocyte line; DMEM, modified Dulbecco's essential medium, EGF, epidermal growth factor, FCS, fetal calf serum, FGF, fibroblast growth factor; HTLL, helper T lymphocyte line; IEF, isoelectric focusing; IFNa, leukocyte interferon, type 1; IFNT, immune interferon, type 2; LAF, lymphocyte-activating factor; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MSA, multiplication-stimulating activity; NGF, nerve growth factor; PHA, phytohemagglutinin; PMA, phorbol myristic acetate; SDSPAGE, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; TCGF, T cell growth factor; TdR, thymidine.
Optical Signatures of Strain Differences in Epitaxial Graphene Nanoribbons

We demonstrate the preparation of both armchair and zigzag epitaxial graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) on 4H-SiC using a polymer-assisted, sublimation growth method. Historically, the preparation of GNRs depended on the quality, or smoothness, of the surface changes during growth. The physical phenomenon of terrace step formation introduces the risk of GNR deformation along sidewalls, but the risk is heavily mitigated by this polymer-assisted sublimation method. Two widths (100 nm and 50 nm) are examined electrically and optically for both armchair and zigzag GNRs. Our electrical results support the expected behaviors of the GNRs, while the optical signatures of variable strain reveal the subtle differences among all the GNR species measured.
Long-Term Grass Biomass Estimation of Pastures from Satellite Data

The general consensus on future climate projections poses new and increased concerns about climate change and its impacts. Droughts are primarily worrying, since they contribute to altering the composition, distribution, and abundance of species. Grasslands, for example, are the primary source for grazing mammals and modifications in climate determine variation in the available yields for cattle. To support the agriculture sector, international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations are promoting the development of dedicated monitoring initiatives, with particular attention for undeveloped and disadvantaged countries. The temporal scale is very important in this context, where long time series of data are required to compute consistent analyses. In this research, we discuss the results regarding long-term grass biomass estimation in an extended African region. The results are obtained by means of a procedure that is mostly automatic and replicable in other contexts. Zambia has been identified as a significant test area due to its vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change as a result of its geographic location, socioeconomic stresses, and low adaptive capacity. In fact, analysis and estimations were performed over a long time window (21 years) to identify correlations with climate variables, such as precipitation, to clarify sensitivity to climate change and possible effects already in place. From the analysis, decline in both grass quality and quantity was not currently evident in the study area. However, pastures in the considered area were found to be vulnerable to changing climate and, in particular, to the water shortages accompanying drought periods.
Double-stranded RNA and virus-like particles in the grass endophyte Epichloë festucae

Two double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) elements were detected in an isolate of the clavicipitaceous grass endophyte Epichloe festucae obtained from an asymptomatic Festuca rubra plant. No dsRNA was detected in three other isolates of E. festucae. The size of the two dsRNA elements isolated from mycelium was of 5.2 and 3.2 kbp. Hybridization experiments with a cDNA probe complementary to the 5.2 kbp dsRNA showed that there was no sequence similarity between the dsRNA elements. Isometric virus-like particles of about 50 nm in diameter were observed by electron microscopy in sucrose-gradient purified virus preparations from the isolate containing dsRNA. The 5.2 kbp dsRNA element was present in the partially purified virus preparations, suggesting that this element is encapsidated. There was no difference with respect to growth rate or colony morphology between the dsRNA containing and dsRNA-free isolates. The presence of dsRNA and virus-like particles suggests the presence of a mycovirus in the Vit5 strain of E. festucae.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Enhances Antifungal Activities of Polymorphonuclear and Mononuclear Phagocytes againstAspergillus fumigatus

