Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of juvenile stunting on grow‐out performance of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Summary Rohu Labeo rohita juveniles stunted for 2, 4, 6, 8 10 and 12 months at 20 and 40 m−3 densities were subsequently cultured for 1 year in six grow-out earthen ponds each 0.09 ha. Each pond was stocked with juveniles stunted for a particular duration (treatment) at a combined density of 8,000 ha−1 from two density groups at a 1:1 ratio. Electronic tags were implanted in 20 juveniles of each density group in all treatments as sub-samples to track fish growth per individual. Another grow-out study evaluated the growth of a fresh batch of rohu juveniles against similar sized but stunted 12-month-old juveniles, stocked together at 8,000 ha−1 density (1:1). Thirty juveniles from each group in this pond were tagged. After the year-long grow-out phase, survival (85.6%–96.3%) showed a positive correlation with the juvenile stunting duration. The study revealed a minimal influence of stunting density on juvenile growth in a subsequent grow-out phase when they were stunted up to 8 months. But a higher stunting density (40 m−3) favoured growth in juveniles stunted for longer periods (>8 months). Growth curves of the lower and higher stunting density groups as well as “all rohu populations” in the treatments showed convergence with those of control (2 months stunted) only in the 4-month stunted juveniles. The growth convergence in this treatment was achieved within 6 months of culture and subsequently surpassed that of control to over-compensate at the end of 12 months of culture. No such compensatory growth (CG) response was observed in the 6- to 12-month stunted rohu, because the growth curves run almost parallel to each other. The study also revealed juvenile stunting for more than 6 months delayed the initiation of the growth recovery process in the stunted individuals during their subsequent grow-out phase. In the second study, identical growth trajectories of the fresh batch and the year-long stunted juveniles reaffirmed a non-existence of CG activity in the later. Such results indicate that juvenile stunting in rohu for 6 months and beyond does not lead to a better fish yield or economic gain to farmers, but rather adds to the investment costs because of the need for more feed and maintenance during stunting.
Tuberkulose-Endemie bei freilebendem Rotwild (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) in den nördlichen Kalkalpen

From 1999 to 2001, tuberculosis has been found among seven free-living red deer in northern alpine regions. The first case was an eight months old red deer fawn, the other six were five stags and one hind. The latter wereshot or found 110 km away from the place, where the fawn had been shot. All deer showed gross lesions specific for tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was cultured from these sites. Remarkable pathologic findings were enlarged lymph nodes especially in the head and neck regions filled with pus. The histological examination revealed epitheloid cells, giant cells, neutrophils and few eosinophils. The causative agent in all seven cases was determined by molecular genetical techniques to be Mycobacterium bovis subsp. caprae, a naturally pyrazinamide susceptible subtype of the bovine tubercle bacillus. To investigate possible epidemiological relationships, the isolates obtained from red deer were subjected to DNA-fingerprinting (i.e., spoligotyping and IS6110RFLP). Fingerprinting showed a high level of homology, but not identity, among the strains isolated from adult red deer. The fawn isolate was notably different, being of the same fingerprint type as isolates from cattle kept on a dairy farm located 20 km apart.
Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro morphogenesis of Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) W.&A. from nodal explants

Multiple shoot production was successfully achieved from axillary buds of Leptadenia reticulata using nodes as explants, and simultaneous organogenesis via callus produced from the base of the nodes. The Murashige and Skoog basal medium was supplemented with combinations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and kinetin (Kn) for multiple shoot production. Maximum of six shoots were produced per node with the combination of IBA (1 mg/l) and Kn (10 mg/l) from the axillary bud. Callus produced from the base of the nodes in combination with indole-3-acetic acid and Kn was isolated for organogenesis. Organogenesis from callus was achieved with the combination of naphthaleneacetic acid (1.5 mg/l) and Kn (10 mg/l) as well as IBA (1 and 1.5 mg/l) with Kn (2 mg/l). Microshoots were transferred for rooting in IBA-containing medium, in which maximum 13 roots were produced in IBA (1 mg/l). Through sequential hardening process, well-rooted plantlets were established in the field.
MAPPING OF QTLs CONTROLLING RESISTANCE TO LEAF STRIPE (Pyrenophora graminea) IN EGYPTIAN BARLEY

