Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Induced Molting with Low-Protein and Energy Diet on the Postmolt Performance and Egg Quality of Layers

This work was carried out to investigate the effect of the induced molting with low-protein and energy diet on the postmolt performance of layers. Eighty White Leghorn layers (61-old-wk) with over 80% egg production were used for 12 weeks in this work. Treatments were non-molt control (CO), fasting treatment for 10 days (FW), molt treatment with low-protein and low-energy molting diet for 3 weeks (LO), and molt treatment with standard molting diet for 3 weeks (ST) as 4 treatments (2 replications/treatment and 10 birds/replication). Body weight (BW) loss was 26.5% of initial BW at 2 week in FW treatment, and was 17.3% and 14.2% in both LO and ST treatments (P<0.05). Layers in molting treatments were fed with commercial layer diet after completion of molting since BW of layers was recovered for 7 weeks. Heart weight ratio was shown as 0.47, 0.43, 0.46 and 0.46% at CO, FW, LO and ST treatments, respectively, and liver weight ration of body weight was shown as 2.56, 1.30, 1.47 and 1.52%, respectively. Thus, those of molting treatments decreased compared to non-molt control (P<0.05). Oviduct weight ratio were shown as 3.95, 1.17, 1.54 and 1.67%, respectively, and similar with the results of liver (P<0.05). Feed intake decreased at LO and ST treatments during molting period and increased from the 5th week compared to control. Egg production decreased at 1 week in molt treatment and stopped at 2 week in FW, 3 week in LO, and 4 week in ST treatments. The birds started to lay egg at 4 week in FW and at 5 week in LO and ST treatments. Egg production was recovered until 50% at 6 week in FW and was recovered as 66.1 and 71.6% at 8 week in LO and ST treatment, respectively. Egg weights were similar among all treatments. Eggshell thicknesses were 0.41, 0.47, 0.46 and 0.46 mm at CO, FW, LO and ST treatment, respectively, but the higher in molt treatments than control (P<0.05). Eggshell breaking strength was 3.83 and 3.81 kg/cm 2 in FW and LO treatment, respectively, and
Voyage of RepA protein from plasmid DNA replication through amyloid aggregation towards synthetic biology

Summary DNA replication of plasmids in Gram-negative bacteria has been an object of study at CIB-CSIC for nearly 30 years. We have been focused on the enterobacterial antibiotic resistance factor R1 (1981–1992) and the pPS10 replicon from the phytopathogen Pseudomonas savastanoi (since 1984). Our group has used multidisciplinary (genetic, biochemical and biophysical-structural) approaches to unravel the molecular mechanism for the activation of RepA. Rep-type plasmidic proteins are either transcriptional repressors or replication initiators/inhibitors, depending on their association state (dimers vs. monomers) and targeting of alternative (operator or iteron) DNA sites. We discovered that allosteric DNA-binding remodels the structure of RepA N-terminal domain (WH1), transforming α-helical portions into β-strands. This precisely tunes the distances between the DNA reading heads in WH1 and the C-terminal domain (WH2), to match the target operator or iteron sequences. We have recently moved into engineering such structural transformation in RepA-WH1 to build-up synthetic protein devices that allow for customized ligand (DNA)-promoted amyloidogenesis. Our basic studies on plasmid DNA replication are relevant for settling the bases of a minimalist bacterial model to tackle transmissible amyloid proteinopathies and are a valuable tool for bottom-up synthetic biology.
African Hepatics XXIX. Some new or little-known species and extensions of range

Abstract Calypogeia afrocaernlea E. W. Jones, sp. nov. is described (type, from Kilimanjaro, in BM). Critical notes are provided on Cylindrocolea chevalieri (Steph.) Schuster, Simia S. Arnell, Syzygiella ruwenzorensis Steph. , and Taxilejeunea pulchriflora Pearson. The following are new combinations: Cheilolejeunea surrepens (Mitt.) (basionym Lejeunea surrepens), Stictolejeunea balfourii (Mitt.) (basionym Lejeunea balfouri). Calypogeia fusca (Lehm.) Steph. is recorded from Cameroun and Ruanda; C. longifolia Steph. from Sierra Leone.
Isolation and evaluation of antioxidants from leaves of a tunisian cultivar olive tree

