Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manejo del cultivo de la uchuva en Colombia

Recopilacion de las experiencias obtenidas durante el desarrollo del proyecto: biologia y dinamica de las principales enfermedades y plagas de los cultivos de uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.) ubicados en los departamentos de Cundinamarca, Boyaca y Antioquia. Proporciona informacion sobre el manejo agronomico del cultivo considerando temas como, ubicacion, ciclo, propagacion, desinfeccion del suelo, distancias de siembra, preparacion del suelo y siembra, fertilizacion, podas, tutorado y manejo de malezas, identificacion reconocimiento y manejo de las principales enfermedades y plagas contemplando: enfermedades ocasionadas por hongos, ocasionadas por bacterias, ocasionadas por virus, disturbios no infecciosos y plagas del cultivo, y por ultimo, aspectos relacionados con la cosecha y poscosecha como: labores de cosecha, operaciones poscosecha, secado de la fruta, seleccion clasificacion y empaque y almacenamiento
A palaeoecological perspective on the origin of Afromontane grasslands

This paper offers a review and reassessment of the biogeography of the Afromontane region. Much of the montane vegetation of Africa, especially in the southern part of its distribution (the southern Afromontane region) is characterized by a mosaic of forest 'islands' in a 'sea' of grassland, with or without heathland elements. Controversy has arisen as to the origin of these grasslands and the view has emerged, based on a variety of phytogeographical, zoogeographical, ecological, pedological and historical evi- dence, that the grassland element has been derived, or at least markedly extended, in the recent past by forest clear- ance through human agency. An alternative hypothesis holds that the grassland is a much older component of the Afromontane landscape. The paper assesses these two op- posing viewpoints in the light of published palaeoecological and biogeographical evidence not previ- ously brought to bear on the problem of Afromontane grassland origins in general. The physical environment and vegetation of the southern Afromontane region is reviewed and the suggestions put forward to account for the wide- spread occurrence of grasslands in the region are presented. The competing hypotheses are then tested against data on plant species richness and diversity from a number of upland areas within the region and against published Qua- ternary palynological data from the Nyika Plateau, Malawi, the Inyanga Mountains, Zimbabwe and the Winterberg Escarpment area of South Africa. The resulting reassess- ment offers strong support for the idea that the grasslands have been prominent in the southern Afromontane region since before the permanent occupation of the mountains by people. Environmental changes, especially of the late Qua- ternary, are suggested as having been important in establishing the vegetation pattern and, while increased magnitude of human impact in recent times is apparent, the so-called 'relict' nature of montane forest patches is ques- tionable. It is argued that the southern Afromontane grasslands are themselves relict from a time, around the last glacial maximum, when the climatic conditions were more suited to these formations than to forest.
The Quantitative Nutritional Requirements of Drosophila Melanogaster

1. A technique for sterilizing large numbers of Drosophila eggs is described. This gives about 95% successful cultures. 2. Using this method, dose-response curves have been obtained for all the main dietary constituents under conditions in which interactions between them are likely to be of little significance. Responses to the following are detailed: casein, fructose, cholesterol, lecithin, RNA, thiamine, riboflavine, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, pyridoxine, folic acid, choline and a water-soluble fraction of yeast which improves growth. 3. Other substances which have been included in Drosophila media are shown to have no value for the inbred strain of flies tested. 4. It is also shown that only K, P, Mg and Na salts need to be included in the food. 5. On the basis of these findings an optimal medium is formulated which allows larval development to be completed in about 4.4 days. This compares with 4.1 days when the same strain is reared on an optimal supply of killed yeast. 6. The minimal nutritional requirements of Drosophila larvae are shown to be considerably less than those of other aseptically cultured insects and, as far as the vitamins are concerned, only broadly related to the amounts found in yeast. The possible reasons for this are discussed.
Yields and Economics of High Tunnels for Production of Warm-season Vegetable Crops

