Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and breeding of tedera for Mediterranean climates in southern Australia

Abstract. Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa C.H. Stirton var. albomarginata and var. crassiuscula) has been identified as one of the most productive and drought-tolerant species of herbaceous perennial legumes based on 6 years of field evaluation in Western Australia in areas with Mediterranean climate and annual rainfall ranging from 200 to 600 mm. Importantly, tedera demonstrated broad adaptation to diverse soils, and some accessions have shown moderate levels of tolerance to waterlogging and salinity. Tedera exhibits minimal leaf shedding during summer and autumn. Economic modelling strongly suggests that giving livestock access to green tedera in summer and autumn will dramatically increase farm profit by reducing supplementary feeding. The breeding program (2006–12) evaluated the available genetic diversity of tedera for its field performance in seven nurseries with 6498 spaced plants in total covering a wide variation in rainfall, soils and seasons. Best overall plants were selected using a multivariate selection index generated with best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) of dry matter cuts and leaf retention traits. The breeding program also evaluated tedera for grazing tolerance, grazing preference by livestock, waterlogging tolerance, seed production, cold tolerance, disease susceptibility and presence of secondary compounds. Tedera is a diploid, self-pollinated species. Therefore, 28 elite parents were hand-crossed in several combinations to combine outstanding attributes of parents; F1 hybrids were confirmed with the aid of highly polymorphic, simple sequence repeat markers. The F1s were progressed to F4s by single-seed descent breeding. Elite parent plants were selfed for two generations to be progressed in the breeding program without hybridisation. Over time, selections from the crossing and selfing program will deliver cultivars of three ideotypes: (i) drought-tolerant, (ii) cold- and drought-tolerant, (iii) waterlogging- and drought-tolerant.
Original Article Effect of gamma rays on yield and yield components characters R3 generation in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

The effect of gamma rays on germination, morphological yield and yield components characters in cowpea was studied by treating the seeds with different doses of gamma rays (0 control, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50KR), the morphological, yield and yield components characters days to first flower, plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plants, number of seeds per plant, 100 seeds weight and yield per plant decreased with increased with increasing dose of gamma rays were recorded.
Characterization of calpastatin gene in Iranian Afshari sheep

Calpastatin is an endogenous inhibitor of calpain (calcium-dependent cysteine protease). Calpastatin activity is highly related to the rate of protein turnover and rate of meat tenderization. In order to characterize the structure of calpastatin in Iranian Afshari breed of sheep, intron 6 and partial exon 7 of the L domain were amplified and sequenced. A fragment of approximately 1.5 kb was identified. In this study, an Afshari calpastatin gene fragment that encoded L Domain amino acids was detected. Hence by detection of such conserved mutations, it is possible to use these polymorphisms in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS).
Effect of Season of the year and Ovarian Structures on Oocytes Recovery Rate, Quality and Meiotic Competence in Egyptian Buffaloes

2 Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of season of the year and ovarian structure (corpus luteum) on the recovery rate, quality and maturation of Egyptian buffalo oocytes. For this purpose, ovaries were collected from slaughtered buffaloes and oocytes were scored after recovery by aspiration. Oocytes were matured in vitro for 24 h and evaluated for nuclear maturation after staining by 1% orcein stain. Results showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher recovery rate, quality and maturation rate of buffalo oocytes from ovaries collected during Spring season (high ovarian activity) than those in Summer season (Low ovarian activity). Presence of luteal structure had no significant effect on oocyte yield and quality, though a significantly (P<0.05) higher maturation rate was recorded in the absence of corpus luteum on the ovary. In conclusion, it was determined that season and luteal tissue at the time of collection influences the recovery, quality and meiotic maturation of Egyptian buffalo oocytes and their liability for use in IVF programs.
LIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS IN ACTIVE AND AESTIVATED HERMAPHRODITE PULMONATE GASTROPOD ACHATINA FULICA (BOWDICH)

Some pulmonate gastropods undergo aestivation for a long period. A hermaphrodite pulmonate gastropod, Achatina fulica, was selected for the study of some of the lipid components in active state and during aestivation of the snail. Thin layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography were employed in the present study. Total lipid, phospholipid, cholesterol and triacylglycerol and the fatty acids of total lipid were studied in the digestive gland, ovotestis, mantle and foot of act ive and 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days aestivated male and female A. fulica. The size of the albumen gland was the criteria of the identification of the sex and was confirmed through the present study. Percent lipid components in all the four organs exhibit clear male/female biasness. The digestive gland is the major lipid storage site over the other three organs and also plays important role in transportation of lipid to other organs during aestivation and maintains higher fatty acid percent than other organs. The other organs (albumen gland, mantle and foot) studied in this snail maintain a more or less steady lipid pool during aestivation. The fatty acid data also clearly indicate male/female dimorphism, and also emphasizes monoene to polyene conversion in this hermaphrodite gastropod.
Identification and Genetic diversity of Anaerobic Gut Fungi in Buffalo using Molecular Methodologies based on Ribosomal ITS1 rRNA

