Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical review of chemical and enzymatic methods for the estimation of nutritive value in roughages

The methods used classically for estimating the nutritive value of temperate forages (grasses and legumes) have to be corrected to take into account the specificity of roughages (crop residues, numerous tropical species, trees and shrubs), which may affect the results of assays. Tropical forages have their own physical and chemical features linked to genetic factors. For example, they may contain tannins liable to form protein-tannin complexes and to inhibit certain enzymes. In general, the nutritive values of roughages cannot be predicted as accurately as those of temperate forages. For tannin-free temperate and tropical forages, in vivo organic matter digestibility can be predicted by chemical methods based on the determination of cell wall contents or lignin, but these methods are less accurate than enzymatic methods (cellulase). Digestible protein content (DCP) is closely linked to crude protein content (CP) in temperate grassland legumes and in tropical grasses. To determine DCP of tropical herbaceous or woody dicotyledons, cell wall nitrogen (ADIN: acid detergent insoluble nitrogen), which closely corresponds to indigestible nitrogen content, also has to be determined. Tannins, which are present in many dicotyledons, also modify the overall digestibility of nitrogen, but their effects depend on the types of tannins present and on other factors, and are difficult to predict. Prediction of PDI (Proteines reellement digestibles dans l'Intestin grele, i.e. digestible protein in the small intestine) requires knowing the theoretical degradability of protein in the rumen (Deg) and the true digestibility of dietary proteins (dr) in the small intestine. The methods of Deg prediction using commercially available proteases permit a useful classification of temperate and tropical forages, but must be used carefully especially in tannin-containing forages. Chemical and enzymatic methods of dr prediction (pepsin-pancreatin) have not been widely used for temperate or tropical forages. Tannin determination provides a qualitative interpretation of differences in the nutritive value between tannin-containing forages. However, none of the numerous methods tested to date can be considered as predictive of the nutritive value. This is partly due to the diversity of the phenol groups present and their methods of determination and to interactions with other digestible nutrients, which makes it difficult to predict the effects of tannins on digestion. For these forages, Van Soest's fractionation corrected for tannin content is a reliable predictive model for energy content, while NDIN (neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen) and ADIN determinations provide an initial approach to degradation mechanisms occurring in the rumen and intestine.
Interaction between food availability and food quality during growth of early instar chironomid larvae

The nutritional requirements of sediment-feeding invertebrates are poorly understood. Therefore, growth experiments with larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius (Meigen) were performed using food items of differing composition. First-instar larvae were reared in the presence of different concentrations of each food item, and larval length and instar were recorded after 1 wk. Saturation growth curves were fitted, and for each food item the slope and the maximum length attained by larvae were estimated. Food items were analyzed for organic matter, C, N, P, carbohydrates, proteins, and total fat content. Maximum length attained by larvae reared on fish foods and on food items of animal origin was higher than maximum length reached on food items of plant origin. In general, slopes of the growth curves for larvae reared on foods of plant origin were higher than slopes of the growth curves for larvae reared on fish food and food of animal origin. Foods of plant origin had lower N, P, and lipid content and higher carbohydrate content than fish food and food of animal origin. Ordination of food composition and the saturation growth-curve parameters indicated that the optimal food composition depended on the amount of food available. For instance, high N, P, and lipid contents stimulated growth at high food levels, whereas the amount of carbohydrate appeared to be important in defining growth at low food levels. We suggest that this interaction is caused by limiting energy availability at low food levels versus limiting food quality at high food levels.
Primer sets for DNA amplification of the noncoding regions of the chloroplast genome in the grass family

We designed 74 primers (37 pairs) for the DNA amplification of 37 noncoding regions in the large single copy (LSC) and the small single copy region (SSC) of the chloroplast genome in the grass family based on the sequence data from Oryza sativa and Zea mays. The utility of the designed primer sets in amplifying DNA was evaluated using five grass species, O. sativa, Alopecurus aequalis, Arundo donax, Cynodon dactylon and Imperata cylindrica. The results indicated that 33 primer sets were useful in amplifying each single DNA fragment from at least three species, and 25 out of them could amplify DNA fragments from all five species.
Applying SVM scheme for modeling of natural gas dew point

ABSTRACT Hydrate formation and water accumulation during transmission process can be prevented by effective dehydration of gas streams. This study investigates the application of support vector machine to estimate natural gas dew point temperature using contactor temperature and TEG purity as independent variables. A data set comprised of 173 data points is extracted from the literature. The proposed model is considered a great help for engineers to have precise dew point temperature predictive tool in wide ranges of concerning variables. Results obtained from the proposed model show R-squared and mean square error of 0.992 and 5.556, respectively. Accordingly, the remarkable agreement between predicted and experimental values is observed.
Polyphasic characterization of Planktothrix spiroides sp. nov. (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria), a freshwater bloom-forming alga superficially resembling Arthrospira

