Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Agronomic Traits of Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)

In this study, a set of experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of EDTA-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles exposure on agronomic traits of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plants. The experiment was implemented by applying Nano-Fe3O4-EDTA and Fe-EDTA fertilizers applied through spray or soil amendment. A variety of parameters including Aerial organ biomass, Number of leaves, Plant height, Chlorophyll content as well as elemental quantities of the plants were investigated. The results demonstrated considerably dominant effect of Nano-Fe3O4-EDTA fertilizer on many of the studied factors. The dramatically increased Fe content of plants (137% relative to the control) by using nano-Fe-EDTA, makes this novel fertilizer a promising candidate to obviate iron deficiency problem in plants. Moreover, it was clearly observed that more pronounced positive effects is obtained through soil amendment than by foliar application of fertilizers and only in some cases such as aerial organ biomasses and Fe content, the foliar treatment has turned out to be more effective.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EFFICIENT IN VITRO PLANT REGENERATION SYSTEM IN CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L. VAR. SATIVUS)

This experiment was conducted to establish an in vitro regeneration system for four genotypes, 'Guilio', 'Cesare', 'Augustus', 'Silla' of Cichorium intybus L. var. sativus, using leaf and petiole segments as explants. The basal media consisted of Murashige and Skoog's macro elements, Morel and Wetmore's vitamins, Gamborg's micro nutrients, and 3.5 mM morpholinoethane-sulfonic acid (MES). The medium to which was added BAP 1.0 mg.L -1 and IAA 0.1 mg.L -1 was shown to be more effective in shoot regeneration than that complemented with BAP 2.0 mg.L -1 and IAA 0.1 mg.L -1 . The frequency of shoot differentiation varied, ranging from 20 to 95%, but leaf segments provided better explants than the petioles for callus formation and shoot development. Guilio, one of cultivars of Cichorium intybus L. var. sativus was found to be the best genotype for shoot regeneration rate between 75 and 95%. It took only two weeks after the initial culture to develop the multiple shoots. Roots were differentiated when shoots were cultured on a half strength basal medium composition supplemented with NAA 0.1 mg.L -1 . The sealing of the culture vessel was done with a cap having micropore membrane filters in its center to prevent vitrification by accelerating aeration.
Evolution by natural selection in age-structured populations in fluctuating environments

Empirical evidence strongly indicate that human exploitation has frequently led to rapid evolutionary changes in wild populations, yet the mechanisms involved are often poorly understood. Here we applied a recently developed demographic framework for analysing selection to data from a 20-year study of a wild moose Alces alces population. In this population, a genetic pedigree has been established all the way back to founders. We demonstrate harvest-induced directional selection for delayed birth dates in males and reduced calf body mass in females. During the study period, birth date advanced by 0.76 days per year for both sexes, while no significant changes occurred in calf body mass. The recorded changes in birth date were in the same direction as predicted using standard quantitative genetic theory. These results show that selective harvesting can induce strong selection, which may cause phenotypic evolution in directions not favoured under natural selection.
An autonomous meiosis-specific region of yeast Nup2 (hNup50) promotes normal meiotic chromosome dynamics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Meiosis is a specialized cellular program required to create haploid gametes from diploid parent cells. Prior to the first meiotic division, homologous chromosomes pair, synapse, and recombine to ensure their proper disjunction at anaphase I. Additionally, telomeres tethered at the nuclear envelope cluster in the bouquet configuration where they are subjected to dramatic pulling forces acting from outside of the nucleus. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomere-associated protein Ndj1 is required for bouquet formation. When Ndj1 is absent, these dramatic motions cease and multiple steps of meiosis I prophase progression are delayed. Here we identified Nup2 in a pool of enriched proteins that co-purify with tagged Ndj1 from meiotic cell extracts. Nup2 is a nonessential nucleoporin that functions in nuclear transport, boundary activity, and telomere silencing in mitotically dividing cells. We found that deletion of NUP2 delayed pairing and synapsis during meiosis, and led to decreased spore viability, similar to the ndj1Δ mutant phenotype. Surprisingly, the nup2Δ ndj1Δ double mutant failed to segregate chromosomes, even though the meiotic program continued. These results suggest that a physical impediment to nuclear division is created in the absence of Nup2 and Ndj1. Our deletion analysis of NUP2 identified a previously uncharacterized 125-amino acid region that is both necessary and sufficient to complement all of nup2Δ’s meiotic phenotypes, which we call the meiotic autonomous region (MAR). We propose that Ndj1 and Nup2 function in parallel pathways to promote the dynamic chromosome events of meiotic chromosome dynamics, perhaps through the establishment or maintenance of higher-order chromosome organization.
A note on the distribution of the snow-carps (Pisces: Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) in Pakistan and Kashmir

