Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market information and access to structured markets by small farmers and traders: Evidence from an action research experiment in Central Malawi: Synopsis

Structured markets are organized platforms where economic agents such as farmers, traders, processors and financial institutions enter transparent and legal trading and financial arrangements (East Africa Grain Council 2013). Structured markets are important for the stabilization of volumes and prices of agricultural commodities (Hernandez et al. 2017) and diversification of foreign exchange earnings (Edelman et al. 2014). If supported by export mandates, structured markets for cereals and legumes could also limit informal cross-border trade and increase agricultural exports (Government of Malawi 2016). They could potentially also provide better statistics on volumes traded to aid in the planning, production, and marketing of crops in Malawi (Baulch and Gondwe 2017).
Ozone vs Melatonin: The Therapeutic Effects In Alcoholic Liver Disease Ozon vs Melatonin: Alkolik

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a worldwide health problem.Ozone and melatonin are agents that are widely used for their antioxidant properties in medical therapies.In this study, we aimed to evaluate the use of ozone and melatoninin ALD. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were used, and ethanol, melatonin, and ozone were administrated. Histopathological evaluation was performed and activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA)were determined in the blood samples, while TAS, TOS, and MDA parameters were measured in the liver tissue samples. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the studied groups concerning ALT, AST activities and TAS, TOS, and MDA levels. Vascular congestion, hepatocyte damage, periportal inflammation, and microvesicular steatosis were detected inthe alcohol-induced toxicity group. Conclusions: In the light of histopathological findings, we can claim that melatonin and ozone administrations are beneficial for alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. However, ozone application is superior to melatonin.
Yield and Sugar Production by Sugar Beets as Affected by Leaf Area Variations Induced by Stand Density and Nitrogen Fertilization1

Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.) were grown in combinations of three stand densities with four rates of N application during the season and the leaf area and production of dry weight and sugar measured at weekly intervals to determine the effects of superoptimal N fertilization on beet growth and quality at Huntley, Montana. The highest sugar percentage and yield of extractable sugar were produced without N fertilization with beets 46 cm apart in the row. The highest extractable sugar yields were associated with the lowest leaf area index both at harvest and throughout the season, with the lowest leaf area duration, and with the lowest top:root ratios on a dry-weight basis. Net assimilation rates per unit of leaf area were negatively correlated with leaf area index and leaf area duration. Optimum leaf area index did not appear to be much above 1.9 at October harvest or above 3 at any time during the season. Although the best beets were produced without N fertilization on this fertile soil, lower rates of N than those used might have been beneficial. High N rates produced more leaf area and higher total use of sunlight, as measured by total dry weight production, but resulted in lower sugar yields and juice purity. The net photosynthesis was calculated to be only about one-third of the theoretical total photosynthesis for the climatic conditions.
Assessment of Acoustical Performance of Residential Buildings for Sustainable Liveability and Satisfaction in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria

This study assessed the acoustical performance of residential buildings in Awka, Anambra State to determine the level of satisfactions of the occupants. The study surveyed the residential buildings and distributed questionnaires to the users and occupiers of different classes of residential buildings. The results of the survey were analysed using Means Satisfaction Index (MSI) and Relative Performance Index (RPI) to assess the level of satisfaction of the occupants of the buildings and the acoustical performance of the buildings respectively based on 12 selected acoustic performance criteria. It further used Pearson Product Moment Correlation to establish the relationship between occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings. The study found that the overall acoustic performance of the buildings was grossly poor and unsatisfactory with average RPI of 0.35. It also found that the residents were very dissatisfied with Original Research Article Okoye et al.; AJEE, 12(3): 25-37, 2020; Article no.AJEE. 56378 26 the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live (average MSI =1.74). The study further found that there was significant positive relationship between the occupants’ level of satisfaction and acoustic performance of the buildings with a Coefficient Correlation (r) of 0.875 and a computed t-test value of 5.708 which is greater than the critical tvalue (2.228) tested at 5% significance level. The Coefficient of Determination (R 2 = 0.7567) then suggested that about 75.69% level of satisfaction of the occupants of the residential buildings in Awka could be triggered by the acoustic performance of the buildings in which they live. On this evidence, the study craves for the enforcement of the provisions of the National Building Code as regards to sound control in buildings. In addition, there is need for adoption of different strategies for improving acoustics performance of buildings such as absorption, mechanical decoupling, mechanical damping, blocking, covering, etc., so as to promote good acoustic practices that would improve sustainable performance of our buildings and decline the resulting consequences of sounds in our residential buildings.
Systematic status of the rock lobsters Jasus edwardsii from New Zealand and J. novaehollandiae from Australia