Liu Y. *, Wang Z. *, Lin S. , Yu G. and Li R. 2013. Polyphasic characterization of Planktothrix spiroides sp. nov. (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria), a freshwater bloom-forming alga superficially resembling Arthrospira. Phycologia 52: 326–332. DOI: 10.2216/13–146.1 In the present study, 24 cyanobacterial strains with regular helical trichomes were isolated from four different freshwater bodies in China. These strains were initially identified as a freshwater Arthrospira-like cyanobacterium. Analysis of their 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences revealed that these strains formed a monophyletic group with Planktothrix. Further molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the cpcBA-IGS and rpoC1 genes supported the finding that these strains belonged to Planktothrix, not Arthrospira. In addition, the fatty acid composition showed that the strains contained 18:3α but lacked 18:3γ, which was similar to Planktothrix. These results showed that the alga formed a new group within Planktothrix and that this group, which resembled Arthrospira in morphology, was unrelated to Arthrospira. The strains were distinct from previously described Planktothrix species, and therefore a new species, Planktothrix spiroides sp. nov., was established.
Predator regulation of aquatic microbial abundance in simple food webs of sub-Antarctic lakes

Lakes along the coast of Antarctica and on sub-Antarctic islands are characterized by low biodiversity and absence of vertebrate predators. We conducted manipulations of the planktonic food web of two such lakes at South Georgia, where herbivorous copepods constitute the highest trophic level of quantitative importance for food web interactions. Abundances of algae (as chlorophyll a), bacterivorous flagellates, and heterotrophic bacteria were monitored in 20-1 microcosms and in 0.5-m mesocosms with manipulated copepod density. Microcosm experiments where copepod abundance was adjusted to 0.1 to 10 times in situ density in the lakes, yielded clearance rates for bacterivorous flagellates of 0.10-0.25 l (mg copepod) d -1 . On the contrary, bacteria responded positively to the addition of copepods at rates of 0.08-0.16 1 (mg copepod) d -1 due to the release from grazing by bacterivorous flagellates. In subsequent experiments, the two herbivorous copepods present in the lakes were studied separately. The grazing mortality of flagellates, as well as the positive response of bacteria, could be attributed to Boeckella michaelseni. The larger Pseudoboeckella poppei had no impact on any of the microbial components, even at high densities. This species was specialized on larger food particles (algae). Mesocosms with reduced copepod abundance contained more heterotrophic flagellates but less bacteria than mesocosms with abundant copepods. Thus, we demonstrate strong trophic interactions of copepods, bacterivorous flagellates, and bacteria. In these sub-Antarctic lakes, copepods play a crucial role in the regulation of microbial food webs.
The effect of variation in dietary intake on maternal deposition of antioxidants in zebra finch eggs

1. Maternal diet can significantly influence the quality and size of eggs, and this may, in turn, influence the fitness of offspring. In this study, we show how antioxidants (vitamin E compounds and carotenoids) in the diet of female zebra finches influence the concentrations of antioxidants in their eggs. Antioxidants are biochemicals derived from the diet, which reduce damage to cell membranes caused by the free radicals produced during normal metabolism and growth. 2. Females were given either a seed-only or a seed + rearing food diet prior to egg laying. The seed + rearing food diet was more enriched with carotenoids, but had lower amounts of less effective antioxidants, such as γ-tocopherol. Eggs were collected as they were laid, then analysed to determine the concentrations of antioxidants using high-performance liquid chromatography. 3. Females in the two food groups had similar rates of food consumption and laid similar sized clutches. Females on the seed-only diet produced eggs of similar mass to that of females on the seed + rearing food diet. 4. The concentrations of the most effective antioxidant (α-tocopherol) were higher in the eggs of females from the seed-only group and, for both food groups, concentrations decreased with successively laid eggs within clutches. The concentration of carotenoids in egg yolks did not differ between food treatments, but also decreased with successive eggs. Less effective antioxidants were relatively under-represented in eggs in relation to their availability in food, and were deposited in similar overall amounts between the two food treatments, and independently of laying sequence. 5. Our results indicate that egg size is not necessarily an accurate guide to egg quality, especially when comparing between clutches of different females or across species. Females may be able to adjust egg composition to influence offspring quality variation within broods, possibly traded-off against their personal use of antioxidants, their future reproductive success, control over sibling competition within their brood and/or brood reduction.
Activation of Nuclear Factor κB by Different Agents

