Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of intercropping maize ( Zea mays L.) and Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L.) on yield and soil chemical properties

Farmers in Sistan region experience low crop yields of crops due to low soil fertility. Sole crops and intercrops of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were studied at eight planting ratios of maize: cowpea (100:100, 50:100, 100:50, 25:75, 75:25, 50:50, 0:100 and 100:0) and two harvest times (milky stage and doughy stage). This experiment was carried during two years (2007 and 2008) on Research Center, University of Zabol, Iran, to investigate the influence of cowpea on the soil fertility and sole maize (SM) as control. Measurements of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium soil and crop yield were carried out to study the effects of intercropping on crop yield in a cowpea-maize intercropping system in Sistan at southeast of Iran. We found that intercropping increased the amount nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) contents compared to sole crop of maize. The highest amount of N, P, K in soil was obtained at sole cowpea and 100% cowpea + 100% maize with no significant difference to 100% cowpea + 50% maize. The lowest amount of N, P, and K was obtained at sole maize and 75% maize + 25% cowpea. Intercropping system had significant effects on soil fertility and crop yield. LER (land equivalent ratio) values were greater in all intercropping systems with different planting ratios which indicated yield advantage of intercropping over sole cropping of maize. Results indicate that intercropping can increase nutrient elements of soil compared to sole maize and improve conservation of soil fertility. Based on high grain and improve soil fertility intercrop productivity compared to sole crop could be selected for improving the productivity of maize/cowpea mixture in the Southeast of Iran. Key words: Intercropping system, maize - cowpea, soil fertility, land equivalent ratio.
Signalling pathways in pollen tube growth and reorientation.

Plant fertilization is an essential process for seed production. One of the most interesting and important aspects is pollen tube growth from the stigma to the ovary. Understanding of the guidance mechanisms involved has been much debated, and important insights into the biochemical and physiological aspects of these events have been reported recently. Yet, the specific morphogenetic mechanisms which provide the pollen tube with these attributes remain very much unknown. In experimental terms, a substantial amount of research has dealt with the identification of cellular messengers, their capacity to generate a signal and how the information is coded in that signal. The role of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]c) has received a great deal of attention but research is extending rapidly to other areas.
The oncogenic properties of mutant p110α and p110β phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases in human mammary epithelial cells

The PIK3CA gene encoding the p110α subunit of Class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) is frequently mutated in human tumors. Mutations in the PIK3CB gene encoding p110β, the only other widely expressed Class IA PI3K, have not been reported. We compared the biochemical activity and transforming potential of mutant forms of p110α and p110β in a human mammary epithelial cell system. The two most common tumor-derived alleles of p110α, H1047R and E545K, potently activated PI3K signaling. Human mammary epithelial cells expressing these alleles grew efficiently in soft agar and as orthotopic tumors in nude mice. We also examined a third class of mutations in p110α, those in the p85-binding domain. A representative tumor-derived p85-binding-domain mutant R38H showed modestly reduced p85 binding and weakly activated PI3K/Akt signaling. In contrast, a deletion mutant lacking the entire p85-binding domain efficiently activated PI3K signaling. When we constructed in p110β a mutation homologous to the E545K allele of p110α, the resulting p110β mutant was only weakly activated and allowed minimal soft-agar growth. However, a gene fusion of p110β with the membrane anchor from c-Src was highly active and transforming in both soft-agar and orthotopic nude mouse assays. Thus, although introduction of activating mutations from p110α at the corresponding sites in p110β failed to render the enzyme oncogenic in human cells, the possibility remains that other mutations might activate the β isoform.
New environmental metabarcodes for analysing soil DNA: potential for studying past and present ecosystems

