Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENETIC VARIABILITY, ASSOCIATION AND DIVERSITY STUDIES IN BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Thirty wheat genotypes significant genotypic differences were observed for all the traits studied indicated the considerable amount of variation among genotypes for each character. The estimates of GCV and PCV were moderate for biological yield per plant, number of effective tillers per plant. High heritability estimates were recorded for all the traits and also indicated high genetic advance (except days to 50% flowering and days to maturity). Grain yield per plant showed highly significant positive correlation with 1000 seed weight, plant height and number of effective tillers per plant, spike length and 1000 seed weight highly significant positive correlation with grains per spike. Path coefficient analysis revealed that 1000 seed weight and plant height had the highest direct effect on grain yield per plant and each must be given preference in selection along superior wheat genotypes. On the basis of maximum divergence, inter-mating of K816 and HUW-533 mono-cluster genotypes from cluster VI and VII showing maximum inter-cluster distance between them followed by monocluster genotype K816 from cluster VI with 3 genotypes from cluster II exihibiting high degree of genetic diversity may be utilized through inter-varietal hybridization programme. Noteworthy is that cluster II and VI exhibited high cluster means for seed yield per plant, grains per spike and spike length; cluster VI and VII for tillers per plant, seed yield per plant and test weight and it also exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean, might be utilized in hybridization- selection breeding for wheat genotypes.
Phytochemical Analysis and in vitro Antifungal Profile of Bioactive Fractions from Sterculia setigera (Sterculiaceae)

Sterculia setigera L. is a small evergreen tree having antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects. Leaves of Sterculia setigera have been investigated for its phytochemical and antifungal properties. In the present study, aqueous acetone extract and fractions of leaf from Sterculia setigera were used. Quantitative analysis of extract and fractions revealed the presence of total phenolic and total flavonoid. The polyphenol content was estimated by Folin- ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods aim of this present study was access the phytochemical composition and antifungal properties of extract and fractions from this Sterculiaceae. Folin-ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods respectively were used for polyphenol contents. The antifungal potency was investigated by Micro-well dilution (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) assay against eight different fungal species. Results indicated that total phenolic and flavonoid contents revealed that EAF and DCMF have the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents 30.02±1.02 mg GAE and 8.24±1.10 mg QE, respectively. As for the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assay (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of extract and fractions, result varied according to microorganism. The MIC values of fractions were ranged from 31.25 to 500 µg/mL and as for the MFC values were ranged from 125 to 1000 µg/mL. Among the samples tested for antifungal activity, EAE and DCMF have also the highest activities compared to other fractions. In short, our findings revealed that DCMF and EAF have influenced the antifungal properties. As a matter of fact, Sterculia setigera could be exploited to formulate novel drugs from plan origin against fungal infections.
Modulation of Cholesterol and Copper Residue Levels in Muscles and Blood Serum of Finishing Broiler Chickens Fed Copper and Ascorbic Acid Supplements

To study the effect of Copper (Cu) and ascorbic acid supplements on modulation of cholesterol and copper residue content of chicken muscles and blood serum, two hundred and forty finishing Anak broiler chickens of mixed sexes were randomly allotted to four dietary treatment groups with four replication of fifteen birds each. The feeding period was 5 weeks. The response to copper and ascorbic acid were such that dietary supplementation with 250 ppm Cu alone resulted in 30 and 19% reduction in pectoralis major and biceps femoris muscles cholesterol respectively. Supplementation with 250 ppm Cu + 100 ppm Ascorbic acid resulted in 29 and 12% reduction in muscles cholesterol while inclusion of 100 ppm ascorbic acid alone brought about 4 and 10% reduction in the two muscles respectively. Serum cholesterol reduced by 28% and the addition 100 ppm ascorbic acid reduced this to 26%. Ascorbic acid (100 ppm) exerted 12% reduction in serum cholesterol. Ascorbic lowered the hypocholesterolemic potency of copper by about 1-7%. Combination of 100 ppm ascorbic and 250 ppm Cu slowed down rate of weight gain by 11% when compared with 250 ppm Cu alone as supplement, Supplementation with 100 ppm ascorbic alone improved carcass yield by 4% compared to 250 ppm Cu. Metalloprotein enzyme (AST and ALP) activities were significantly increased with supplementation. Cu residue was more in biceps femoris than pectoralis major muscle. Above 30% reduction in Cu residue was noticed with addition of ascorbic acid.
Effects of shrimp trawling on the structure of macrobenthic communities of Paraná's inner shelf