Leaf stripe in barley, caused by Pyrenophora graminea, is an important seed-borne disease in organically grown as well as in conventionally grown Nordic and Mediterranean barley districts. In the present work, a QTL map for F2 barley and 7 LSLs) distributed on 8 linkage groups and spanning 2099.4 cM of the barley genome. The size of linkage groups varied from 117.8 cM for LG2 (2H) to 482.9 cM for LG6 (6H) with an average length of 262.4 cM. Based on the used anchor SSR markers, only four linkage groups were assigned to chromosomes, where LG2, LG5, LG6 and LG7 were assigned to chromosomes 2H, 5H, 6H and 7H, respectively. Single point analysis was used to identify genomic regions controlling the leaf stripe severity and plant height traits. A total of 40 QTL were identified for the disease severity (DS) and plant height (PH) traits (20 QTL for disease severity and 20 QTL for plant height). This work represents the first genetic linkage map for barley population derived from an intraspecific cross between At20 and At29 showing chromosomal regions associated with disease severity and plant height traits in barley.
Multifactorial Sex Determination in Chameleons

Abstract Classifying a species as having either genotypic or environmental sex determination may oversimplify the processes that influence offspring sex. Using two independently gathered data sets on veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), we show that a hatchling's sex is affected by the interaction between egg mass and incubation temperature. In both studies, larger eggs produced daughters at lower temperatures and sons at higher temperatures; however, the relationships between incubation temperature, egg mass, and sex diverged markedly between the two studies. The shift in egg-size effects was seen between 25°C and 28°C in one study and between 28°C and 30°C in the other. The links between offspring size, sex, and incubation temperature are not an artifact of differential mortality; in one of the studies, egg survival rates were uniformly high. Other data on scincid and agamid lizards also do not support a simple dichotomy in sex-determining systems. Our results challenge simplistic classificatory schemes and call for a reanalysis of existing data sets to look for multifactorial as well as unifactorial effects on offspring sex.
NUTRITION AND GROWTH OF FOREST TREES

This paper introduces several time-dependent and theoretically related parameters for nutrient addition, nutrient uptake, and plant growth. The new and fundamental concepts developed using this approach can be used either to model plant growth or as treatment variables. While the proposed model is quite different from the traditional view, the experimental results show a high general validity, striking similarity between laboratory and field observations, and unexpectedly high growth and production responses to fertilization
CHROMOSOMES AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF SYLVILAGUS (MAMMALIA, LEPORIDAE) FROM EASTERN BRAZIL

A large geographic differentiation has been reported in Sylvilagus brasiliensis based on external characters and a small number of samples. Karyologic and molecular studies as well as new sampling efforts are need to a better understanding of the S. brasiliensis complex diversity. A new karyotype with 2n=40 and FNa=74 from Rio de Janeiro is here reported. Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b DNA sequence of eight samples from the states of Paraiba, Tocantins, Goias, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro suggested a strong structured population. Both, molecular and karyotypic data suggest that the diversity in the study area may be larger than that reported in the literature on the basis of external characters.
Role of Inflammation in Polycystic Kidney Disease

ABSTRACT Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that is characterized by progressive growth of multiple cysts in the kidneys. Two forms of the disease exist, autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). ADPKD is the most common form of genetic disorder of the kidney. In the United States about 600,000 people have PKD. This disease eventually leads to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) which may take as long as three decades to develop and requires renal replacement therapy. PKD is the fourth largest cause of kidney failure. Interstitial inflammation is a common component of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and, it is a better prognostic marker, than glomerular health, for progression of the disease or kidney function. PKD is no exception. Markers of inflammation are present much earlier than detectable cyst growth and correlate with the disease progression. While in other kidney diseases interstitial inflammation is mostly associated with interstitial fibrosis, in PKD inflammation is also linked to cyst progression. Inflammatory cells such as macrophages have been reported in both human and experimental animal models of PKD, with the degree of macrophage infiltrate associated with disease progression in humans. In animal models of PKD, macrophages have been associated with cyst growth and deteriorating renal function. What may differentiate PKD from the rest of the CKD is that experimental evidence suggests a direct role of PKD genes in regulating expression of some of the pro-inflammatory chemoattractants such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and other cytokines. Indeed, increased urinary levels of MCP-1 correlate with the progression of disease in humans. This chapter will highlight some of the work that provides evidence for the role of inflammation in disease progression in PKD.
Screening of High Efficient Symbiotic Rhizobium for Zhongmu No.1 Alfalfa