Metabarcoding approaches use total and typically degraded DNA from environmental samples to analyse biotic assemblages and can potentially be carried out for any kinds of organisms in an ecosystem. These analyses rely on specific markers, here called metabarcodes, which should be optimized for taxonomic resolution, minimal bias in amplification of the target organism group and short sequence length. Using bioinformatic tools, we developed metabarcodes for several groups of organisms: fungi, bryophytes, enchytraeids, beetles and birds. The ability of these metabarcodes to amplify the target groups was systematically evaluated by (i) in silico PCRs using all standard sequences in the EMBL public database as templates, (ii) in vitro PCRs of DNA extracts from surface soil samples from a site in Varanger, northern Norway and (iii) in vitro PCRs of DNA extracts from permanently frozen sediment samples of latePleistocene age (16 000–50 000 years BP) from two Siberian sites, Duvanny Yar and Main River. Comparison of the results from the in silico PCR with those obtained in vitro showed that the in silico approach offered a reliable estimate of the suitability of a marker. All target groups were detected in the environmental DNA, but we found large variation in the level of detection among the groups and between modern and ancient samples. Success rates for the Pleistocene samples were highest for fungal DNA, whereas bryophyte, beetle and bird sequences could also be retrieved, but to a much lesser degree. The metabarcoding approach has considerable potential for biodiversity screening of modern samples and also as a palaeoecological tool.
Respostas de dipteros endofagos de capitulos de Praxelis Clematidea(Grisebach)King & Robinson(Eupatorieae-Asteraceae) a concentração de recurso e ao isolamento entre plantas

Neste estudo foi investigada a influencia do isolamento entre individuos e tamanho de moita de plantas hospedeiras, na colonizacao por dipteros endofagos de capitulos de Praxelis clematidea (Asteraceae). O efeito do isolamento foi avaliado atraves da relacao entre a distância entre plantas co-especificas mais proximas em moitas naturais e o, tamanho de moita por um experimento com tres replicatas de moitas de 1, 4, 8, 16 e 32 plantas e avaliacao da colonizacao dos capitulos. Os principais grupos de dipteros endofagos encontrados foram Melanaqromyza (Agromyzidae) e Tephritidae (Trupanea e Xanthaciura biocellata). Melanaqromyza ocorreu em maior abundância relativa nas plantas coletadas em moitas naturais e os tefritideos em moitas experimentais. As diferencas de habitat preferencial dos adultos, principalmente no grau de insolacao, parecem determinar esta diferenca nas abundâncias relativas. Melanaqromyza utilizou com igual intensidade plantas agrupadas e isoladas; no experimento, teve a abundância total independente do tamanho de moita porem menores densidade por planta e por capitulos em moitas maiores. Tefritideos tiveram maior abundância em plantas isoladas e nas moitas experimentais estas abundâncias cresceram com o tamanho da moita. As densidades por planta e por capitulos foram independentes do tamanho da moita. Os tefritideos devem ser menos eficientes em localizar individuos de P. clematidea com maior tempo de procura de hospedeiras gerando os padroes encontrados por respostas dependentes do tempo e risco maior de predacao duiante a procura. Melanaqromyza pode estar sofrendo um efeito de saturacao devido a baixa populacao de adultos ou assincronia entre os adultos e a presenca de inflorescencia ideais para oviposicao Abstract
Postcranial Osteology of Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis (?Middle to Upper Triassic, Isalo Group, Madagascar) and its Systematic Position Among Stem Archosaur Reptiles