The objective of present contribution was analyzes disturbances caused by shrimp trawling on macrobenthic communities of soft bottom on two areas: one located within a currently trawled area and the other impacted in the past by trawling activity, but where supposingdly there is no trawling in the present. Samples were taken using an iron core of 0.05 m² with a 500µm mesh attached to one of the core ends received the collected material by SCUBA diving. Bi-factorial analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to compare ecological descriptors for both areas. To analyze and compare the communities’ structure was performed a MDS and similarity analyses (ANOSIM). It is not found significant difference for anything ecological descriptor, nor to the total of polychaetes, bivalves and crustaceans between areas. However, significant differences were found among months, except to the total of bivalves and Shannon & Wiener diversity index, indicating that differences were more related to temporal variation than to area variation.
THE HORMONAL CONTROL OF CELL WALL TURNOVER IN PISUM SATIVUM L.

SUMMARY A tentative structure for the polysaccharides of pea epicotyl cell walls is presented. The turnover of these polysaccharides has been followed by gravimetric and pulse chase studies. It is suggested that an important effect of IAA is the promotion of turnover in certain wall hemi-celluloses, notably xyloglucan; moreover, such turnover appears to be inhibited by kinetin. The relevance of these findings is discussed in terms of longitudinal and lateral cell expansion.
Chitosan effects on blackmold rot and pathogenic factors produced by Alternaria alternata in postharvest tomatoes.

Stem scar application of chitosan inhibited growth and production of pathogenic factors by blackmold rot (Alternaria alternata (Fr.:Fr.) Keissl. ) in challenged tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit stored at 20 °C for 28 days. Blackmold lesions were visible within 4 days of inoculation in control fruit, compared with >7 days in chitosan- treated fruit. Macerating enzyme activity (polygalacturonase, pectate lyase, and cellulase) in the tissue in the vicinity of the lesions was <50% in chitosan-treated fruit compared with control fruit. Chitosan also inhibited production of oxalic and fumaric acids (chelating agents) and host-specific toxins such as alternariol and alternariol monomethylether by the fungus. The pH of the infected tissue decreased from 4.7 to 4.0 in the control fruit, the optimum for polygalacturonase activity, while the pH of chitosan-treated fruit remained at 4.6. In addition, chitosan also induced production of rishitin (a phytoalexin) in tomato tissue. Such chitosan-pathogen-host interactions may be exploited in the control of postharvest pathogens of fresh fruit and vegetables. strict control due to potential health risks, and none of them are approved for postharvest use. Hence, there is a need to exploit natural antifungal substances and host defenses for the control of postharvest pathogens. Chitosan (s,1-4, linked glucosamine polymer), the deacetylated form of chitin, has been shown to be antifungal against a wide range of fungi (El Ghaouth et al., 1992a). Chitosan induces chitinases in plant tissue (El Ghaouth et al., 1992b; Mauch et al., 1984), structural defense barriers in bell pepper fruit ( Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum (Grossum Group)) (El Ghaouth et al., 1994), and elicits the production of phytoalexin in pea pods (Pisum sativum L.) (Kendra and Hadwiger, 1984). Chitosan coating of strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa Duchesne) and tomato fruit reduces the severity of infection by Botrytis cinerea (Pers.) Fr. (gray mold) and Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.) Fr. (Rhizopus rot) and delays ripening (El Ghaouth et al., 1991; El Ghaouth et al., 1992c). Chitosan interferes with macerating enzyme production in B. cinerea when applied to the stem scars of bell pepper fruit (El Ghaouth et al., 1997). Our previous results showed that chitosan affects growth, morphology, and toxin production by A. alternata (Reddy et al., 1998), and multiplica- tion and secretion of macerating enzymes by Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al. (bacterial soft rot), in inoculated potato tissue (Solanum tuberosum L.) (Reddy et al., 1997). These observations revealed that chitosan, in addition to its direct antimicrobial activity, also interferes with pathogenic factors and induces host defenses. We report herein the mecha- nisms of chitosan action in controlling the progress of blackmold rot in postharvest tomato fruit.
Disentangling facilitation and seed dispersal from environmental heterogeneity as mechanisms generating associations between savanna plants