Abstract Rock lobsters of Jasus subgroup "lalandif in New Zealand (Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875)) and south‐eastern Australia (J. novaehollandiae Holthuis, 1963) are biologically similar and gene flow is possible. The variation between Australian populations, and overlap with the New Zealand population, in morphology, colour, and biochemical genetics, and the agreement in life‐history characters, make it impossible to distinguish animals from the two countries. The New Zealand and Australian populations of rock lobster should therefore be referred to as a single species, which by priority is J. edwardsii. The long‐lived phyllosoma larval stage is widespread in the central and south Tasman Sea. Rates of any larval recruitment in New Zealand from animals spawned in Australia are likely to be variable because of variability in flow in the Tasman Sea, and because of the distance involved.
Lipoxygenase inhibition by novel fatty acid ester from Annona squamosa seeds

Studies on the seeds of Annona squamosa yielded a novel lipoxygenase inhibitor fatty acid ester, (+) - annonlipoxy (1). Compound 1 was screened for its enzyme inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase (E.C.1.14.18.1), exhibiting activity with IC50 69.05 ± 5.06 μm. Baicalein (IC50 22.6 ± 0.5 μm) was used as a positive control. Crude extracts of Annona squamosa fruit pulp and seeds were screened for its enzyme inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase and acetylcholinesterase. The crude ethanolic extract of fruit pulp and seeds of Annona squamosa also exhibited lipoxygenase activity with 22.2 and 26.7% inhibition, while the pet.ether extract of seeds of A. squamosa exhibited 52.7% inhibition at a concentration of 40 μg/200 ml. The crude ethanolic extract of seeds of Annona squamosa was also bioassayed for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and it was found inactive.
High genetic diversity in the naturally rare plant Taihangia rupestris Yu et Li (Rosaceae) dwelling only cliff faces

Cliffs are the primary habitat of many rare and endangered plant species, but few studies have investigated the genetic diversity of these species. Taihangia rupestris Yu et Li (Rosaceae) is the only species of the genus Taihangia, which occurs exclusively in small crevices on the faces of north-facing vertical cliffs at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1500 m above sea level. It is a perennial herb endemic to the southern part of the Taihang Mountains in northern China. We sampled fresh leaves from 11 to 38 individuals of T. rupestris in each of eight cliff-face populations located in the provinces of Hebei, Shanxi and Henan in China. The leaves were dried by silica gel and DNA was extracted. We then assessed the genetic variability within and among the eight populations of T. rupestris using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Within the 150 plants sampled, 81.2% of the 117 RAPD markers detected were polymorphic, and Nei’s diversity (H) was on average 0.21 in the eight populations and 0.28 in the species as a whole. The grouping of the eight populations by clustering analysis agreed with their pattern of geographical distribution and with the separation of the species into two varieties (T. rupestris var. ciliata and T. rupestris var. rupestris). Genetic distances (Φst) were significantly correlated with geographic distances. Although significant genetic differentiation existed between groups (varieties) and among populations, a high proportion (65.4%) of the total genetic variation was maintained within populations. Therefore, high genetic diversity is preserved in the cliffdwelling populations, and in situ protection of T. rupestris should focus on the protection of the habitat of both varieties, which may be of particular importance for the long-term survival of this species.
Validation of molecular markers for pathogen resistance in potato

DNA markers have a large potential to improve efficiency and precision of conventional plant breeding programmes based on marker-assisted selection (MAS). In our study, we have evaluated the predictive abilities of the SCAR marker RYSC3 and the CAPS marker GP122564 with regard to the PVY resistance genes Ryadg and Rysto, respectively, and of marker TG689 linked to H1 conferring resistance to Globodera rostochiensis and marker HC associated with high levels of G. pallida resistance. The evaluations were made in 28 cultivars and accessions and in 219 progeny genotypes descending from ten different crosses. We observed in all evaluated cultivars and accessions the expected marker patterns according to their phenotypic classification into resistant and susceptible genotypes. However, in part considerable discrepancies were observed when analysing progeny of controlled crosses involving these resistance sources, particularly with respect to H1. Based on these results, practical aspects for the efficient implementation of marker-assisted selection are discussed, which consider the genetic origin of the material, costs aspects and methodology applied.
Evidence for intraspecific phenotypic variation in songbirds along elevation gradients in central Europe