ABSTRACT During the Triassic, archosauromorphs became one of the first groups of diapsid reptiles to diversify in terms of body size and morphological disparity in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems across Pangaea. This seemingly rapid divergence, and the numerous unique body plans stemming from it, concomitantly has confounded reconstructions of archosauromorph relationships. Teasing apart homology from homoplasy of anatomical characters in this broad suite of body types remains an enormous challenge with the current sample of taxa. Here, we present the postcranial anatomy of Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis, an early archosauromorph from ? Middle to Upper Triassic strata of Madagascar. Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis is known from nearly the entire skeleton in an ontogenetically variable sample. The holotype locality consists of a monotypic bone bed; preservation ranges from complete but disarticulated bones to articulated sections of the skeleton. Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis embodies an aberrant constellation of archosauromorph features, including an elongated neck, a short, stocky tail, robust limbs, and unexpectedly short digits terminating in large recurved unguals on the manus and pes. Together with the cranium, the postcrania reveal A. madagaskarensis to be another representative of a growing coterie of highly apomorphic and bizarre Triassic archosauromorphs. At the same time, recovery and description of the full anatomy of A. madagaskarensis helps to identify a monophyletic grouping of specialized taxa that includes the North American Late Triassic–aged archosauromorphs Trilophosaurus, Spinosuchus, and Teraterpeton, Indian Pamelaria, and Moroccan Azendohsaurus laaroussii. Moreover, information derived from the skeleton of A. madagaskarensis solidifies the systematic position of these taxa among other archosauromorphs. Using the most comprehensively sampled phylogenetic analysis of early archosauromorphs, we found the clade encompassing the aforementioned taxa as the nearest outgroup of Prolacerta broomi + Archosauriformes. The newly recognized clade containing Azendohsaurus, Trilophosaurus, Spinosuchus, Pamelaria, and Teraterpeton demonstrates high morphological disparity even within a closely related group of archosauromorphs, underscores the polyphyly of protorosaurs ( = prolacertiforms), and suggests that most major divergences within this group occurred in the Triassic. Furthermore, our results indicate that craniodental character states ascribed to a herbivorous diet were much more pervasive across Triassic Archosauromorpha than previously conjectured.
Fish gelatin and its applications in selected pharmaceutical aspects as alternative source to pork gelatin

The demand for gelatin for food and pharmaceutical application is increasing because it is one of the most widely used food ingredients. Its applications in food manufacturing are very wide-ranging including enhancing the elasticity, firmness and consistency of food products. Most commercial gelatin is presently sourced from beef bone, hide and pigskin and bones. It was reported that about 41% of the gelatin produced worldwide is basically from pigskin. Fish gelatin represents one of the important types of gelatins from other sources rather than mammalian gelatins and it may thus be considered as an alternative to mammalian gelatin for use in various food and pharmaceutical applications. In the last decades, the rising interest in halal products issues for Muslim populations become one of the main reasons for exploring different types of collagen and gelatin from different animal sources. This review summarizes gelatin in four areas: (1) pig gelatin and halal issue, (3) selected methods used in fish gelatin extraction, (3) selected functional properties of fish gelatin and (4) selected pharmaceutical and medical application of fish gelatin.
Dimethyl sulfoniopropionate and dimethyl sulfide production in response to photoinhibition in Emiliania huxleyi

The response in intracellular dimethyl sulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dissolved DMSP and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) concentrations when Emiliania huxleyi was exposed to acute (1‐h) increases in photon flux densities of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation was examined in cells acclimated to low light (LL, 30 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and high light (HL, 300 vmol photons m−2 s−1). LL‐acclimated cells displayed greater photoinhibition, assessed as a decrease in maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv : Fm). Photoinhibition was increased by exposure to UV wavelengths. LL‐acclimated cells also exhibited more light dissipation through the xanthophyll cycle, evident as changes in de‐epoxidation state. Greater photoinhibition in LL‐acclimated cells corresponded with increased accumulation of DMSP of 21% ± 4% relative to initial concentrations, contrasting with a slight decrease of 5% ± 6% in HL‐acclimated cells. Exposure to UV appeared to decrease the rates of intracellular accumulation of DMSP. Conversely, PAR + UV exposure stimulated the net production of dissolved DMSP and DMS in both HL‐acclimated and LL‐acclimated cultures, compared with high PAR alone. The results indicate a direct link between acute photo‐oxidative stress and DMSP synthesis by E. huxleyi. The physiological basis for increased release of DMSP and DMS from cells due to high PAR + UV exposure is unclear. However, the timescales of changes in intracellular DMSP, dissolved DMSP, and DMS are consistent with variations in light intensity experienced by phytoplankton in a turbulent mixed layer and are similar to rates of change in photosynthetic parameters associated with photoacclimation.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS EXTRACT OF FRUITS OF Withania coagulance