The snow-carps are a group of carp-fishes mainly distributed in the Central High Asia and the adjoining montane regions. In Pakistan and Kashmir, these are found in the Northern Areas, montane and submontane parts of NWFP, northern Punjab and northeastern Balochistan, They have not so far been recorded from any part of Sindh. In Kashmir Region, they are widely distributed. Among these fishes Schizopygopsis stoliczkae Steindachner was wrongly reported from the Ziarat Valley in Balochistan. This report was actually based on misidentification of two specimens of Schizocypsis brucei Regan. The description of Gymnocypris biwasi was based on the worng identification of S. stoliczkae. Since the distribution of Schizopygopsis stoliczkae has been wrongly shown in Ziarat Valley (Balochistan) in recent literature, this note is meant to rectify this mistake. This species is actually restricted to the transHimalayan parts of Northern Areas in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iran, China and adjacent countries and is not found in any part of Balochistan. A list of snow-carps found in Pakistan and Kashmir along with their distribution is given for clarification. The genus Schizorypris Regan has recently been shown to be intermediate between Barbinae and Schizothoracinae, So a new tribe Schizocyprini is proposed for this genus within the subfamily Schizothoracinae.
Purification, characterization and localization of rice UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was purified from the soluble fraction of suspension-cultured rice cells. The molecular weight of the rice enzyme was estimated by gel filtration chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 54,000 Da and 55,000 Da, respectively, indicating that the enzyme is composed of a single polypeptide. The rice enzyme had an isoelectric point at pH 4.6. The pyrophosphorylase exhibited a high degree of specificity toward UDP-glucose and did not react significantly with the other UDP-sugars. The UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was preferentially localized in the scutellum among the rice seedings
Virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of multidrug resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different clinical infections

Many strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae can produce several virulence factors, such as siderophores, capsules, fimbrial adhesins and antibiotic resistance enzymes, which are important in the adherence, colonization, invasion and development of the infection. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate ten virulence gens in 32 K. pneumoniae isolated from different clinical infections: urine (13), burns (12), sputum (4) and blood (3). Phenotypic methods were used to detect capsule, hypermucoviscosity, ability to form biofilm, produce siderophores, primary and confirmatory test of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect ten virulence genes encoding attachments (fimH, ycfM), siderophores (kfu: iron uptake system, entB: enterobactin, irp-2: yersiniabactin), capsule synthesis or invasions (rmpA, uge, wabG) and beta lactamase enzymes (SHV, TEM). Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion method. According to phenotypic methods, the results demonstrated that, the capsule and siderophores production and biofilm formation were observed in 100% of isolates, while hypermucoviscosity phenomenon was observed in 62.5%. The most common virulence genes were fimH-1, ycfM and entB (100%), uge and TEM (93.75%), wabG and SHV (87.5%). Kfu and rpmA genes were found at medium rates of 65.62 and 62.5%, respectively and at lower prevalence was gene Irp-2 (37.5%). A rate of 84.375% of isolates showed a multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern, 12.5% extensive drug resistance (XDR), 3.12% pandrug resistance (PDR) and the rate of extended-spectrum β- lactamases (ESBL) producing K. pneumoniae was 62.5%. The study concluded that fimH-1, ycfM and entB genes were commonly found in all isolates, they seem to be at the basis of classic pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae. The most common virulence genes were observed in isolates from burns and blood samples. K. pneumoniae became highly resistant to antibiotics especially to 3rd generation cephalosporins and there was positive relationship between presence of virulence genes and ability of the bacterium to antibiotics resistance. Key words: Klebsiella pneumoniae, drug resistance, virulence genes, Iraq.
β-Glucan and Phytic Acid Content of Oats Cultivated in Finland