Quantitative and qualitative determinations of phenolic compounds were carried out on Chemlali olive leaves, a by-product of olive tree pruning. The evolution of the amount of the major phenolic compound was monitored from July 2003 to March 2004. Quantitative analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which revealed that oleuropein was always the major compound. Its concentration reached 6.8 g per 100 g of fresh olive leaves, while monomeric phenols were the minor compounds. Beside oleuropein, six flavonoids (luteolin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, luteolin and apigenin) were identified. The identification was based on separation by HPLC equipped with a diode array detector, followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. A relative high amount of purified hydroxytyrosol (2.3 g per 100 g of fresh olive leaves) was obtained in short time by a simple hydrolysis reaction of Olea europaea leaf extract and by purification using a C-18 silica gel column. The antioxidant activities of the extracts and the purified compounds were evaluated by measuring the radical-scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and by using the β-carotene linoleate model assay. Hydroxytyrosol and hydrolysate products have the highest antioxidant activities.
Removal of Viable Airborne Fungi from Indoor Environments by Benzalkonium Chloride-Based Aerosol Disinfectants

ABSTRACT Fungi are ubiquitous in indoor environments, and some taxa can cause clinical symptoms in humans. Thus, from the viewpoint of public health, methods to reduce indoor airborne fungi are needed. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacies of benzalkonium chloride (BAC)–based aerosol disinfectants to remove airborne viable fungi from indoor environments. The laboratory- and field-based experiments were conducted to compare airborne culturable fungal concentrations before and after the disinfectant aerosol applications. The laboratory-based experiments showed the greater efficacies by the BAC-based disinfectant aerosol than by pure-water control aerosol (p <.05, t-test). In the field study using the BAC-based disinfectant aerosols, on average a 58% reduction of total airborne culturable fungal concentrations were observed. Additionally, the significant reduction was found for a group of airborne yeasts or yeast-like organisms (p <.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The BAC-based aerosol disinfectants are effective when used to reduce the numbers of airborne culturable fungi, in particular yeasts or yeast-like organisms, from indoor environments.
Food Aversion Plus Odor Cue Protects Crop From Wild Mammals

Abstract Wild mammals cause foraging damage to crops worldwide and nonlethal methods are required for controlling such damage. Many wildlife management situations demand protection of untreated foods. We tested learned food aversion plus an odor cue as a paradigm for protecting untreated model crop items from European badgers (Meles meles). Following conditioning with a combination of ziram and clove oil, badgers avoided untreated maize cobs in presence of a clove odor cue. A clove oil control did not condition badgers. This work has been an important step before proceeding to full-scale field trials for protecting growing crops on a wider scale.
Dentoalveolar changes occuring with corticotomy assisted slow palatal expnsion

Background: Maxillary expansion in skeletally mature patients with fused mid palatal suture and circum maxillary resistance makes the conventional non-surgical expansion methods insufficient. Aim: To evaluate the dentoalveolar changes occurring with corticotomy assisted SME. Methods: Sixteen patients (4 males and 12 females) requiring maxillary expansion (mean age:19 years; range: 14-24 years) were divided into two groups: Group A: included 10 patients subjected to buccal alveolar corticotomy before SME and Group B: included 6 patients who had only SME.CBCT images were taken at T1(before) and T2 (after). Inter molar (IMW) and Inter premolar widths (IPmW) as well as root angulations (RA) and buccal bone thickness (BBT) at the level of first molars and first premolars were recorded. T-tests (paired, student) determined the significance (P≤0.05) performed to evaluate the effect of treatment within and between each group. Results: Expansion achieved in corticotomy group was 5.900±0.348mm for IMW and 5.000±0.258mm for IPmW, and was significantly higher than SME only group. Root tipping showed no statistical
Regulatory and developmental aspects of ecdysone-regulated gene expression