Abstract: The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) or other components of this pathway have been identified as possible therapeutic targets in inflammatory processes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. In order to clarify the role of NF‐κB in epithelial cells in response to different stresses, a cell‐based screening assay for activation of NF‐κB‐dependent gene transcription in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK/293) was developed . This assay allows detection of NF‐κB activation by measurement of the fluorescence of the reporter protein destabilized enhanced green fluorescent protein (d2EGFP). For characterization of the cell‐based assay, activation of the pathway by several agents, for example, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), camptothecin and phorbol ester (PMA), and the influence of the culture conditions on NF‐κB activation by TNF‐α were examined. NF‐κB was activated by TNF‐α, IL‐1β, PMA, and camptothecin in a dose‐dependent manner, but not by LPS. TNF‐α results in the strongest induction of NF‐κB‐dependent gene expression. However, this response fluctuated from 30 to 90% of the cell population showing d2EGFP expression. This variation can be explained by differences in growth duration and cell density at the time of treatment. With increasing confluence of the cells, the activation potential decreased. In a confluent cell layer, only 20–35% of the cell population showed d2EGFP expression. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon can be the production of soluble factors by the cells inhibiting the NF‐κB activation or direct communication via gap junctions in the cell layer diminishing the TNF‐α response.
Evaluation of Zapoteca tetragona Forage as Alternative Protein Source in Ruminants’ Feeding

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional characteristics of Zapoteca tetragona (Willd.) H. Hern to assess the suitability of this plant for ruminant nutrition. The nutritional evaluation consisted of in vitro and in vivo trials. Secondary compounds including total phenols, condensed tannin and non-protein amino acids (NPAA) were determined. Two stage in vitro digestibility was conducted using substrates with increasing levels of Z. tetragona replacing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as control feed. The inclusion of 30% Z. tetragona was compared to 100% elephant grass by in vitro gas production technique and in vivo digestibility trial using sheep. Forage from Z. tetragona was appreciably high in crude protein (CP) and lower in neutral detergent fibre. Moreover, it was rich in Ca and P. Total phenols, condensed tannin and NPAA contents were very low. In vitro gas production technique showed that after 48 h incubation, the gas produced from Z. tetragona was higher than elephant grass (P<0.05). Increasing level of Z. tetragona led to better dry matter (DM) and CP digestibility compared to elephant grass. In vivo trial showed no difference in DM intake between the two tested feed, however higher CP intake was reported when sheep fed Z. tetragona as well as for CP digestibility and N retention (P<0.05). It can be concluded that Z. tetragona has a strong potential as forage crop with valuable nutritional quality. Moreover, Z. tetragona could represent an alternative feedstuff to conventional forage and a promising substitute fodder in tropical ecosystem.
Transcriptome Analysis of Self- and Cross-pollinated Pistils of Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)

Solanaceae, Rosaceae, and Plantaginaceae exhibit the S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system. This type of GSI is controlled by a single polymorphic locus ( S locus) containing the pistil S determinant gene, S-ribonuclease ( S-RNase ), and the pollen S determinant, the S locus F-box gene ( SFB/SLF ). In addition to these determinant genes, non-S factors, called modifier genes, are required for the GSI reaction. Here, we conducted large-scale transcriptome analysis of unpollinated, self-pollinated, and cross-pollinated pistils of Japanese apricot ( Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. cv. Nanko) to capture all of the molecular events induced by the GSI reaction in Prunus , using next-generation sequencing technologies. We obtained 40,061 unigenes from 77,521,310 reads from pollinated and unpollinated pistils and pollen grains. Among these unigenes, 29,985 and 27,898 unigene sequences showed at least one hit against the NCBI nr and TAIR10 protein databases, respective - ly, in BLASTX searches using an E-value cutoff of 1e-6. Digital expression analysis showed that 8,907 and 10,190 unigenes were expressed at significantly different levels between unpollinated (UP) and cross-pollinated (CP) pistils and between UP and self-pollinated (SP) pistils, respectively. The expression of 4,348 unigenes in both CP and SP pollination was commonly and significantly different from that in UP, while the expression of 4,559 and 5,842 unigenes in CP and SP, respectively, was specifically and significantly different from UP. The expression of 2,227 unigenes was up-regulated both in CP and SP compared with UP. Genes supposedly involved in S-RNase-based GSI were included among the unigenes up-regulated by pollination, while no unigenes homologous to the solanaceous pistil modifiers HT-B or 120K were included among the unigenes up-regulated by pollination or in the whole unpollinated/pollinated pistil transcriptome. We discuss the distinct molecular mechanism of S-RNase-based GSI in Prunus .
Synthesis of a C-Iminoribofuranoside Analog of the Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) Inhibitor FK866

