Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Cassava Exportation Policy Affects Household Consumption of Cassava Food Products in Nigeria

This article examined the consumption pattern of households for cassava food products (gari, cassava flour, and fufu) and their substitutes (semovita and yam flour) for the periods before and after the implementation of the Cassava exportation policy using the Almost Ideal Demand System. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered on 218 households in Ibadan North Local Government Area. The analytical techniques used include descriptive and almost ideal demand system (AIDS), from where own and cross price elasticities were calculated before and after the exportation.The mean budget shares of households for cassava food products decreased after the export policy whereas those of their substitutes increased after it. From the result of the computed own price elasticities, the cassava food products were seen to be more price-elastic after the exportation than before it, and the result of the computed cross-price elasticities shows higher values for the substitutes of cassava food products indicating that there is higher shift towards these substitutes after the exportation than before it. The expenditure elasticities were higher after the exportation than it was before the exportation, with the substitutes increasing at a higher rate than the cassava food products. In the short run, the exportation is a strain on the availability of cassava products for domestic consumption and therefore producers of these products will react to demand signals through increased production that will be sufficient for both the local and export market.
Changes in Fatty Acid Composition of two Muscles from Three Different Iberian × Duroc Genotypes After Refrigerated Storage

The changes of the fatty acid (FA) profile of 2 muscles Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris from 3 Iberian × Duroc genotypes were studied: GEN1: ♂ Iberian × ♀ Duroc1, GEN2: ♂ Duroc1 × ♀ Iberian; GEN3: ♂ Duroc2 × ♀ Iberian. GEN1 and GEN2 are reciprocal crosses while the difference between GEN2 and GEN3 is the Duroc sire line. The genotype Duroc1 was selected for the production of dry-cured meat products while the genotype Duroc2 was selected for meat production. Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris BF from the reciprocal cross showed similar changes in FAs profile after refrigerated storage. However, the Duroc sire line affected the FA profiles of intramuscular fat (IMF) and lipid fractions since some differences were found between GEN2 and GEN3. Meat from GEN3 had the highest level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in IMF and lipid fractions as well as the lowest rate of plasmalogens in polar lipid fraction. After storage, meat from GEN3 showed an increase of long chain PUFA in free fatty acids fraction and the highest increase in the ratio DMA/FA [(dimethylacetals/FAs) × 100] after the refrigerated storage, which was indicative of a higher deterioration of this genotype. Therefore, the crossbreeding of Iberian pigs with Duroc selected genotypes (Duroc2) could affect the changes in the FAs profile of meat under refrigerated storage.
Issues and perspectives in dairy sheep breeding

Abstract The present review consists of two parts. In the first part, the authors briefly describe the state of the art of breeding programmes for Italian dairy sheep; then they report new models for genetic evaluation and consider the problem of genotype × environment interaction and the impact of farming systems on the genetic merit of animals. In the second part new breeding goals regarding the evolution of milk quality concept and the increasing importance of functional traits are reported. Regarding milk quality, the authors especially focus on the traits related to cheese-making ability and on the nutraceutical aspects of milk. Among functional traits, resistance to diseases (mastitis and Scrapie) has been highlighted for its great importance in livestock species. Finally, the perspectives of marker-assisted selection have also been reported.
A Correction Factor for Counting Emus from the Air, and its Application to Counts in Western Australia

We used the mathematics of the mark-recapture model to derive a factor correcting counts of emus surveyed from the air. The emus were neither marked nor recaptured, the correction factor being derived from the number of emu groups counted independently by two observers simultaneously scanning the same transect. The analysis suggests that about 68% of emu groups on the transect are counted by a given observer during a standard survey, and that his counts must therefore be multiplied by 1.47 before they estimate true density of groups. Having determined independently the mean size of emu groups as 3.75 at that time of the year, we applied this factor to counts from a survey of 1480000 km2 in Western Australia. Overall density was 0.074 emus km-2, being highest in the pastoral zone at 0.103 km-2 and lowest in unoccupied land at 0.008 km-2. The difference probably reflects availability of drinking water.
Identification of Campania Citrus Limon L. by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