Anaerobic fungi are the significant constituent of rumen microbiota in livestock that rely on poor-quality fibrous diets. Differentiation between isolates of these fungi is difficult using conventional techniques. In this study, DNA-based methodologies were used to study to determine the population of Anaeromyces anaerobic rumen fungi in buffalo indigesta and rumen fluid. The foundation of the molecular ecology techniques is ITS1 rDNA sequence analysis which has provided a phylogenetically based classification scheme for enumeration and identification of microbial community members. After the sampling of the rumen contents and the anaerobic fungi cultivation, the genomic DNA was extracted from 13 fungal samples. The PRC cultivation of ITS1 region from the rRNA genes took place with the use of Good92R and Good92F primers of the Anaeromyces anaerobic fungi. The phylogenetic tree was drawn using the Neighbor-joining method and the MEGA software. The results show that the ITS1 sequence is less conserved in one genera and it can have a little differences in a genera or b etween the genera. Therefore, the application of molecular approaches, especially those focused on ITS1 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence diversity, is able to differentiate between gut fungal genera.
The Skull of Ichthyosaurus, Studied in Serial Sections

Over two centuries have elapsed since the remains of this strange Mesozoic analogue of the Dolphin first began to attract attention and at least a century since they became the subject of serious scientific investigation, yet many points in the anatomy of the fossil still remain obscure, especially in the region of the head; and it was to elucidate these, that the present study, based on serial sections, was undertaken. A remarkably well-preserved skull in our University Collection provided excellent material (text-fig. 1). It bore the label Ichthyosaurus communis (but does not, I think, belong to that species) and was obtained from the Lower Lias of Lyme Regis. At some time or other it had been broken by clean fractures into four pieces, which had afterwards been cleverly cemented together so as to form an almost complete skull, the only parts missing being the supratemporal and articular bones, and two fragments of each of the lower jaws.
Use of the ecological information system SynBioSys for the analysis of large datasets

Abstract The rapid developments in computer techniques and the availability of large datasets open new perspectives for vegetation analysis aiming at better understanding of the ecology and functioning of ecosystems and underlying mechanisms. Information systems prove to be helpful tools in this new field. Such information systems may integrate different biological levels, viz. species, community and landscape. They incorporate a GIS platform for the visualization of the various layers of information, enabling the analysis of patterns and processes which relate the individual levels. An example of a newly developed information system is SynBioSys Europe, an initiative of the European Vegetation Survey (EVS). For the individual levels of the system, specific sources are available, notably national and regional Turboveg databases for the community level and data from the recently published European Map of Natural Vegetation for the landscape level. The structure of the system and its underlying databases allow user-defined queries. With regard to its application, such information systems may play a vital role in European nature planning, such as the implementation the EU-program Natura 2000. To illustrate the scope and perspectives of the program, some examples from The Netherlands are presented. They are dealing with long-term changes in grassland ecosystems, including shifts in distribution, floristic composition, and ecological indicator values.
Genomic Imprinting in Development and Evolution

Chromatin insulators demarcate expression domains by blocking the cis effects of enhancers or silencers in a position-dependent manner1, 2. We show that the chromatin insulator protein CTCF carries a post-translational modification: poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that a poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation mark, which exclusively segregates with the maternal allele of the insulator domain in the H19 imprinting control region, requires the bases that are essential for interaction with CTCF3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation−on−chip analysis documented that the link between CTCF and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation extended to more than 140 mouse CTCF target sites. An insulator trap assay showed that the insulator function of most of these CTCF target sites is sensitive to 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity. We suggest that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation imparts chromatin insulator properties to CTCF at both imprinted and nonimprinted loci, which has implications for the regulation of expression domains and their demise in pathological lesions.
Inheritance of fiber quality characters in upland cotton genotypes having non-preference traits for insect pests