Question: How can we disentangle facilitation and seed dispersal from environmental heterogeneity as mechanisms causing spatial associations of plant species? Location: Semi-arid savanna in the Kimberley Thorn Bushveld, South Africa. Methods: We developed a two-step protocol for the statistical differentiation of association-promoting mechanisms in plants based on the Acacia erioloba–Grewia flava association. Individuals of the savanna shrub G. flava and the tree A. erioloba were mapped on four study plots. Disentangling the mechanism causing the association of G. flava and A. erioloba involved tests of three spatial and one non-spatial null model. The spatial null models include homogeneous and heterogeneous Poisson processes for spatial randomness based on the bivariate spatial point patterns of the four plots. With the non-spatial analysis, we determined the relationship between the canopy diameter of A. erioloba trees and presence or absence of G. flava shrubs in the tree understorey to find whether shrub presence requires a minimum tree canopy diameter. Results: We first showed a significant positive spatial association of the two species. Thereafter, the non-spatial analysis supported an exclusion of environmental heterogeneity as the sole cause of this positive association. We found a minimum tree size under which no G. flava shrubs occurred. Conclusions: Our two-step analysis showed that it is unlikely that heterogeneous environmental conditions caused the spatial association of A. erioloba and G. flava. Instead, this association may have been caused by seed dispersal and/or facilitation (e.g. caused by hydraulic lift and/or nitrogen fixation by the host tree).
Habitat Selection and Activity Budgets of Keel-Billed Toucans at the Landscape Level

Abstract Landscape-level behavioral information is needed to understand factors that underlie animal distributions in disturbed habitats. I examined habitat use and activity budgets of Keel-billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus) in a pasture-dominated landscape in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. The objectives were to compare habitat selection at two scales, and to describe activity budgets of toucans with an emphasis on how behavior varied by habitat type. Six toucans were followed between January and July 1998 for a total of 349 hr. I noted behavior, bird location, and habitat type. At one spatial scale, birds' individual movement area was a nonrandom portion of the overall study area. When time spent in habitats by individual toucans was compared to habitat available in individual movement areas, habitat selection was also nonrandom. Forest remnants were preferred at both scales. Toucans spent approximately equal time foraging and perching (35–40%). Calling, preening, and social interactions each occupied 10% or less of the birds' activity budgets. All activities occurred in similar proportions in all habitat types, suggesting that different habitats provide many of the same resources. Combining individual patterns of habitat selection with activity budgets yields a better understanding of factors that allow populations to persist in disturbed landscapes. Selección de Hábitat y Asignación de Actividades del Tucán Ramphastos sulfuratus a Escala de Paisaje Resumen. Se requieren estudios de comportamiento enfocados a la escala de paisaje para comprender los factores que afectan la distribución de los organismos en hábitats perturbados. Se examinó el uso de hábitat y asignación de actividades del tucán Ramphastos sulfuratus en paisajes dominados por pastizales en Los Tuxtlas, México. Los objetivos fueron comparar la selección de hábitat a dos escalas espaciales y describir la asignación de actividades de los tucanes poniendo énfasis en cómo el comportamiento es afectado por el tipo de hábitat. Seis tucanes fueron seguidos entre enero y julio de 1998 por un total de 349 hr. Registré el comportamiento, la posición del ave, y el tipo de hábitat. A una de las escalas espaciales consideradas, el area individual de movimiento de las aves representó una porción no azarosa del area total de estudio. Cuando el tiempo consumido por individuo en un hábitat determinado fue comparado con el hábitat disponible en las áreas individuales de movimiento, la selección de hábitat difirió de una selección al azar. Los remanentes de selva fueron preferidos a ambas escalas. Los tucanes consumieron aproximadamente el mismo tiempo forrajeando y posados (35–40%). Los llamadas, así como las interacciones sociales ocuparon 10% o menos de la asignación de actividades de las aves. Todas las actividades se llevaron a cabo en proporciones similares en todos los tipos de hábitat. La combinación de patrones individuales de selección de hábitat con la asignación de actividades proporciona una mejor comprensión de los factores que permiten la subsistencia de poblaciones en hábitats perturbados.
Are common species endangered by climate change? Habitat suitability projections for the royal ground snake, Liophis reginae (Serpentes, Dipsadidae)