FK866 (also named APO866 or WK175) is a potent NAMPT inhibitor being evaluated (Phase II) as a potential anticancer drug. The preparation of the C-iminoribofuranoside analog (2E)-N-[4-(1-benzoylpiperidin-4-yl)butyl]-3-{3-[(2S,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl]phenyl}prop-2-enamide ((-)-1) is reported.
A Rapid, Ethanol-Free Fish Tissue Collection Method for Molecular Genetic Analyses

Abstract Saving valuable time in genetics research has been thoroughly addressed by the biotechnical industry in the form of ever-faster and safer DNA isolation and genotyping systems, such as solvent-free robotic DNA isolation stations, fast polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines, and semiautomated genetic analyzers. As a result, the time bottleneck has shifted to the tissue-processing phase of many projects. We developed and tested a fish tissue collection method that reduces this bottleneck by replacing liquid preservative with chromatography paper, thus providing important time-saving advantages and greater convenience while removing hazardous material constraints from tissue handling. The results show that genomic DNA isolated from caudal-fin tissue samples collected on chromatography paper is similar in mean total yield, gel appearance, and PCR performance to DNA from tissues collected with ethanol in tubes. This collection method also reduces tissue-processing time to a small fraction of the time.
Market Clearing and Settlement Using Participant Based Distributed Slack Optimal Power Flow Model for a Double Sided Electricity Auction Market – Part II

Abstract Even though non-linear Optimal Power Flow model proposed in part I of this paper provide accurate results there are difficulties in solving a full non-linear Optimal Power Flow model since it is a very time consuming. Due to speed and robustness, Linear Programming model is preferred by the system operators for nodal price calculations. It is a challenge to incorporate transmission losses into the losses linear DC power model. In this paper to model line flow operating limit inequality constraint a lossless Participant Based Distributed Slack DC Power Flow model is derived from Newton-Raphson state correction scheme used in part I of this work. An equivalent lumped linear model for the Participant Based Distributed Slack Lumped Nonlinear Optimal Power Flow model called Participant Based Distributed Slack Lumped Linear Optimal Power Flow model is developed in part II of this paper. The results for market clearing and settlement of double sided electricity market by the proposed lumped linear model are compared with the nonlinear model proposed in part I of this work using case studies on PJM system, IEEE 30 bus system and IEEE 118 bus system. The results obtained indicate the speed and robustness of the proposed linear model.
Together

His parents sent him to the prestigious boarding school Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, when he was 13. [6] In his book, The Road Less Traveled,[7] he confides the story of his brief stay at Exeter, and admits that it was a most miserable time. Finally, at age 15, during the spring holiday of his third year, he came home and refused to return to the school, whereupon his parents sought psychiatric help for him and he was (much to his amusement in later life) diagnosed with depression and recommended for a month's stay in a psychiatric hospital (unless he chose to return to school). He then transferred to Friends Seminary (a private K–12 school) in late 1952, and graduated in 1954, after which he received a BA from Harvard in 1958, and an MD degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1963. [6]
Response surface models to predict broiler performance and applications for economic analysis

A study was carried out to elaborate response surface models using broiler performance data recovered from literature in order to predict performance and elaborate economic analyses. Nineteen studies published between 1995 and 2005 were retrieved using the systematic literature review method. Weight gain and feed conversion data were collected from eight studies that fulfilled the pre-established inclusion criteria, and a response surface model was adjusted using crude protein, environmental temperature, and age as independent variables. The models produced for weight gain (r2 = 0.93) and feed conversion (r2 = 0.85) were accurate, precise, and not biased. Protein levels, environmental temperature and age showed linear and quadratic effects on weight gain and feed conversion. There was no interaction between protein level and environmental temperature. Age and crude protein showed interaction for weight gain and feed conversion, whereas interaction between age and temperature was detected only for weight gain. It was possible to perform economic analyses to determine maximum profit as a function of the variables that were included in the model. It was concluded that the response surface models are effective to predict the performance of broiler chickens and allow the elaboration of economic analyses to optimize profit.
Genetic Algorithm for Predicting Permeability During Production Enhancement by Acidizing

Acidizing, a very common stimulation process, is generally initiated when near well-bore formation damage causes a reduction in the productivity of an oil or gas reservoir. The ultimate goal of acidizing is to improve the near wellbore permeability and hence it is required that the permeability change due to the process be evaluated. Predictions of permeability alteration can be made before starting a project, and also, the altered permeability can be stated after the process. This paper describes a computer model that predicts the permeability alteration of an acidization process. A complete computer package is developed which consists of iterative optimizations and huge computations in order to simulate the permeability and porosity changes at each point during the process and, finally, to predict the post process permeability. As the optimization algorithm, a genetic algorithm, which is somewhat more effective than the conventional ones, is used in the computer model. Thus a solution technique for a permeability prediction problem in acidizing is presented in this paper, with all its uniqueness of type and effectiveness in practical applications.