To study the nature and magnitude of gene effects for fiber fineness, fiber maturity percentage and lint index in upland cotton genotypes having non-preference traits for insect pests, an 8 by 8 diallel cross was evaluated in F 1 and F 2 generations. The results indicated both additive and dominance components of genetic variability in the material. The dominance ratio (H 1 /D) 0.5 exceeded 1.0 which would arise when dominance was complete and offered a quantification of the level of “over-dominance”, this was for fiber fineness (F 2 ) and fiber maturity percentage (F 2 ). The values of H 1 and H 2 for all of these characters were higher than those of D and significant and positive, which indicated the predominance of non-additive genetic variance to control most of the characters under study. The H 2 component was smaller than the H 1 , indicating the unequal proportion of positive (U) and negative (V) alleles in the loci governing the characters. The asymmetrical distribution of genes in the parents were further evidenced by the value of H 2 /4 H 1 , which was below the maximum value of 0.25 in all of the cases which arises when U=V=0.5 over all loci. The positive F value also indicated gene asymmetry, i.e. there were more dominant than recessive alleles in the parents for these characters. This was further confirmed by the relative proportion of dominant and recessive alleles, which was more than one for all of these traits, proving that dominant alleles were in excess as compared to recessive alleles. Net dominance effect obtained by (h 2 ) estimate expressed as algebraic sum over all loci in heterozygous condition in all the crosses was non-significant for all the five characters, and suggested substantial contribution of dominance was not due to heterogeneity of loci in these parameters. The non-significance of environmental component of variation (E 2 ) indicated its insignificant role in the phenotypic expression of these traits. Recurrent selection is suggested for the improvement of these traits.
Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on maize in greenhouse and field trial

L. ) is an important crop in temperate and semi-arid regions and one of the three major food staple crops for the world’s population. In Serbia, maize is grown on about 1 200 000 ha of soils per year and results of yield testing on numerous locations show its high genetic potential (Jockovic et al., 2010). Beside the genetic potential, achieving higher yields also require appropriate application of agro-technical measures, espe-cially fertilization. After nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) is the most limiting nutrient for crop yields, and is essential for maize growth and development (Wu et al., 2005). In order to increase the natural fertility of soils and develop new approaches to reduce the need for chemical ferti-lizers and pesticides the rhizosphere microorganisms *Corresponding author. E-mail: mirjana@polj.uns. ac.rs. Tel/Fax: +381 21 4853 426. especially some rhizobacteria called plant growth promo-ting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are recognized as an important factor in sustainable agricultural production (Mrkovacki and Bjelic, 2011). PGPR may be important for plant nutrition by increa-sing N and P uptake by plants, and playing a significant role in the biofertilization of crops (Cakmakci et al., 2005). Maize stimulates different N
Systematics of the olive thrush Turdus olivaceus species complex with reference to the taxonomic status of the endangered Taita thrush T. helleri

During the last 40 years, few species of African birds have undergone more taxonomic revision than the olive thrush Turdus olivaceus. This is due to disagreement on how to partition the striking phenotypic variation among allopatric populations. The current consensus is to recognise one species T. olivaceus, split into three assemblages: (1) the olivaceus group restricted to southern Africa, (2) the swynnertoni group of the Zimbabwean and southern Malawi highlands, and (3) the abyssinicus group of the montane highlands of eastern and central Africa. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from 63 individuals were analysed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among 16 taxa (species and subspecies) in the olivaceus species complex (plus seven outgroup species), with, particular emphasis on the relationships and taxonomic status of the endangered Taita thrush (helleri). Phylogenetic hypotheses generated using parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference identified a number of discrete clades corresponding to recognised subspecies. Northern (abyssinicus clade) and southern populations (olivaceus+swynnertoni clade) of olive thrush differ by 9–10% in sequence divergence. Furthermore, all analytical methods suggested that helleri (Taita Hills) and roehli (Usambara and Pare Mountains) are reciprocally monophyletic with respect to mtDNA, and 2.5 to 10.5% divergent from all other forms of olive thrush. Both helleri and roehli are surrounded in adjacent highlands by populations of olive thrush that represent a more recent radiation, suggesting that helleri and roehli may be relict taxa which have been able to maintain their genetic integrity. The results of this study support previous arguments for recognizing the arid/woodland T. smithi as a species distinct from other southern African forest populations of T. olivaceus (including the swynnertoni group). Results further suggest that T. abyssinicus, T. helleri, and T. roehli be accorded species rank.
A Comparative Study of Oxidant- Antioxidant Status in Blood and Tissue in Vitiligo Patients

Background: The etiology of vitiligo is still unknown. So there are many hypotheses to explain its pathogenesis like genetic, autoimmune, neural, biochemical, auto-cytotoxic and oxidative stress theories. Oxidative stress is a disorder in pro and anti-oxidants balance in which pro-oxidants predominate; also it is a factor that initiates pathogenesis of melanocytes’ degeneration. Objective: The aim of the present work was to study the impact of some oxidative stress markers in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Patients: The study was carried out on 20 vitiligo patients and 10 controls with matched age and sex. Methods: Estimation of some markers of oxidative stress as nitric oxide (NO), Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) in the blood and tissue of vitiliginous patients compared to controls. Results: the level of oxidative stress was more obvious in the vitiliginous lesion than that of the systemic circulation. Conclusions: From the results of this study, we can depend on measurement of oxidative stress in the affected skin rather than the plasma.
Descriptions of Two New Species of Pristosia (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from South Korea