Abstract Genotypes of 10 lemon (Citrus limon L.) cultivars of the Campania region (Southern Italy) have been studied by using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers with 44 arbitrary 10-mer primers. Some of the studied cultivars (Sorrento, Procida, Amalfi, and Gloria d’Amalfi) have been successfully distinguished by their band patterns using five out of the 44 selected primers, confirming that RAPD technology provides a useful tool to identify specific cultivars.
Inverse regional responses to climate change and fishing intensity by the recreational rockfish (Sebastes spp.) fishery in California

The interactive effects of ocean climate and fishing pressure on nearshore rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) were examined using historical commercial passenger fishing vessel catch records from California. Principal component analysis was used to characterize the dominant patterns in catch per unit effort (CPUE) over time (19571999) and space (10′ latitude × 10′ longitude blocks). Ocean climate explained 60% of the variation in CPUE and revealed opposite responses in northern and southern California. In warm El Nino years, CPUE was 4.2 times higher in the north and 1.8 times lower in the south. CPUE responded similarly to low-frequency climate shifts by increasing in the north and decreasing in the south after 19761977. Four geographic regions responded as discrete units to environmental forcing and fishing intensity: North, Central, South, and Channel Islands. Over time, annual fish landings declined sharply in the South, with fishing effort remaining stationary and high relative to that in the other regions.
Critical analysis of root : shoot ratios in terrestrial biomes

One of the most common descriptors of the relationship between root and shoot biomass is the root : shoot ratio, which has become a core method for estimating root biomass from the more easily measured shoot biomass. Previous reviews have examined root : shoot ratio data, but have only considered particular vegetation types and have not always critically reviewed the data used. Reliable root : shoot ratios are needed for a wide range of vegetation types in order to improve the accuracy of root biomass estimates, including those required for estimating the effects of land management and land use change in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
Chemical Constituents and Antiamoebic of Methanolic Fraction from Peperomia pellucida (Linn.)Kunth

Acanthamoeba spp. is the free living protozoain the environment which are opportunistic pathogens of human [1]. Acanthamoeba spp. is the causative agents of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK)[2]. The risks of AK increased by using contact lens are not good hygiene. Antiamoebic therapy were biguanides chlorhexidine (BCH) or polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) which were not effective enough to kill Acanthamoeba cysts [3]. Reported, plant for protected glaucoma, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are Peperomiapellucida in Piperaceae family. This interesting of studied P. pellucida for antiamoebic. Dried plant of P. pellucida was chromatographic by Diaion HP20 and fractionated into methanol : water (1:1, FrI), methanol (FrII) and ethyl acetate (FrIII). The methanol fraction (FrII) was damaged morphological and changed structural of Acanthamoeba cysts, detected by toluidine dye staining are shown under the light microscope, in IC50 29.28±3.64%. The active methanol fraction was studied by chromatography, gave four fractionated fraction A1-A4. A1 led to the isolation of compounds 1, A2 and A3 isolated compounds 2-5. They were identified using spectroscopic methods.
Polysaccharide Synthesis from GDP-Glucose in Pea Epicotyl Slices

Pea epicotyl slices were incubated with GDP-[14C]glucose (1 aM), and the incorporation of radioactivity into products insoluble in hot 0-5 M NaOH was measured. All the radioactivity in the alkali-insoluble product was present as [i-( 1 -»4)-linked glucose residues. The following tests suggest that the product was not cellulose: 88% of it was soluble in hot 4-4 M NaOH, it was shown to be of relatively low molecular weight by gel filtration in cadoxen, and its synthesis was not inhibited by inhibitors of cellulose synthesis. When non-radioactive GDP-mannose (10 /? M) was included in incubation medium, the incorporation continued for a longer period, but its initial rate was not increased. This suggests that the product was a glucomannan. Incubation of pea epicotyl slices with 50 ? uM GDP-1,4C Iglucose, however, gave products which appeared to include a significant proportion of cellulose: 25% of the product was insoluble in hot 4-4 M NaOH, the incorporation continued up to at least 90 min of incubation, and the product was of higher molecular weight than that from 1 /? M GDP-glucose. The tests described permit positive evidence for cellulose biosynthesis in in vitro systems to be obtained.
Is growth performance in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) clones related to xylem hydraulic efficiency