13 Studying phenotypic variations along gradients may provide insights into mechanisms that drive species 14 distributions, and thus can be useful indicators of environmental change. In mountains, the study of phenotypic 15 variation along elevation gradients is of increasing relevance due to impacts of climate change. We analysed 16 European ringing data to unravel the direction of phenotypic variation along elevation gradients in six common 17 and resident songbird species occurring along a wide elevational range. We modelled intra-specific change in 18 wing length, body mass and their ratio with elevation and found a significant increase in wing length and a 19 decrease in body mass at high elevations. The results of our exploratory analysis show the potential that 20 continent-wide ringing databases offer to describe patterns of phenotypic variation along environmental 21 gradients.
Stripping of Extenral Cell-Associated Fibronectin from Mitotic Fibroblasts

Using a sensitive method to determine the amount of fibronectin (FN), we investigated the release of cellular FN in C3H mouse fibroblasts, which depends upon the progress of the cell cycle. Cells first labeled with [14C]leucine and arrested in confluent culture were trypsinized and replated in fresh medium containing [14C]leucine with or without 1 mM hydroxyurea (HU). The cell number in the untreated culture increased 1.3-fold 36 h after replating, whereas HU-treated cells neither entered the S phase nor divided. The synthesis, turnover and rebinding of FN to cells were almost the same for both cultures. The amounts of FN released into the medium also were the same for untreated and HU-treated cultures. These results indicate that FN was not released into the medium specifically before or during the rounding up of mitotic cells. Immunofluorescence observations using a specific antibody directed against FN showed the presence of FN networks on the surface of the substratum, which surrounded the point at which mitotic cells were attached. In addition, for about half the population of mitotic cells no FN was detected on the cell surfaces. Because of these results, we suggest that when mitotic cells become round, they leave FN in networks on the substratum. Fibronectin (FN) is a high molecular weight glycoprotein present on the surfaces of cells, in connective tissues, and in extracellular fluids (20, 23). One function of this protein is to mediate cell adhesion (25). An addition of FN to transformed cells increases their adhesiveness to the substratum, an adhesiveness that had decreased because of transformation; it therefore restores normal cell morphology (2, 25). Treatment of cultured fibroblasts with trypsin induces the rounding of these cells, probably because FN and other adhesive proteins have been lost due to trypsin treatment (12). It also has been reported that cytochalasin B induces the release of FN into medium, which may be related to alterations in cell morphology after treat* Present address: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Institute , University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, U.S.A. ** To whom reprint requests should be addressed . Abbreviations used: FN, fibronectin; HU, hydroxyurea; DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium; FCS, fetal calf serum; PMSF, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride; HEPES, N-2-hydroxypiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid; CAPS, cyclohexyaminopropane sulfonic acid; FITC-G-antiRIgG, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat IgG directed against rabbit IgG; TCA, trichloroacetic acid; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulfate; PAGE, polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis.
Energy and Large-Scale Patterns of Animal- and Plant-Species Richness

Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the great variation among regions in species richness. These were tested by first examining patterns of species richness of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in 336 quadrats covering North America. These patterns were then compared with the regional variation of 21 descriptors of the environment suggested by the hypotheses. I found that, in the four vertebrate classes studied, 80%-93% of the variability in species richness could be statistically explained by a monotonically increasing function of a single variable: annual potential evapotranspiration (PET). In contrast, tree richness is more closely related to actual evapotranspiration (AET). Both AET and PET appear to be measures of available environmental energy. The relationships between tree and vertebrate richness are strikingly poor. Species richness in particular orders and families of the Vertebrata is also closely related to PET, but not always monotonically, often resembling a replacement series along an environmental gradient. The present results are consistent with the hypothesis that environmentally available energy limits regional species richness. However, my observations are not completely consistent with earlier species-energy theory. The energy-richness relationship appears to depend on scale, and it is affected differently by variations in area and in areal energy flux.
Effects of Egg Antibody to Components of Inflammatory Activation (Phospholipase a2 and Toll Like Receptor 4) on the Response of Young Turkeys to Salmonella Typhimurium Challenge