The effects of inoculation with 8 rhizobial strains on Medicago sativa L.cv. Zhongmu No.1 were studied.The results show that there was significant difference in different strains for alfalfa growth improvement.The shoot dry weight of Zhongmu No.1 inoculated with rhizobia increased 3.8%～26.12%,the number of nodules increased 2.9%～41.43%,the root dry weight increased 5.8%～41.38%,and the content of crude protein increase 2.39%～8.5% in comparison with the control.Zhongmu No.1 grew well by inoculation with the strain ACCC17544 which enhanced the symbiotic nitrogen fixation,forage yield,and protein content in alfalfa.
Adsorption of DNA by Bacteria and Their Composites with Minerals

ABSTRACT Previous studies revealed the thermodynamic properties of DNA adsorption on pure minerals or biomasses; however, there has been little attempt to develop such studies on bacteria–mineral composites. Equilibrium adsorption experiments, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry were employed to investigate the adsorption of DNA by Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and their composites with minerals. Similar capacity and affinity were observed for DNA adsorption on two bacterial cells. However, different patterns were found in the adsorption of DNA by bacteria–mineral composites. The Gram-positive bacterium B. subtilis enhanced the adsorption of DNA on its mineral composites compared with their individual components, while the composites of Gram-negative bacterial cells with kaolinite and goethite bound lower amounts of DNA than the predicted values. The thermodynamic parameters and the Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that van der Waals force and hydrogen bonding are responsible for the DNA adsorption on B. subtilis–minerals and P. putida–kaolinite. By contrast, the entropy increases of excluded water rearrangement and dehydration effect play key roles in the interaction between DNA and P. putida–montmorillonite/goethite composites.
Effect of training and the reduction of the austenitic grain size on the morphology of the stress-induced ε-martensite in stainless SMAs

The shape memory effect in stainless shape memory alloys is a physical phenomenon related to the fcc(γ)↔hcp(ε) transformation and reversion. The morphology of the martensitic phase is a function of such factors as chemical composition, number of training cycles and microstructure refinement; these are very important because they influence strongly the shape recovery properties. In this work, the martensitic phase was induced in a stainless shape memory alloy by applying training cycles (deformation by compression followed by heating) to samples with average austenitic grain sizes varying between 75 and 129μm. It will be shown using optical microscopy that the martensitic morphology is a function of the grain refinement and of the training. Width of the martensite plates and their distribution within the prior austenite grains will be correlated with the data already gotten by the shape memory group (DEMA/FEM/UNICAMP) and presented in international literature.
Physiological observations on a diatom Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve

A chain-forming diatom Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve collected from Yatsushiro Sea, Japan was cultured to determine the optimum level of some physico-chemical factors for their growth under laboratory conditions. Filtered and sterilized aged sea water enriched by adding nutrient solution (Provasoli 1968) was used as the culture medium. The plankton could tolerate a wide range of salinities (3-55 ppt). Optimum growth was observed at salinities of 20-35 ppt, temperatures of 20-25°C, light intensities of 80-120µE mˉ² secˉ¹ and pH between 7.5 and 8.0. Growth did not occur at salinities below 3 ppt and at temperatures above 30°C. From the present study, it is concluded that S. costatum was extremely euryhaline and tolerable to very low salinities.
Transposable elements activity reveals punctuated patterns of speciation in mammals