Hydraulic efficiency, xylem pressure, and stomatal conductance were measured in two Hevea clones having contrasting growth performances in their immature phase. Hydraulic efficiency was estimated by the xylem resistance on a leaf area basis on stem, petiole segments, and whole branches. The fast-growing clone exhibited significantly higher xylem efficiency, higher stomatal conductance, and higher xylem pressure. The difference in xylem pressure be- tween the two clones was quantitatively consistent with the differences in hydraulic resistance and leaf transpiration rates. Our results suggest that variations in xylem efficiency may explain variations in stomatal conductance and xylem pressure, and hypothetically, growth performance between Hevea clones. Resume : L'efficience hydraulique, la pression hydrostatique du xyleme et la conductance stomatique ont ete mesurees chez deux clones de l'Hevea ayant des potentialites de croissance contrastees pendant leur phase immature. L'efficience hydraulique a ete estimee par la conductance hydraulique du xyleme par unite de surface foliaire, pour les tiges, les petioles et les branches entieres. Les resultats montrent que le clone ayant la plus forte croissance possede egalement la meilleure efficience hydraulique, la conductance stomatique la plus elevee et des pressions de xyleme moins negatives. Les differences de pressions entre les deux clones sont quantitativement coherentes avec les differences de resistances hydrauliques et de transpiration foliaires. Nos resultats suggerent que des variations d'efficience hydraulique pourraient expliquer des variations de conductance stomatiques, de pressions de xyleme, et, hypothetiquement, de potentialites de croissance entre clones de l'Hevea. Mots cles : xyleme, conductance hydraulique, architecture hydraulique, relations hydriques, arbre a caoutchouc, Hevea. (Traduit par la Redaction) Sangsing et al. 891
Identification and Expression Analysis of Sex-Specific Expression Markers of Thai Abalone Haliotis asinina, Linneaus, 1758

ABSTRACT Expressed sequence tag analysis of normal and subtractive complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries of Thai abalone (Haliotis asinina Linneaus) was carried out. Several reproduction-related transcripts—for example, vitelline envelope zona pellucida domain 2 (Ha-VEZPD2), vitellogenin (Ha-VTG1), sperm lysin (Ha-SL), fertilization protein (Ha-FP), tektin A1 (Ha-TekA1), axonemal protein 66.0 (Ha-Axp66.0), and double-sex male abnormal-3-related transcription factor 1—(Ha-DMRT1)—were identified. The full-length cDNA of Ha-SL (665 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 453 bp corresponding to a polypeptide of 150 amino acids) was obtained. In addition, that of Ha-VEZPD2.1 (1,094 bp with an ORF of 942 bp, 313 aa) and Ha-VEZPD2.7 (1,130 bp with an ORF of 1,002 bp, 333 aa) were also deduced after cluster analyses of ESTs encoding Ha-VEZPD2. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that Ha-Axp66.0 and Ha-DMRT1 were detected in testes but not in other tissues. Conversely, Ha-VEZPD2.1, Ha-VEZPD2.3, Ha-VEZPD2.17, Ha-VEZPD2.18, and Ha-VTG1 were expressed in ovaries but not in other tissues of male and female broodstock. Expression of these sex-related transcripts during gonad development was estimated by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Relative expression levels of Ha-Axp66.0, Ha-TekA1, and Ha-DMRT1 in testes were significantly higher in stages II, III, and IV of testicular development (P < 0.05). In contrast, Ha-SL and Ha-FP levels were not significantly different during testicular development of H. asinina (P > 0.05). The expression levels of Ha-VEZPD2.1, Ha-VEZPD2.2, Ha-VEZPD2.3, Ha-VEZPD2.7, Ha-VEZPD2.17, Ha-VEZPD2.18, and Ha-VTG1 during stage III were significantly lower than those in stage I ovaries of H. asinina (P < 0.05).
Avaliação da concentração de pectinase no processo de hidrólise-sacarificação do farelo de mandioca para obtenção de etanol

Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a concentracao de pectinase (Pectinex Ultra SP-L) no processo de hidrolise-sacarificacao do farelo de mandioca para producao de etanol. Foram avaliadas quatro concentracoes da enzima pectinase com enzima complemetar as amilases e o tratamento com apenas as amilases. Realizou-se a caracterizacao do hidrolisado e residuo fibroso resultantes do processo, e os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a concentracao minima de pectinase para um bom rendimento do processo foi 8Kg enzima/t fibras, com. 89,4% do amido hidrolisado. Quanto ao residuo fibroso, este apresenta potencialidade de aproveitamento com base para produtos dieteticos ricos em fibras.
Macrophages sense pathogens via DNA motifs: induction of tumor necrosis factor‐α‐mediated shock

Cell surface components of pathogens, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are an important signal for receptor‐mediated activation of immune cells. Here we demonstrate that DNA of gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria or certain synthetic oligonucleotides displaying unmethylated CpG‐motifs can trigger macrophages in vitro to induce nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐xB, accumulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α mRNA and release large amounts of TNF‐α. In vivo these events culminate in acute cytokine‐release syndrome which includes systemic but transient accumulation of TNF‐α. D‐Galactosamine (D‐GalN)‐sensitized mice succumb to lethal toxic shock due to macrophage‐derived TNF‐α resulting in fulminant apoptosis of liver cells. LPS and a specific oligonucleotide synergized in vivo as measured by TNF‐α‐release, suggesting that macrophages integrate the respective signals. The ability of macrophages to discriminate and to respond to bacterial DNA with acute release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines may point out an important and as yet unappreciated sensing mechanism for foreign DNA.
EFFECT OF CARRAGEENAN ON PROCESSING AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW‐FAT FRANKFURTERS

Three types of carrageenan (K, I, K+I) × 4 levels (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%) were evaluated with a complete factorial design to characterize the effect of carrageenans on processing and quality characteristics of low-fat frankfurters (9% fat, 13% protein). l-Carrageenan at 0.5–1.0% level appeared to be more beneficial for the production of low-fat frankfurters. It reduced (P 0.05) to commercial and high-fat control frankfurters. Addition of TB had no significant effect. Use of ISP and PSK improved (P<0.05) the water-binding capacity but negatively affected the overall acceptability of frankfurters.
Anostracan monopolisation of early successional phases in temporary waters

The length of the hydrocycle restrains the development of communities in temporary aquatic habitats. Little information is available on the importance of biotic interactions in shaping the communities in these temporary habitats. A common observation in the freshwater rock pool community assembly process is the clearly separated density peaks over time of fairy shrimp (Anostraca) and cladocerans (Anomopoda). Fairy shrimp (Anostraca), the fl agship group and dominant fi lter feeders of temporary waters hatch early after inundation. This contrasts with the occurrence pattern of coexisting cladocerans, which despite higher chances of abortive hatching occur later during the hydroperiod. To study this apparent succession pattern and test the possible presence of a biotic interaction, we set up enclosure experiments in freshwater rock pools in Western Australia and monitored cladoceran (Macrothrix hardingii) densities in the presence of variable densities or absence of fairy shrimp (Branchinella longirostris). The anomopod cladoceran populations decreased with increasing anostracan densities revealing a negative biotic interaction. The competitive dominance of anostracans most probably was mainly due to exploitation competition, with possibly elements of interference competition or predation included. Early hatching and competitive superi- ority may help anostracans in temporary pools to monopolize the habitat with respect to small and/or other fi lter feeding invertebrates. As such they infl uence succession dynamics and invertebrate community structure, making anostracans keystone species of temporary pools.
Riboflavin determination in milk.