ABSTRACT Invasive aspergillosis is a serious complication in immunocompromised patients. The effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on antifungal activities of human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]), human monocytes (MNCs), and rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) againstAspergillus fumigatus were studied. The percentage of PMN-induced hyphal damage was increased after 30 min of incubation of PMNs with 0.1 ng of TNF-α per ml at 37°C (P = 0.043). At 0.1 to 10 ng/ml, TNF-α also increased superoxide anion (O2−) produced by PMNs in response to phorbol myristate acetate, N-formylmethionyl leucyl phenylalanine, and unopsonized hyphae (P < 0.01) but did not exert any effect on PMN phagocytosis of conidia in the presence of serum. By comparison, TNF-α induced only a slight increase in O2− production by MNCs in response to phorbol myristate acetate (P = 0.05) and no concomitant increase in the percentage of MNC-induced hyphal damage. Incubation of MNCs with TNF-α at 0.001 to 10 ng/ml for 2 days had no effect on phagocytosis or conidiocidal activity. By contrast, incubation of PAMs with TNF-α at 0.1 to 10 ng/ml for 2 days increased phagocytosis of conidia (P = 0.03). Thus, TNF-α augments the capacity of PMNs to damage Aspergillus hyphae, possibly through enhanced oxidative mechanisms, and increases PAM phagocytic activity against conidia. As such, TNF-α may have an important role in host defense against aspergillosis, and neutralization of its activity may be complicated by increased susceptibility to aspergillosis.
Development of AFLP markers and genotyping of elite maize inbred lines

The AFLP technology was used to develop AFLP markers characterizing 10 maize inbred lines and generating unique fingerprint for each inbred line. Selective amplification of the genomic DNA from the ten inbred lines, using eighteen primer combinations, revealed a total number of 1143 amplicons. The number of polymorphic amplicons across the 10 inbred lines was 902, representing a level of polymorphism of 78.9%. Genetic distances between lines were calculated from AFLP data using the Dice coefficient. UPGMA analysis and dendrogram clustered the ten inbred lines into two main clusters, each composed of different groups revealing relationships which were basically consistent with the pedigree of the inbred lines. Moreover, unique AFLP markers characterizing each of the ten inbred lines were identified. The total number of unique markers was 122 positive markers and 73 negative markers. The number of unique markers per genotype ranged from 4 to 45. Inbred line Sd 7 was characterized by the highest number of unique markers (39 positive and 6 negative markers). While, line A188 revealed the lowest number of unique markers (4 markers). The results assess the potentiality of the AFLP technology for characterizing at the molecular level and for generating unique fingerprint for each inbred line. This could have great impact in plant improving programs, particularly, of important crops such as maize.
Efeito de bordas lineares na fenologia de espécies arbóreas zoocóricas em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica

A dispersao de diasporos e uma das fases cruciais do ciclo de vida vegetal e a dinâmica fenologica das especies esta entre os fatores reguladores do modo de dispersao e da atividade dos dispersores. Em paisagens sujeitas a fragmentacao, a distribuicao das sindromes de dispersao pode ser modificada devido as mudancas na composicao e estrutura da flora, causadas pelo efeito de bordas, que tambem podem provocar alteracoes na fenodinâmica das plantas. Neste estudo, as sindromes de dispersao (zoocoria, anemocoria e autocoria) de 162 especies arboreas foram identificadas e, para 57 dessas especies, esta informacao foi relacionada a diferentes medidas de fenologia de frutificacao (indice de atividade, percentual de intensidade de Fournier e intensidade ponderada por area basal) em ambientes de bordas lineares e interior de mata. Em todos os ambientes houve predominância de especies zoocoricas e, em geral, a distribuicao das sindromes nao diferiu entre os ambientes. Considerando os tres ambientes conjuntamente, especies zoocoricas e anemocoricas frutificaram ao longo de todos os meses, enquanto as autocoricas apresentaram meses sem frutificacao. Quando os ambientes foram analisados separadamente, a fenodinâmica de frutificacao das especies zoocoricas (N = 44) diferiu entre os tres ambientes. Os resultados indicam a existencia de efeitos de borda na fenologia de frutificacao das especies dispersas por animais, apesar da ausencia desses efeitos na distribuicao das sindromes de dispersao. Isso sugere que a passagem de redes eletricas e gasodutos em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica pode afetar a dinâmica temporal de disponibilidade de frutos para frugivoros, com possiveis consequencias para as interacoes planta-dispersor, mesmo quando nao acarretam diminuicao na oferta total de recursos para esses animais.
4′‐O‐Methylnorbelladine feeding enhances galanthamine and lycorine production by Leucojum aestivum L. shoot cultures