Abstract β-Glucan and phytic acid contents of five oat varieties were investigated in four variety trials during a two-year period. β-Glucan content was studied in groats and phytic acid content in groats and hull mass and calculated for total grain. Average β-glucan content varied from 1.9 to 5.1% in different trials, and total phytic acid content was from 5.6 to 8.7 mg/g. Significant differences were found in the contents of both chemical compounds in different varieties. β-Glucan content had a negative correlation (r = -0.931; P <0.05) with protein content and a positive correlation with thousand grain weight (r =0.896; P <0.05) in the variety material. The correlation of phytic acid content was significantly positive with protein content (r = 0.959; P<0.01) in the variety material. A significant negative correlation was found between β-glucan and phytic acid contents of groats (r = - 0.993; P <0.001) in the variety material. Within the varieties the correlations between the β-glucan and phytic acid co.
The potential role of dietary calcium in obesity

There is substantial evidence from cellular, animal and epidemiological studies in support of a role for calcium, and in particular, dairy foods in the regulation of weight (McCarron, 1983; Davies et al. 2000; Heaney, 2003a; Jacqmain et al. 2003; Parikh & Yanovski, 2003; Soares et al. 2004a; Azadbakht et al. 2005). These studies suggest, but do not provide, a causal link between increased calcium intake and reduced adiposity. In contrast, randomised controlled trails (RCT) are limited and their outcomes, to date, are conflicting in their findings (Zemel et al. 2004b; Harvey-Berino et al. 2005; Thompson et al. 2005; Zemel et al. 2005a; 2005b). The primary mechanism involves the control of intracellular calcium by calcitrophic hormones, vitamin D3 and PTH. It is proposed that a higher calcium intake lowers the calcitrophic hormones, thus reducing intracellular calcium and attenuating lipid storage (Zemel et al. 2000). Other flow through effects may include the greater utilisation of fat as a fuel source, increased thermogenesis, increased fat excretion, improved satiety and reduced food intake. (Melanson et al. 2003; Sun & Zemel, 2004; Boon et al. 2005a; Gunther et al. 2005b; Jacobsen et al. 2005b; Melanson et al. 2006). In this thesis we demonstrate that the acute ingestion of calcium, increased postprandial fat oxidation in overweight and obese humans. The results were consistent between the two sources of calcium tested (dairy and calcium citrate). Circulating levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were less suppressed, while glycerol tended to be higher following both high calcium meals (Cummings et al. 2006). There was no evidence of a modulation of subjective feelings of hunger, or satiety, nor immediate food intake (buffet) or 24 hour food intake. A prolongation of the inter-meal interval was however observed in subjects consuming the high calcium meals. A single-blind 12 week RCT, with a 12 week wash out period, compared two energy restricted (ER) diets either high (HC 1200 mg/d) or low in calcium (LD 600 mg/d). Forty overweight/obese male and female subjects were recruited for the study with 29 subjects completing both arms of the study. Anthropometric data and body
Approche Factorielle des Relations Entre 8 Tribus de Lépidoptères Tortricidae et 41 Molécules à Effet Attractif sur les Mâles

Une etude des pheromones et attractifs sexuels des Lepidopteres mâles de la famille des T. a ete realisee au moyen d'un traitement informatique specifique sur des donnees collectees dans des revues bibliographiques. A l'aide d'une approche methodologique appropriee (analyse des correspondances), une analyse des relations complexes de type structure-activite (multidimensionnelle), a permis d'etablir une organisation associant les differentes tribus constituant cette famille aux caracteres structuraux et fonctionnels des molecules
ALTERATIONS IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC ELECTRON TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES OF MAIZE THYLAKOID MEMBRANES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE

High temperature treatment (30-50o) induced alterations in photosynthetic electron transport activities of maize leaves in a preferential manner. From the electron transport measurements it is clear that high temperature causes inhibition in photosystem (PS) II catalyzed electron transport and enhances the PS I catalyzed electron transport activities. The possible reasons for the loss of PS II catalyzed activity could be alterations at water oxidation complex which is evidenced for whole chain catalyzed electron transport measurements. The reason for the enhancement of PS I catalyzed electron transport could be opening of new site for reduced ascorbate donation after Cyt b6f.
Polymerization of propylene using MgCl2 (ethoxide type)/TiCl4/diether heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst

Heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst of MgCl2 (ethoxide type)/TiCl4/diether was prepared. 2,2-Diisobutyl-1,3-dimethoxy propane (DiBDMP), diether, was used as internal donor. Slurry polymerization of propylene was carried out using the catalyst in dry heptane while triethylaluminium (TEA) was used as co-catalyst. The co-catalyst effects, such as catalyst molar ratio, polymerization temperature, H2 pressure, external donor, triisobutylaluminium (TiBA) and monomer pressure, on the activity of the catalyst and isotacticity index (II) of the polymers obtained were studied. Rate of polymerization versus polymerization time is of a decay type with no acceleration period. There are an optimum Al/Ti molar ratio and temperature to obtain the highest activity of the catalyst. The maximum activity was obtained at 60 °C. Increasing the monomer pressure to 1 010 000 Pa linearly increased the activity of the catalyst. Addition of hydrogen to 151 500 Pa pressure increased activity of the catalyst from 2.25 to 5.45 kg polypropylene (PP) (g cat)−1 h−1 using 505 000 Pa pressure of monomer. The II decreased with increasing Al/Ti ratio, monomer pressure, hydrogen pressure and increased with increasing temperature to 60 °C, following with decrease as the temperature increases. Productivity of 11.55 kg (PP) (g cat)−1 h−1 was obtained at 1 010 000 Pa pressure of monomer and temperature of 60 °C. Addition of methyl p-toluate (MPT) and dimethoxymethyl cyclohexyl silane (DMMCHS) as external donors decreased the activity of the catalyst sharply, while the II slightly increased. Some studies of the catalyst structure and morphology of the polymer were carried out using FTIR, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Geosmithia argillacea is the anamorph of Talaromyces eburneus as a heat resistant fungus

Talaromyces eburneus, previously unregarded as a heat resistant fungus, is re-described on new isolate from a spoilage outbreak that involved a pasteurized pineapple juice in Japan. Based on examination of the new isolate, type studies, and the D1/D2 region of 28S rDNA sequence analysis, we conclude that Geosmithia argillacea is assigned to the teleomorphic species T. eburneus as an anamorph. Heat resistant fungus identification such as this finding is important in the study of food spoilage.
Comparative Proteome Analysis Of Distinct Variants Of Dengue Virus Using Insilico Approach

The widespread burden of Dengue was amplified over the last three decades and almost half of the world population is estimated to be at the risk of Dengue fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) which has increased drastically in recent times. Therefore, it has been a major concern of public health world wide. The genome of dengue virus encodes a single polyprotein; having both the functional and non-functional region. The predicted motif involved in regulation, activity and stability of virus and protein sub cellular localization of all structural regions of dengue virus variants were plasma membrane. Eight significant motifs like cAMP & cGMP dependent protein kinase, N-Glycosylation, NMyristoylation, Protein kinase C, Casein kinase 2, GTP-Binding Elongation Factor Signature, Tyrosine kinase and Glycosaminoglycan were predicted in dengue variants. These finding might be used to distinguish the proteome function for targeting or designing the antiviral inhibitors against the motifs of Dengue virus.
Research on Enzymatic Characteristics of Anthocyanin Reductase of Tea Plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]

Anthocyanidin reductase(ANR) is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of proanthocyanidins(PAs),which catalyzes anthocyanidins into the corresponding 2,3-cis-flavan-3-ols.For researching enzymatic characteristics of the enzyme,this study was carried out to express and purify the protein by prokaryotic expression and Cobalt ion affinity column purification.The optimal conditions of CsANR1 were observed at 40℃ and pH 6.5. The more substrate preference of CsANR1 was showed on cyanidin over delphinidin.Moreover,Cu2+,Co2+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Zn2+ and Hg2+inhibited the enzyme activity and the enzyme activity decreased 50% after storing 15 days.
Heritabilities and genetic correlation of shell thickness and shell length growth in a mussel, Mytilus chilensis (Bivalvia:Mytilidae)