A new method to determine riboflavin in skimmed, 2% partially skimmed, homogenized, 2% partially skimmed chocolate, and nonfat dry milk has been developed. Compared to both the organoleptic method and the AOAC method, it is simple, inexpensive and sufficiently rapid to permit the assay of a large number of samples in one day. Quantification of the extracted samples is performed fluorometrically. Recoveries in the range 90–110% and standard deviations from 1.71–3.16 were obtained depending on the product.
Microbial community diversity associated with Sarcotragus sp. and Petrosia ficiformis from the Aegean Sea based on 16S rDNA-DGGE fingerprinting

Abstract Marine sponges are prolific sources for new bioactive compounds and they may contain microorganisms that can comprise up to 40% of the total sponge biomass. Therefore, it is important to understand the function and the specific interactions of sponge-associated microorganisms. In this study, we assessed the composition of predominant bacterial and fungal communities using DGGE fingerprinting of Sarcotragus sp. and Petrosia ficiformis collected from the Aegean Sea. Total community DNA extracted with the indirect DNA isolation method by using collagenase followed by 16S rDNA and ITS amplification of 16S rDNA and ITS amplicons were subjected to DGGE profiling. A total of 8 and 21 individual DGGE bands from 16S rDNA-V3 and ITS1 fragments were sequenced, respectively, and matched to corresponding bacteria and fungi in the GenBank database. Methylobacterium sp. and Chalastospora gossypii from Sarcotragus sp. and Gibberella intermedia and Fusarium subglutinans from Petrosia ficiformis are reported for the first time from marine sponges. Associated microorganisms of Sarcotragus sp. and Petrosia ficiformis are considered as host-specific, as tested sponges from the same geographical location showed different dominant bacterial and fungal diversities.
Tree hollow incidence in Victorian state forests

Summary The availability of tree hollows in timber production forests is a contentious issue facing forest and wildlife managers in Australia. To integrate conservation priorities for hollow-dependent fauna in forest stewardship, public land managers need information on the quantity and spatial distribution of hollow-bearing trees. This information has previously been lacking, but an extensive hollows database exists in the Victorian Statewide Forest Resource Inventory (SFRI). We use the SFRI to estimate simple stand-level models for the density of hollow-bearing trees, and the density of hollow size classes. Models were of borderline predictive ability but were statistically significant. This is consistent with previous models of hollow incidence that have found hollow formation to be intrinsically stochastic. We then applied these models in a geographic information system (GIS) to generate spatial predictions of hollow availability in Victorian state forests. The resulting GIS layers are available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and are a valuable resource for forest and wildlife managers, researchers and the interested public. We also created tables describing hollow abundance for different forest types, and important stand-level trends in hollow availability emerged. We found that hollow density in ash forests (Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus delegatensis) was consistently low and strongly influenced by the presence of non-ash species that are more susceptible to hollow formation. Hollows occurred in E. regnans forest at particularly low density, with less than 37% of trees having hollows until diameter exceeded 125 cm. The density of hollows in non-ash forests was comparatively greater, with more than 49% of trees containing hollows when their diameter exceeded 75 cm.
ARE BIRDS ABLE TO TASTE AND REJECT BUTTERFLIES BASED ON 'BEAK MARK TASTING'? A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

It is widely accepted that birds are able to taste toxic chemical substances in the wings of a butterfly by grabbing or pecking a small piece of the wing without disrupting the integrity of the integument ('beak mark tasting'). If found toxic, the bird will release the insect unharmed. This supposition has been used to explain some aspects of the interrelationship between birds as predators and butterflies as prey, especially the role of birds in the evolution of butterfly color patterns. It also is used to support the theory of aposematisc coloration, especially in butterflies. On the basis of the anatomy of the avian gustatory apparatus, the distribution of the taste buds in the beak cavity, and the physiology of taste, this author considers this supposition a misconception. The frequent beak marks seen on the wings of aposematic butterflies are not considered to be a proof of taste rejection by birds after contact with the chemical compound(s) supposed to provide the insect with a chemical defense, but a sign of active escape of the butterfly from its captor. Some aspects of the interrelationship between birds and butterflies, considered to be well explained on the basis of taste rejection of butterflies via 'beak mark tasting' by the birds, are critically discussed in this paper.