Galanthamine and lycorine are Amaryllidaceae alkaloids that exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. Organic synthesis and plant extraction are the two main commercial sources of galanthamine. Since total organic synthesis is low yielding and complex, and the harvesting of plant biomass is causing wild plant depletion, in vitro cultures offer an alternative approach. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids can be regarded as derivatives of the common precursor 4′‐O‐methylnorbelladine via intramolecular oxidative phenol coupling. The aim of this work was to enhance the biosynthetic pathway of these alkaloids using in vitro techniques. The precursor 4′‐O‐methylnorbelladine was incorporated into the liquid medium of Leucojum aestivum shoot cultures at different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 g/L). The cultures were conducted for various periods of time (15, 30, and 40 days). After alkaloid extraction and according to LC‐ESI‐MS analysis, the precursor highly stimulated the biosynthesis of both galanthamine (0.5 mg/g dry weight [DW], V/S 0.01 mg/g DW in the control sample, i.e. without precursor) and lycorine (0.2 mg/g DW, V/S 0.04 mg/g DW in the control sample) after its biotransformation by the shoot cultures. The optimal culture conditions for the production of both alkaloids were 0.1 g/L of precursor and 15 days of culture.
Temporal and spatial mating-system variation in fragmented populations of Banksia cuneata, a rare bird-pollinated long-lived plant

Plant mating systems can vary significantly in both space and time, influencing a range of demographic and genetic processes critical for the persistence of plant populations. Spatial and temporal mating-system variations were investigated in Banksia cuneata (A. S. George), a rare bird-pollinated shrub occurring in a highly fragmented landscape. Substantial variation in the mating system was observed, with the magnitude of temporal variation within a population often as high as the level of spatial variation among populations within a season. A significant reduction in outcrossing rates and increased temporal variation in both outcrossing rates and correlated paternity were observed in disturbed populations. Doubling of the paternal neighbourhood and a trend to increased outcrossing rate was found after augmentation of a disturbed population where population size was increased from 57 to 214 adult plants. A large increase in the fixation index for seeds compared with adults was observed in all populations, with the magnitude of the difference showing temporal and spatial uniformity. We suggest that temporal mating-system variation warrants increased consideration, not only in assessing the effects of habitat fragmentation on plant populations, but also in the design and establishment of successful translocation, augmentation and restoration programs.
EFFECT OF GELLING AGENTS IN IN VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF BANANA VAR. POOVAN

This study was aimed to examine the effects of different kinds of gelling agents in the tissue culture of banana var.Poovan. Three types of gelling agents namely Agar agar (Himedia), CleriGel (Himedia) and Gelwell (Microxpress) were used as supporting matrices and the performance of the banana cultures w as assessed. There were significant differences in terms of shoot length, number of leaves and number of shoots produced per culture among the supporting media used. Best results were obtained with Gelwell (Microxpress) with 4.01 shoots per culture, while Agar agar and CleriGel containing media resulted in 2.2 and 2.53 shoots per culture respectively. The shoot length (3. 96 cm) was the highest in Gelwell (Microxpress) followed by CleriGel 3.01 cm and Agar agar (2.84 cm).
CHARACTERIZATION AND CLUSTERING OF SOME GUAVA GERMPLASM COLLECTIONS BASED ON LEAF AND FRUIT CHARACTERS

Guava has several different accessions. Guava diversity needs to be studied and evaluated in order to determine the next steps in the guava breeding. The objective of this research was to characterize and cluster of some guava germplasm collections. The study was conducted at Aripan and Subang experimental farm, Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute from January 2012 to December 2012. Five fruits of each accession were randomly selected sampled and then characterized using UPOV guidelines. Obtained data were analyzed by NTSYS ver.2. 1. The Similarity level of 19 accessions ranged from 70 – 90% or the genetic distance was between 0-20%. Dendogram obtained could be clustered into two different groups, namely group I (ARP9406, ARP9407, ARP8653, ARP8742, ARP10.2, JBT001, JBT002, ARP8740, JBT003 and JBT004), group II (ARP10.7, ARP10.6, ARP10.1, ARP10.12, ARP10.9, ARP10.11, ARP8744, ARP8741 and ARP8743). The result of this research can be used for guava breeding. Species diversity and genetic resources are very important to get new varieties. This study would be highly valuable in the future. Keywords : Guava Germplasm, Characterization, Clustering