Transposable elements (TEs) play an essential role in shaping eukaryotic genomes and generating variability. Our “Cold Genome” hypothesis postulates that speciation and TEs activity are strongly related in mammals. In order to test this hypothesis, we created two new parameters: the Density of Insertion (DI) and the Relative Rate of Speciation (RRS). The DI is the ratio between the number of TE insertions in a genome and its size, whereas the RRS is a conditional parameter designed to identify potential speciation bursts. Thus, by analyzing TEs insertions in mammals, we defined the genomes as “hot” (low DI) and “cold” (high DI). Then, comparing TEs activity among 16 intra-order pairs of mammalian species, 4 superorders of Eutheria and 29 taxonomical families of the whole Mammalia class, we showed that taxa with positive RRS correlate with “hot” genomes, whereas taxa with negative RRS correlate with “cold” genomes. In addition, our study supports the “Punctuated Equilibria” theory in mammals for both adaptive radiation and stasis.
Ecological patterns of water bug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) assemblages in karst springs: a case study from central Montenegro

Abstract The composition of water bug communities from 32 springs located in the central part of Montenegro was investigated. Twenty five species were identified, including 13 reported as new to Montenegro. The most common species were Hydrometra stagnorum and Velia sp. (Gerromorpha). Our study in the central part of Montenegro revealed that environmental and faunistic classification of karstic springs based on water bug communities may not correspond with each other. According to environmental characteristics, springs were divided into three groups indicating anthropogenic impact on the spring habitats. Water bug communities divided springs into four groups. There are differences in species richness between these four types of water bug assemblages and among the studied spring types. Results of CCA analysis revealed spring size as the main driver of biotic diversity of aquatic bugs in springs. Our study showed that community groups of water bugs specified in the biotic classification of spring habitats are much better defined than assemblages distinguished in the environmental site classification.
Effects of NPK source on the dry matter partitioning in cool season C3-cereals (wheat, rye, barley, and oats) at various growth stages

ABSTRACT Dry matter (DM) partitioning into root, leaf, stem, shoot dry weight plant−1 response in four cool season C3-cereals viz. wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oats (Avena sativa L.) was investigated at 30, 60 and 90 days after emergence (DAE) under eight nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) sources: S1 = 20-20-20, S2 = 20-27-5, S3 = 7-22-8, S4 = 10-10-10-20S, S5 = 11-15-11, S6 = 31-11-11, S7 = 24-8-16, and S8 = 19-6-12 in pot experiment at Dryland Agriculture Institute, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, USA during winter 2009-10. A considerable variation in DM partitioning into various plant parts was observed in the four crop species at different growth stages and NPK source. At 30 DAE, 27% of the total DM per plant (TDMPP) was partitioned into roots and 73% into shoots (19% stems + 54% leaf). Only16 % of the TDMPP was partitioned into roots and 84% into shoots (18 % stem + 66 % leaf) at 60 DAE. At 90 DAE, 29% of TDMPP was partitioned into roots and 71 % into shoots (33 % stems + 38 % leaf) at 90 DAE. Percent DM partitioning into stems ranked first (33%) at 90 DAE > at 30 DAE (19%) > at 60 DAE (18 %). With advancement in crops age, DM partitioning into various crop parts increased. The root DM plant−1 (RDMPP) increased from 11.5–722 mg plant−1; stem DM plant−1 (STDMPP) from 8.3–889.0 mg plant−1; leaf DM plant−1 (LDMPP) from 23.1–1031.0 mg plant−1; shoot DM plant−1 (SHDMPP) from 31.3–1921 mg plant−1, and TDMPP increased from 42.9–2693.0 mg plant−1 at 30 and 90 DAE, respectively. Because of the higher N contents in S7 (24:8:16) and S6 (31:11:11) reduced the DM partitioning into various plants parts as well as TDMPP at all three growth stages. The adverse effects of S6 and S7 on DM partitioning was more on oats > rye > wheat > barley. The S4 with 10:10:10 (NPK) and :20S was not toxic at 30 DAE, but at 60 and 90 DAE it became toxic that adversely affected the DM partitioning as well as TDMPP probably may be due its high sulfur (20%) content which lacking in other NPK sources. The DM partitioning to various parts of barley and wheat was more than oats and rye at different growth stages (barley > wheat > rye > oats). Since the DM portioning values were determined on the average of five plants in pot experiment under organic soil at field capacity; in case of field experiments more research is needed on various crop species/varieties under different environmental conditions particularly under moisture stress condition.
Microtubule Stabilization Leads to Growth Reorientation in