The effect of passive immunization against two components of the inflammatory response (Toll-like receptor 4 and phospholipase A2) was examined in turkey poults receiving a challenge with Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (ST). The number of ST in the crop ingesta were not influenced by prior oral administration of egg antibody against Toll-like receptor 4 and phospholipase A2. There was a marked effect of the passive immunization on the crop contents 48 hours following ST challenge. The crops of the ST challenged non-immune sera controls were distended and fluid filled while those of poults receiving egg antibody contained ingesta. The dry weights of the ingesta in the crop of the ST challenges non-immune egg immunoglobulin receiving birds were 510% those receiving egg antibody to Toll-like receptor 4 or phospholipase A2. It is concluded that fluid accumulation in the crop of the young turkey following ST challenge may be a good model for bacterial enteric diseases where there is profuse watery diarrhoea. Moreover, passive immunization with antibody to Toll-like receptor 4 and phospholipase A2 reduces the symptoms associated with salmonellosis and possibility other enteric diseases.
Plasma Cortisol and Secondary Stress Responses of Red Drum to Handling, Transport, Rearing Density, and a Disease Outbreak

Abstract The effects of some common fish culture procedures on the biochemical stress responses of juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were examined in the present study. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and osmolality were measured in cultured red drum subjected to capture and handling, transportation, an outbreak of disease, and different rearing densities. Capture and handling elicited rapid, marked elevations of plasma cortisol and glucose in the fish. The responses were transient, however, and the plasma concentrations returned to initial values 1 d after handling. Similarly, transportation of red drum induced rapid but transient plasma cortisol, glucose, and osmolality responses and caused no mortality. An outbreak of disease evoked cortisol, glucose, and osmolality stress responses in red drum. As the disease progressed, the plasma cortisol and osmolality responses became more pronounced. Fish reared at different densities had similar plasma glucose levels. Cortisol titers were temporarily elevated in.
Layer-dependent band to band tunneling in WSe2/ReS2 van der Waals heterojunction

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures are promising for building tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs), owing to an inherent narrow vdW gap between two stacked materials induced by the dangling bond free surface. However, the band to band tunneling (BTBT) of such a vdW heterostructure TFET strongly depends on the layer-dependent band structure variation at the interface. Here, we report a first principle simulation on the BTBT transition of the monolayer ReS2 based heterostructures with monolayer and bilayer WSe2. An obvious decrease of the turn-on gate voltage from 36 V to 12 V was achieved by adding a layer of WSe2 due to the band gap narrowing and momentum conservative Γ-Γ tunneling. Under the gate voltage of 20 V with bias of 0.271 V, the upper limit of the BTBT saturate current density in bilayer WSe2 vdW heterojunction can reach 934 μA μm−1. These results show the bilayer WSe2 heterojunction could be an ideal candidate for lower power and high operating speed TFETs.
CHILLING INJURY. A REVIEW OF QUALITY ASPECTS

The various quality aspects of chilling injury (CI) serve as the focus of this review in which symptoms, occurrence and its alleviation are discussed. CI is a term used to describe the physiological damage that occurs in many plants and plant products, particularly those of tropical and subtropical origin, as a result of their exposure to low but nonfreezing temperatures. The substantial economic consequences of CI have provided the impetus for studying/developing effective means of alleviating symptoms which manifest this disorder. A diversity in plant responses to low temperature stress exists, including alterations in ethylene biosynthesis, increased respiration rates, cessation of protoplasmic streaming, increased solute leakage, and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. These various responses ultimately give rise to an array of visual symptoms (e.g., surface pitting, water rot, poor color development, general loss of structural integrity) which can render severe losses in product quality both pre- and postharvest. A number of different methods are available by which to alleviate symptom development, including manipulation of storage conditions (e.g., temperature cycling, hypobaric and modified atmosphere storage), exogenous chemical treatments (e.g., application of phospholipids, antioxidants, calcium) and genetic modification of chill sensitive species. These are discussed with respect to their effectiveness and possible control mechanisms.
The plant cuticle regulates apoplastic transport of salicylic acid during systemic acquired resistance

Transport of salicylic acid is important for systemic immunity and is regulated by osmotic pressure and cuticle permeability. The plant cuticle is often considered a passive barrier from the environment. We show that the cuticle regulates active transport of the defense hormone salicylic acid (SA). SA, an important regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), is preferentially transported from pathogen-infected to uninfected parts via the apoplast. Apoplastic accumulation of SA, which precedes its accumulation in the cytosol, is driven by the pH gradient and deprotonation of SA. In cuticle-defective mutants, increased transpiration and reduced water potential preferentially routes SA to cuticle wax rather than to the apoplast. This results in defective long-distance transport of SA, which in turn impairs distal accumulation of the SAR-inducer pipecolic acid. High humidity reduces transpiration to restore systemic SA transport and, thereby, SAR in cuticle-defective mutants. Together, our results demonstrate that long-distance mobility of SA is essential for SAR and that partitioning of SA between the symplast and cuticle is regulated by transpiration.