In the present investigations, attempts were made to study detail phytochemical parameters and pharmacological activities, particularly antinflammatory, antihyperlipidemic activity of fruits of Withania coagulance dunal belonging to family Solanaceae. The hydroalcholic extract of Withania coagulance showed significant inhibition of rat paw volume i.e. 80 % at 1 hr and 90.73 % 3 h whereas constituent No. 1 showed significant inhibition of rat paw volume i.e. 84.6 % at 1 hr. and 92.65 % 3 hr. The hydroalcholic extract of Withania coagulance showed significant decrease in total cholesterol i.e. 88.87 % at 24 hr. and 91.05 % 48 hr wheras hydroalcholic extract of Withania coagulance showed significant decrease in total triglycerides i.e. 96.93 % at 24 hr. and 91.55 % 48 hr. when compared to standard. The decrease in triglycerides value by other extracts was not significant when compared to standard.
EFFECT OF EXTRUSION ON IN SITU RUMINAL PROTEIN DEGRADABILITY AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY OF UNDEGRADED PROTEIN FROM DIFFERENT FEEDSTUFFS

BACKGROUND: The effect of extruding maize, barley, whole soybean (WSB), peas, lupins and soybean meal (SBM) on their in situ ruminal protein degradability and in vitro digestibility of the rumen undegraded protein (RUP) was studied. Two mixtures containing 0.75 WSB or lupins and 0.25 maize were also formulated. RESULTS: Extrusion of maize resulted in an increase of its effective protein degradability from 0.538 to 0.734 (P < 0.001), whereas the opposite occurred with barley (from 0.854 to 0.797; P < 0.001). Extrusion increased the in vitro digestibility of the RUP of both cereals, increasing therefore the amount of barley crude protein (CP) digested in the intestines (PDI) from 62 to 176 g kg−1 CP (P < 0.01), whereas maize resulted in lower (332 versus 229 g kg−1 CP; P < 0.01). Extrusion decreased (P < 0.001) the protein degradability of the three legume seeds and increased (P < 0.001) the in vitro digestibility of the RUP, resulting in a PDI increase (P < 0.001), from 60 to 367 g kg−1 CP for peas, from 69 to 265 g kg−1 CP for WSB and from 107 to 205 g kg−1 CP for lupins. This effect was enhanced when WSB was extruded jointly with maize. The extrusion of SBM also resulted in an increase in the PDI from 296 to 384 g kg−1 CP (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Extrusion decreases the rumen protein degradability of legume seeds, soybean meal and barley, and increases the digestibility of the RUP, resulting in an increase in the feed protein digested in intestine. The extrusion of soybean seeds together with maize enhances these effects. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Emerging trends in the application of malolactic fermentation

Deacidification of wines by malolactic fermentation (MLF) is an essential step in the production of most red, many white and some sparkling base wines. While this secondary fermentation can occur spontaneously, the majority of winemakers, particularly in new world winemaking regions, prefer to minimise the risk of a failed or sluggish MLF by inoculating with a reliable, commercially available starter culture. This review focuses on the scientific literature underpinning growing trends in the application of MLF starters. It considers the literature on co-inoculation regimes, where MLF bacteria are inoculated into a ferment prior to completion of alcoholic fermentation and what benefits this might bring relative to sequential inoculation, when bacteria are added after completion of primary fermentation. It also considers the benefits of the growing trend of using bacteria other than the traditional Oenococcus oeni for induction of MLF, and of developing starter cultures from regional isolates of MLF bacteria to enhance regional identity of wines.
Geographic patterns in functional diversity deficits are linked to glacial-interglacial climate stability and accessibility

Aim Late Quaternary climate change can be an important determinant of largescale species richness patterns, but it is currently unknown if its effects also extend to functional diversity (FD) and thus potentially ecosystem functioning.This study assessed whether deficits in contemporary FD, relative to expectations based on contemporary environmental regions and species richness, were associated with glacial-interglacial climate stability and accessibility from glacial refugia.
EFFECTS OF DIETARY ELECTROLYTE BALANCE ON THE PERFORMANCE TRAITS IN BROILERS