The single-cell trichomes in wild-type Arabidopsis are either unbranched or have two to five branches. Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing a green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein4 fusion protein, which decorates the microtubular cytoskeleton, we observed that during trichome branching, microtubules reorient with respect to the longitudinal growth axis. Considering branching to be a localized microtubule-dependent growth reorientation event, we investigated the effects of microtubule-interacting drugs on branch induction in trichomes. In unbranched trichomes of the mutant stichel, a change in growth directionality, closely simulating branch initiation, could be elicited by a short treatment with paclitaxel, a microtubule-stabilizing drug, but not with microtubule-disrupting drugs. The growth reorientation appeared to be linked to increased microtubule stabilization and to aster formation in the treated trichomes. Taxol-induced microtubule stabilization also led to the initiation of new branch points in the zwichel mutant of Arabidopsis, which is defective in a kinesin-like microtubule motor protein and possesses trichomes that are less branched. Our observations suggest that trichome cell branching in Arabidopsis might be mediated by transiently stabilized microtubular structures, which may form a component of a multiprotein complex required to reorient freshly polymerizing microtubules into new growth directions.
Detection of QTLs for Important Agronomical Traits in Hexaploid Wheat Using Association Analysis

Brbaklic L. , Trkulja D. , Kondic-Spika A. , Treskic S. , Kobiljski B. (2013): Detection of QTLs for important agronomical traits in hexaploid wheat using association analysis. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed. , 49: 1–8. One of the main wheat breeder’s goals is determining specific genomic regions which control important agronomical traits. Association analysis is a new strategy with high resolution in plant molecular breeding that could be used to improve the efficiency of marker assisted selection (MAS) for finding important QTLs (quantitative trait loci) or genes. A set of 96 diverse wheat genotypes was phenotypically measured during three growing seasons (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09). Microsatellite markers located near important QTLs were carefully chosen in accordance with existing literature data to validate marker trait associations (MTA). Genomic DNA was extracted using the CTAB method and PCR products were separated by capillary electrophoresis. The population structure was assigned based on molecular data in Structure v. 2.0 software, while association analysis was done by the Tassel program using the Q matrix. Nine significant associations were stable in all years investigated and eight MTA were detected to be significant in two growing seasons. Microsatellite markers which showed significant associations and stability in different seasons can be useful and suitable for marker assisted selection (MAS) in Serbian wheat breeding programs.
A NEW METHOD FOR HARDNESS CALCULATION USING INSTRUMENTED INDENTATION TESTING

Instrumented indentation testing (IIT) is a potential technique to determine materials properties as hardness, elastic modulus and, in some cases, fracture toughness and work-hardening coefficient. This paper presents a review of the current analysis for IIT and the reasons for their limitations. Moreover, it is presented, for some testing conditions, a new methodology to calculate a “true hardness” (HIP), using at the same time IIT curves and the measurements of indentation areas, resulting in a factor called α. Experimental tests were carried out using Vickers indenter and hardness measurements were made on a glass and on bearing steel. HIP calculation is able to incorporate the indentation morphology, which depends on the processes during the loading step and can be estimated from the α value. Three different proposals of analysis for mechanical behavior of materials during an indentation are discussed, as well as the potentials and limitations of the new method for hardness calculation. A practical application for HIP concept is related to the transition between abrasive wear regimes, mild to severe, which depends on the abrasive-to-worn material hardness ratio. The use of HIP concept allows correlating the phenomena that occur in abrasive process with those observed in indentation testing.