Abstract Two new carabid beetle species, Pristosia impunctata and P. latistoma (Coleoptera: Carabidae), are described from South Korea. The phylogenetic relationships among five Korean and Japanese Pristosia species are reconstructed based on a cladistic analysis of 29 morphological characters.
Weed seedbank dynamics in post conservation reserve program land

Abstract The influence of tillage, crop rotation, and weed management regimes on the weed seedbank in land previously under the conservation reserve program (CRP) for 8 yr was determined from 1994 through 1997. The study was a split-plot design with four replications, two tillage systems, two crop rotations, and three weed management treatments. Eleven weed species were recorded in 1994 and 1995, and 13 in 1996 and 1997. The weed seedbank was dominated by broadleaf species. In 1994, the first year after CRP, the seed population density in the top 15 cm of the soil profile was 51,480 seeds m−2, of which 60 and 20% were pigweed and common lambsquarters. The population density of pigweed seeds in the seedbank increased over time and reached 51,670 seeds m−2 in 1996. In contrast, the seed population density for foxtail species was only 417 seeds m−2 in 1994, but it increased to 7,820 seeds m−2 in 1997. The large increase in foxtail species seed population density in the 4-yr period was mainly in the no-herbicide weed management treatment. The weed seedbank was reduced similarly by band and broadcast herbicide treatments. Tillage and crop rotation did not influence the weed seedbank or Shannon's diversity index, nor did they interact with the weed management treatments in any of the years. The weed seedbank population density varied with the years and time of soil sampling. Weed seed population densities tended to be greater in the fall but declined significantly by time of the spring sampling. The no-herbicide treatment had a more diverse weed seedbank compared with band and broadcast herbicide weed management treatments. An average of one grass and three broadleaf weed species were identified in the three weed management treatments. Band and broadcast herbicide treatments reduced the weed seedbank population density but did not affect the number of broadleaf weed species observed. Nomenclature: Common lambsquarters; Chenopodium album L. CHEAL; foxtail species; Setaria spp. ; pigweed species; Amaranthus spp.
Status of Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii (Chiroptera) and range expansion in Central and south‐eastern Europe: a review

Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii is a Mediterranean faunal element among the bats; it occurs in southern Europe, the Canary Islands, north-western Africa, most of the Mediterranean islands, in the northern part of the Middle East, in the Crimea, Caucasus, West Turkestan, and northern Afghanistan. The northern margin of its geographical range in Europe reaches the Pyrenees, Massif Central, southern Alps, Dalmatia, Balkan Mountains and southern Crimea, like that of other similar biogeographical elements. Since the 1990s, Hypsugo savii started to be found in inland areas of south-eastern Europe and in Central Europe as far northwards as in central Bohemia and southern Poland. These numerous new occurrences seem to be either 1) connected to environmental changes caused by the current climate change; 2) evidence of an intrinsic expansion process powered by the species' synanthropic tendency, including passive human-mediated transport; or 3) a reflection of the increase in field survey efforts. Distributional data on Hypsugo savii from central and south-eastern parts of Europe were gathered and evaluated. We provide a detailed review of all records available by the end of 2013. The assessment of temporal distribution of the data clearly shows an ongoing and relatively fast expansion of Hypsugo savii from southern to Central Europe, which represents a shift of almost 800 km northwards in the last 20–25 years. Most of the records (65%) originate from urban habitats. This suggests that the synanthropic habits of the species are the most plausible explanation for the northwards shift of the range limits of Hypsugo savii.
Further revision of the caddisfly family Uenoidae (Trichoptera): evidence for inclusion of Neophylacinae and Thremmatidae

Abstract. A survey of characters within the Limnephilidae was made to test the cladistic hypothesis underlying traditional classification placing Neophylacinae as a subfamily of the Limnephilidae. Characters emerged which support an alternative hypothesis of phylogeny and classification, linking the Neophylacinae with the Thremmatidae and with the Uenoidae. The Uenoidae as defined here contain two monophyletic groups: subfamily Uenoinae containing the four genera Uenoa, Sericostriata, Neothremma and Farula previously constituting Uenoidae (sensu Wiggins et al., 1985), and subfamily Thremmatinae consisting of Thremma, Neophylax and Oligophlebodes. The new classification is shown to have predictive value for behaviour and ecology of the taxa.