Climate change may affect the distribution of many species regardless of their rareness or commonness. This scenario includes most reptiles: being ectotherms they are consequently highly dependent of some environmental conditions. Herein we present a distribution map for a common snake, widely distributed in South America, Liophis reginae, based on literature records and ecological niche models to project possible changes in its distribution caused by climate change based on ten climatic conditions projected for the present, 2020, 2050 and 2080. Our results predict increasing fragmentation and loss of suitable areas for Liophis reginae despite of its commonness. We suggest that conservation efforts should consider both the maintenance of rare and imminently threatened species and the prevention of population depletion of common species, because, in comparison with rare species, common species are often more important in the structure and dynamics of communities.
How Many Species of Gall-Inducing Insects Are There on Earth, and Where Are They?

Abstract During the last two decades, there was considerable debate on the actual number of insect species on Earth, and current estimates range from 5 to 30 million species. For gall-inducing insects, a cosmopolitan group of specialist herbivores, the last, 40-yr-old estimate of global richness indicated 13,000 species, mostly from temperate regions. To update these estimates, we used 10 studies that provided the average number of gall-inducing insect species per plant species (galled and nongalled) in different vegetation types around the world, and a recent calculation of 422,000 seed plant species on Earth. Considering that most of the gall-inducing insects are monophagous, these data were extrapolated to the global flora, assuming a positive relationship between gall-inducing insect richness and plant richness. Estimates of the global richness of gall-inducing insects ranged from 21,000 to 211,000 species, with an average of 132,930 species. The global distribution pattern described for gall-inducing insects pointed to a higher richness in warm temperate regions with sclerophyllous vegetation. However, it is likely that the tropical rain forests would harbor a higher absolute number of gall-inducing insects, due to their outstanding plant richness. Most of this fauna will be found on the poorly explored canopies of rain forests, especially in the Neotropical region. An increased sampling effort in tropical regions should fill the taxonomy gap represented by gall-inducing insects and possibly change the biogeographic patterns described so far.
Gain with no Pain: Efficient Kernel-PCA by Nyström Sampling

In this paper, we propose and study a Nystrom based approach to efficient large scale kernel principal component analysis (PCA). The latter is a natural nonlinear extension of classical PCA based on considering a nonlinear feature map or the corresponding kernel. Like other kernel approaches, kernel PCA enjoys good mathematical and statistical properties but, numerically, it scales poorly with the sample size. Our analysis shows that Nystrom sampling greatly improves computational efficiency without incurring any loss of statistical accuracy. While similar effects have been observed in supervised learning, this is the first such result for PCA. Our theoretical findings, which are also illustrated by numerical results, are based on a combination of analytic and concentration of measure techniques. Our study is more broadly motivated by the question of understanding the interplay between statistical and computational requirements for learning.
Calcium-Related Physiological Disorders of Plants