Summary The IXth Ecdysone Workshop marked a turning point in studies of ecdysone and gene regulation, as there has been significant progress in our understanding both of the regulatio9n and function of ecdysone-inducible genes. A number of reports confirmed the existence of molecules bearing structural similarities to vertebrate hormone receptors and regulatory sequences resembling their response elements. Work in progress shows that certain early ecdysone responsive genes may encode transcription factors that interact so as to control subsequent stage and tissue patterns of hormonal response.
Population Density, Distribution and Consumption Rates of Three Corallivores at Cabo Pulmo Reef, Gulf of California, Mexico

Abstract. The influence of corallivores on coral community structure of eastern Pacific reefs has been considered less important then that of abiotic oceanographic factors. The data that support this assumption, however, are only available for Central American reefs. To assess the role of predation on hermatypic corals in a different regional reef environment, the abundance, spatial distribution and consumption rate of three corallivores: the echinoid Eucidaris thouarsii (Valenciennes), the asteroid Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus) and the teleostean fish Arothron meleagris (Bloch & Schneider), were estimated at Cabo Pulmo reef, Gulf of California, Mexico (23°25′ N, 109°25′ W). Statistically, the abundances of the species did not change in any sections of the reef (mean values: E. thouarsii, 0.17 indiv. · m−2; A. planci, 1.9 indiv. · m−2; A. meleagris, 39 indiv. · ha−1). The average daily individual consumption rates of coral were calculated at 1.83 g CaCO3· m−2 for E. thouarsii, 118.4 cm2 for A. planci, and 16.38 g CaCO3· m−2 for A. meleagris, and were lower than those reported for Central American reefs. Considering the mean estimated carbonate production (7.9 kg CaCO3· m−2· a−1), corallivores eliminate less than 4% of the coral standing stock of Cabo Pulmo reef. The low corallivore population density and consumption rates, together with high local coral cover, indicate that corallivores are not key factors determining scleractinian abundance in this marginal reef.
The representation of umami taste in the human and macaque cortex

To investigate the neural encoding of glutamate (umami) taste in the primate, recordings were made from taste responsive neurons in the cortical taste areas in macaques. Most of the neurons were in the orbitofrontal cortex (secondary) taste area. First, it was shown that there is a representation of the taste of glutamate which is separate from the representation of the other prototypical tastants sweet (glucose), salt (NaCl), bitter (quinine) and sour (HCl). Second, it was shown that single neurons that had their best responses to sodium glutamate also had good responses to glutamic acid. Third, it was shown that the responses of these neurons to the nucleotide umami tastant inosine 5′-monophosphate were more correlated with their responses to monosodium glutamate than to any prototypical tastant. Fourth, concentration-response curves showed that concentrations of monosodium glutamate as low as 0.001 M were just above threshold for some of these neurons. Fifth, some neurons in the orbitofrontal region, which responded to monosodium glutamate and other food tastes, decreased their responses after feeding with monosodium glutamate to behavioural satiety, revealing a mechanism of satiety. In some cases this reduction was sensory-specific. Sixth, it was shown in psychophysical experiments in humans that the flavor of umami is strongest with a combination of corresponding taste and olfactory stimuli (e.g. monosodium glutamate and garlic odor). The hypothesis is proposed that part of the way in which glutamate works as a flavor enhancer is by acting in combination with corresponding food odors. The appropriate associations between the odor and the glutamate taste may be learned at least in part by olfactory to taste association learning in the primate orbitofrontal cortex. Seventh, in neuroimaging experiments with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans, it was shown that in humans umami taste produced by monosodium glutamate or by inosine monophosphate produced activation in a region of the anterior insula which is the putative human primary taste cortex and in a part of the orbitofrontal cortex which is the putative human secondary taste cortex.
Multiple mechanisms for seed dormancy regulation in shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia: Chenopodiaceae)

Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frem.) Wats. ) is a dominant shrub species of western North American deserts. Its one-seeded utricles are enclosed in bracteoles, and its seeds are highly dormant at dispersal. We examined the role of soluble inhibitors, bracteole effects, after-ripening, and chilling in regulating dormancy for six shadscale populations. Seeds in bracteole-enclosed fruits required chilling to become germinable, and the fraction responsive to chilling was small for recently harvested seeds. This fraction increased during dry storage for 24 weeks, but the rate of increase decreased asymptotically. After-ripening rate was an exponential function of storage temperature over the range 2250°C. After-ripening models based on these nonlinear relationships for each of four seed populations accounted for 96% of the change in the chilling-responsive fraction during 3 years of laboratory storage. Rate of change in the chilling-responsive fraction during laboratory storage was log-linearly re.
Affective Filter in Second Language Learning in South Korea

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), South Korea has ranked at the top among nations for spending on education for at least a decade. It is also well known that an important aspect of this so-called “education fever” is the significance of English. However, a growing body of research indicates that despite such a robust input of money, as well as of time, South Korean students nonetheless enjoy only lackluster to mediocre levels of English fluency, which are incommensurate with their investments compared to other countries. To students of English, and students in South Korea, this situation should be disturbing and concerning. The researchers of this paper decided that if some reasons could be identified as to why levels of fluency are lower than desired, then perhaps suggestions could be made to improve the situation. Based on the researchers experience, a hypothesis was created to test: The second language education environment prior to university in South Korea is not oriented toward fluency creation, but instead reinforces hierarchical and teacher-centered methods to teach a second language. Ultimately, this results in lowering student motivation and confidence while increasing anxiety about learning English. This was discovered to be called an increase in "affective filter". To test this hypothesis, qualitative and quantitative research techniques were used. In addition to researching how students learn a second language and what techniques are most effective, a survey analysis was conducted where students were asked to selfreport about their English education learning experiences and feelings. For a comparative case, non-Korean students studying a second language (Korean) in South Korea were also asked to report about their Korean learning experiences and feelings. As we anticipated, a majority of students (out of n=127) self-reported that their English education experiences prior to university consisted primarily of listening to teachers lecture, with little time spent speaking. However, motivation results were unexpectedly mixed. For some this educational experience had a negative impact on motivation, selfconfidence, positive self-image, and anxiety, which according to the literature are prerequisites for second language acquisition: results consistent with our hypothesis. However, about a third experienced no change in motivation and more than a third were motivated by the experience. This is an important and novel finding. As for the non-Korean group, similar results were reported, although they indicated a greater time spent speaking. Both groups pointed to certain extra-curricular activities involving the second language, such as studying abroad, making foreign friends, and developing cultural awareness, as elements that would, or had, improved their motivation and confidence to acquire the second language.
Fibrinolysis and diabetic vascular disease: roles of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and is associated with poorer outcomes after acute coronary syndromes. Patients with Type 2 diabetes have a two- to fourfold higher risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with nondiabetics. Hypercoagulation and impaired fibrinolysis can lead to excessive fibrin accumulation within vessels, and in patients with Type 2 diabetes they can result in the onset of thrombosis. Impaired fibrinolysis may be induced by elevated plasma concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 or thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), both potent inhibitors of fibrinolysis. Elevated plasma PAI-1 is strongly associated with insulin resistance and obesity, while elevated plasma TAFI may be associated with hypercholesterolemia rather than insulin resistance. Therefore, medications that ameliorate impaired fibrinolysis by decreasing PAI-1 and TAFI concentrations may reduce an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This review hig.
Low level of cuticular hydrocarbons in a parasitoid of a solitary digger wasp and its potential for concealment

Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) play a role as semiochemicals in many host–parasite systems and chemical mimicry or camouflage is a well‐known mechanism of parasites to evade detection by the host. The cuckoo wasp Hedychrum rutilans (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) is a parasitoid of larvae of the European beewolf Philanthus triangulum (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae). Females chemically mimic the cuticular hydrocarbons of their hosts to avoid detection and countermeasures when entering the host nest for oviposition. Here we report on a possible second mechanism of the chrysidid wasp H. rutilans to evade detection: the amount of CHC/mm2 of cuticle is only approximately one‐fifth compared to its beewolf host. Furthermore, we show that surprisingly large amounts of CHC of beewolf females can be found on the walls of the underground nest. Potentially, these hydrocarbons might constitute a background odor against which the cuckoo wasps or their chemical traces have to be perceived by the beewolf. The reduction in the amount of CHC of the cuckoo wasps might be equivalent to a dilution of recognition cues, especially against the background odor of the nest walls, and might provide a means to escape detection within the nest due to “chemical insignificance”.
CHANGES IN HAEMATOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF BARKI LAMBS AND THEIR DAMS FED SALT TOLERANT PLANTS SILAGE DURING THE POST-PARTUM PERIOD

To investigate the changes which might occur due to feeding silage of salt tolerant plants in physiological and haematological profile of Barki ewes and their newly born lambs during neonatal period (1st month post-partum), a total of forty-eight adult Barki ewes (2.5- 3 years old and 38.39 kg average body weight) and their lambs (with a mean birth weight of 3.35 kg) were used. These ewes were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group was fed a control roughage diet of Berseen hay while the second one was fed silage made from four salt tolerant plants (Atriplex halimus (50%), Beta vulgaris (25%), Pearl millet (15%) and Carthamus tinctorius hay (10%). Commercial concentrate mixture was used as the concentrate portion of the ration to ewes of the two groups. All ewes of both groups were naturally mated. The two groups fed these diets for an adaptation period of 21 days before mating season and continued all over the pregnancy period and then after parturition till weaning their lambs. Throughout the first month after parturition, live body weight changes, thermo-respiratory responses and haematological profile were recorded at intervals of five days for all ewes and their lambs. In addition, milk yield was estimated from all ewes in both groups immediately after birth and every week during the first month after birth. In general, statistical analysis showed a significant (P<0.01) effect of measurement intervals on all the studied hematological parameters in both Barki ewes and their lambs except for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of dams. However, all of these parameters didn’t affected by type of maternal nutrition especially in lambs. There were no significant effects of type of feeding on rectal, skin, and coat temperatures at all times of measurement in lambs or their dams. However, Regardless of feeding type both ewes and lambs had higher (P<0.01) respiration rate at the first day of birth than at 7, 14, 21, 28 days post-partum. In conclusion, results of the present study indicated that feeding Barki ewes on silage from the experimental salt tolerant plants can not affect their productivity with no health challenges to them or to their lambs.
Longevity of seeds of four annual grass and two dicotyledon weed species as related to placement in the soil and straw disposal technique.

Persistence of seeds of the four winter annual grass species, Alopecurus myosuroides, Bromus sterilis, Bromus hordeaceus and Vulpia myuros, were studied under field conditions. The studies also included the two dicotyledon species, Tripleurospermum inodorum and Galium aparine. Seed samples were stored in the field at different depths in the plough layer for a year. Following germination, seedling emergence was taken as an indicator of field persistence. In a supplementary investigation, seed samples were placed on the soil surface or buried at 2 cm for a month and then tested for viability. Persistence of the two Bromus species was very short, irrespective of depth and duration of burial. Persistence of the other species was positively correlated with incorporation of seeds to a few centimetres depth. Increasing the depth of incorporation below 2 cm had a variable influence on persistence. Persistence of seeds placed directly on the soil surface was short, whether they were left there for a year or a month. Whether seeds at the soil surface were left uncovered or covered with chopped straw had limited influence on seed persistence. However, straw cover significantly increased persistence of A. myosuroides seeds and there was the same tendency with T. inodorum.