Dietary fixed cations (Na+ and K+) and the fixed anion, Cl-, are considered essential electrolytes for the acid-base balance of poultry. They are responsible for the maintenance of ideal homeostasis in order to achieve maximum chicken performance. The objective of this study was to compare three different Na+K-Cl balance levels. Today salt supplementation to reduce economic losses by heat stress is a common practice in Brazilian poultry management conditions, although the literature shows some controversy about this subject. This research compared broilers performance on the Summer from the beginning until 45 days of age with usual diets, where the acid-base balance was calculated, trying to identify the best electrolyte balance. The data were analyzed using a DCC, with 8 repetitions of 100 broilers, and three treatments considered high, medium, and low electrolyte balance levels, which were calculated by the MONGIN (1981) equation. It was determined by the analysis of variance that weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, viability, and Productive Efficiency Index (PEI) were unaffected by the electrolyte balance, although the low electrolyte balance level had shown the lowest PEI. In this study, dietary manipulation of electrolyte balance did not improve performance traits of broilers housed in high temperatures, but it is recommended further studies with different procedures, in order to investigate the efficiency of this management practice and its effect on the reduction of heat stress in broilers.
Economic value of biological attributes of artificial coral reefs

Visitor appreciation of natural scenes such as coral reefs is well documented. However, what part the value of the biological component in these scenes plays in fostering people’s enjoyment is unclear. Using the contingent valuation method (CVM), we examined divers’ willingness to pay for changes in the fish and coral attributes over an artificial reef. Using image manipulations, different levels of community descriptors, such as richness, abundance, and biodiversity of corals and fish, were isolated, and the willingness to pay for proposed factors was examined. The results showed that divers were willing to contribute towards all increases in reef community attributes, and were partially able to discriminate between them. Biodiversity was the most valued index, while fish abundance was the least favoured. These results, which demonstrate that visitors understand the fundamentals that constitute a coral reef community and value its diversity, may help direct conservation efforts undertaken in the design of marine reserves and pre-planned artificial reefs.
Análisis de fuentes y toxicidad equivalente de sedimentos contaminados con PAHs en el estuario de Bahía Blanca, Argentina

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of PAHs in coastal sediments of Bahia Blanca, Argentina and provides useful information of their levels of concentration, sources, ecotoxicological assessment and carcinogenic PAHs profile of local emissions. Sediments were analyzed following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, USA) protocols by means of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, showing total concentrations of PAHs in a range from 103 to more than 2,000 ng.g-1 (mean: 527 ± 114 ng.g-1; median: 507 ng.g-1). A dynamic state of PAHs pollution was demonstrated for the area which was defined by widespread low to moderate levels, but including punctual zones with high pollution processes. Molecular ratios calculations determined a generalized overimposition of pyrolitic PAHs over the petrogenic input. The pyrolitic pattern moved to a biomass burning origin during summer, the period of highest recorded fires. In addition, the ecotoxicological guidelines approach for PAHs chemical concentrations in sediment defined a rare occurrence of biological effects for the majority of sampled sites; however, frequent effects were expected for punctual locations. Further, Total Benzo-a-pyrene equivalents from several sampling stations were found to be above international regulations. Finally, the PAHs carcinogenic dose was calculated using the BaP equivalent factors approach and compared with other worldwide coastal studies by means of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis.
A clustering analysis method for exploring microorganism conversion of biomass energy

Biomass energy, a form of clean energy, has the advantage of being environment friendly. It can produce combustible gas through biological conversion, which relies on the selection of microorganisms. Archaea can survive under extreme environments and release energy through genetic metabolism. These characteristics of Archaea can make them ideal for biological conversion; however, only some types of Archaea are actually effective in terms of biological conversion. At the same time, one‐by‐one screening of different Archaea types would be time‐consuming and costly. The objective of the present research was to propose a method and system for rapid screening, and the cluster analysis method is recommended as a selection tool. In light of the gradual sequencing of Archaea DNA, this research used the Codon Usage Number for DNA sequencing to reduce the complexity of the data analysis and increase computing speed. Finally, the cluster results show that the research method possesses the advantages of clear clustering and easy identification, in addition to achieving speed and clarity in computing process. It can thus be used in conjunction with the Bacteria Battery concept to develop new sources of energy. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 636–648, 2014