Shell thickness in mollusks is generally considered adaptive because of their effects on fitness. However, little is known about the genetic basis of shell thickness. This is important, because the response to selection and the subsequent adaptive microevolution of a trait, such as thickness is only possible when that trait exhibits additive genetic variation. Here, we estimated the narrow-sense heritability (h: ratio between additive genetic variance and phenotypic variance) for the traits ‘shell thickness’ and ‘shell length growth’ in a 34-month-old cohort of the mussel Mytilus chilensis obtained by using a half-full sib design and grown in the field. Also, phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated between both traits. We found that h showed significant values for shell thickness (0.294 0.194) and length (0.731 0.379). The phenotypic correlation between both traits was positive and significant; however, the genetic correlation between these traits was not. These results suggest both traits can evolve adaptively by selection, but because these traits did not show genetic correlation, it is possible that selection pressure affecting one trait may not affect the other.
Floral Dip Transformation in Lepidium campestre

[Abstract] Floral dip is a very common technique to stably transform Arabidopsis thaliana (Clough and Bent, 1998; Martinez-Trujillo et al. , 2004; Zhang et al. , 2006) and has also been adapted to some other plant species (Curtis and Nam, 2001; Tague, 2001; Bartholmes et al. , 2008). Here, we describe this method optimized for transformation of the Brassicaceae plant Lepidium campestre (L. campestre)
Production System Comparisons for Selected Woody Plants in Florida

Quercus virginiana Mill. , Magnolia grandiflora L. , Liquidambar styraciflua L. , Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. ‘Drake’, Lagerstroemia indica L. , Ilex opaca Ait. ‘East Palatka’, and Pinus elliottii Engelm. were transplanted from 3-liter containers into 36-cm-diameter fabric Field-Gro containers, directly in the field into 36-cm-diameter auger-dug holes, or into 36-cm-diameter × 33-cm-tall black plastic containers. After 1 year, measured growth parameters of the Magnolia, Ulmus, Lagerstroemia, and Pinus were not affected by production system. Dry weight of Quercus and Liquidambar roots in the “harvest zone” were greater for trees grown in the fabric Field-Gro containers than those grown directly in the field. Quercus height and total carbohydrate content of Quercus and Magnolia primary root samples were increased by the fabric container. The above-ground container system clearly was inferior to the field-grown systems for production of the Quercus and Liquidambar under the conditions of this study.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of a new variety of Dendrobium officinale ‘zhong ke IV hao’

Abstract Here, we reported and characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of Dendrobium officinale‘ zhong ke IV hao’, a new variety from self-cross plants of imported Sichuan D. officinale, obtained exclusively using Illumina and PacBio sequencing technology. The genome size is 152,185 bp, containing a large single copy (LSC) region (85,094 bp) and a small single copy(SSC) region (14,521 bp) that were separated by two inverted repeat (IRs) regions (26,285 bp). The GC content was 37.46%. In total, the complete cp DNA contains 89 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Twelve genes contained one or two introns. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the chloroplast genome of D officinale ‘zhong ke IV hao’ is related to that of the traditional D.officinale.
Biogeomorphology: diverse, integrative and useful

Biogeomorphology is an umbrella term given to a highly‐active research area within geomorphology that focusses on the many and varied interactions and feedbacks between organisms and the physical Earth. In the last 25 years this interest has developed and diversified to include the direct and indirect influences of microorganisms, plants, animals and humans on earth surface processes and landform dynamics, and the roles of geomorphology in ecological functioning, resilience and evolution. This Commentary introduces a virtual special issue of 16 research papers and three ‘State of Science’ pieces, illustrating the diversity of the field, its continued theoretical and conceptual progression, and the applied relevance of biogeomorphological science in tackling environmental problems. Collectively, these papers demonstrate the merits of – and opportunities for – biogeomorphology as an inherently integrative science in understanding and managing the complexity of living landscapes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.