Many ohhe physiological disorders,aftlicting both storage organs, such as fruits, certain vegetables, roots, and young, enclosed leafy structures are related to the Ca content of the respective tissues. Improving their Ca content normally diminishes the occurrence of the respective disease. Shear (157) has listed more than 30 Ca-deficiency disorders and this list probably will be extended as research. in this field proceeds. These disorders are believed to be due to an inefficient distribution of Ca rather than POOf. Ca uptake. This problem is illustrated by the observation that leaves contain considerably more Ca than storage organs or young enclosed tissues from the same plant ( 19,23, 126). Poor Ca distribution within the.plant can also explain both the frequent appearance of Ca-deficiency disorders leven on Ca-rich soils and the failure of Ca· fertilization, although often not done (123), to solve this problem. Ca has received considerable attention in recent years not only because of its relationship to physiological disorders but also because of other desir­ able effects, particularly in fruits where it can reduce respiration ( 13, 26), delay ripening ( 155), extend storage life ( 155), increase firmness ( 13, 40) and vitamin C content ( 12), and reduce storage rot ( 155). The continued in­ crease in interest in the effects of Ca on different physiological processes in plants as well as in its uptake and distribution within the plant is indicated by some international symposia on this subject. The reports of these sym­ posia, together with some comprehensive reviews, cover a great deal of the relevant literature (28, 3 1, 33, 49;, 52, 57, 70, 80, 108, IB, f57, 203).
Research cruise data on the biology of the lesser flying squid, Todaropsis eblanae, in the North Sea

A total of 324 specimens of the ommastrephid squid Todaropsis eblanae, collected from bottom trawl surveys in the North Sea was examined. Information on seasonal length frequency distributions and relationships of beak size to mantle length and wet body mass from the northernmost distribution of the species is supplied. The overall male: female ratio was 1: 0.78. Maturing males and females were found in winter and summer, while fully mature animals were observed only in summer. Sexual maturity in females occurred in bigger sizes than in males. Specimens were caught in water depths between 56 and 170 m throughout the whole investigated area except from the German Bight. This paper presents the first biological data on T. eblanae in the North Sea derived from scientific surveys.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHLOROPLAST GENOME OF THE FRESHWATER CENTRIC DIATOM CYCLOTELLA MENEGHINIANA 1

We constructed a complete physical map and a partial gene map of the chloroplast genome of Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing clone 1020‐1a (Bacillariophyceae). The 128‐kb circular molecule contains a 17‐kb inverted repeat, which divides the genome into single copy regions of65 kb and 29 kb. This is the largest genome and inverted repeat found in any diatom examined to date. In addition to the 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA genes, the inverted repeat contains both the ndhD gene (as yet unexamined in other diatoms) and the psbA gene (located similarly in one of two other examined diatoms). The Cyclotella chloroplast genome exists as two equimolar populations of inversion isomers that differ in the relative orientation of their single copy sequences. This inversion heterogeneity presumably results from intramolecular recombination within the inverted repeat. For the first time, we map the ndhD, psaC, rpofi, rpoCl, and rpoC2 genes to the chloroplast genome of a chlorophyll c‐containing alga. While the Cyclotella chloroplast genome retains some prokaryotic and land plant gene clusters and operons, it contains a highly rearranged gene order in the large and small single copy regions compared to all other examined diatom, algal, and land plant chloroplast genomes.
Evaluating Financial Viability of Olive Mills Enterprise in Jordan

The main aim of this study was to evaluate financial viability of olive oil mills enterprise. Thirty olive mills were investigated. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information from mills owners. The information obtained was mainly related to costs and returns. Cash flows were derived from costs and returns items of the enterprise. Three main discounted measures of project worth were used; these were Net Present Value (NPV), the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and the Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C). The results of this study revealed that olive mills could be a viable encouraging, and profitable enterprise because of its capability to generate a highly positive and acceptable NPV (837966.05 JDs). The IRR (85%) and B/C ratio (2.3) values for this enterprise were economically accepted.