Crop development rates, yields and production economics for muskmelon (Cucumis melo), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) grown in high tunnels [4.3 m wide × 2.5 m high × 29 m long (14 × 8 × 96 ft)] were compared to standard low tunnels over several cropping seasons in a temperate production area. The polyethylene-covered high tunnels protect several rows of crop for the duration of the cropping season. Air temperatures in the high tunnels were controlled by raising the sides of the tunnel. Low tunnels cover only a single row and must be removed soon after the crop is established to prevent overcrowding or overheating. When the low tunnels were in place, rates of accumulation of growing-degree days (GDDs) and early crop growth were comparable in the two tunnel systems. However, once the low tunnels were removed, the accumulation of GDDs in the high tunnels exceeded the standard system. The crops in the high tunnels matured 1 to 2 weeks earlier and produced substantially greater fruit yields before frost than in the low tunnel treatments. The high tunnels provided little frost protection and were of limited utility for extension of the growing season. The high tunnels were much more costly to purchase and construct than the low tunnels but were durable enough to be used for multiple cropping seasons. Based on wholesale commodity prices, it would take 2 to 5 years for the enhanced gross returns obtained with the high tunnels to cover their higher capital costs.
Discrete signature varieties

Discrete signatures are invariants computed from time series that correspond to the discretised version of the signature of paths. We study the algebraic varieties arising from their images, the discrete signature variety. We introduce them and compute their dimension in many cases. From the analysis of a particular subclass of these varieties, we also derive a partial solution to the Chen-Chow theorem in an algebraically closed setting.
Contrôle symbiotique de l’immunité au cours des étapes tardives de la symbiose Medicago-Sinorhizobium

La legumineuse Medicago etablie une interaction symbiotique avec des bacteries du sol fixatrices d’azote, les rhizobia. Cette interaction provoque la formation d’un nouvel organe racinaire, la nodosite, au sein de laquelle les bacteries infectent de maniere massive et chronique les cellules de la plante. Malgre cette invasion, aucune reaction de defense n’est observee ce qui suggere l’existence de mecanismes symbiotiques locaux de controle de l’immunite. Les genes de Medicago DNF2 et SymCRK codant une phospholipase C-like et un recepteur-like kinase riche en cysteines, semblaient intervenir dans ces mecanismes peu connus. Mon travail de these a consiste a mieux caracteriser les mecanismes de tolerance aux rhizobia notamment ceux faisant intervenir ces deux genes. Nos resultats indiquent que dnf2 et symCRK forment des nodosites non-fixatrices, necrotiques, presentant une activation des defenses et une perte de viabilite des bacteroides (forme intracellulaire des bacteries). Par ailleurs, l’utilisation de mutants bacteriens nous a permis de montrer que, chez la plante sauvage, la perte de viabilite des bacteroides et l’absence de fixation d’azote ne sont pas suffisantes pour stimuler les defenses. Nos resultats indiquent egalement que dnf2 et symCRK agissent successivement lors du processus symbiotique et que la necessite de dnf2 pour l’etablissement de la symbiose peut etre contournee dans certaines conditions de culture. Enfin, nous avons realise une analyse du proteome de symCRK et des experiences de physiologie vegetale qui ont mis en evidence la necessite, pour le maintien d’une symbiose efficace, de reprimer la voie ethylene apres internalisation des rhizobia dans les cellules vegetales. Ensemble, nos donnees ameliorent la comprehension du phenomene de tolerance observee dans les nodosites de Legumineuses.
A matter of timing: Adélie penguin reproductive success in a seasonally varying environment

Earlier breeding has been shown to be advantageous for the reproductive outcomes of a variety of avian species inhabiting a diverse range of environments. However, it is generally unclear how this advantage translates for polar seabirds that breed in a highly seasonal and restricted breeding season. The present study determined whether there was an overall advantage or disadvantage of early or late breeding on the reproductive outcomes of Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae breeding at Bechervaise Island, East Antarctica. We examined this for individual nests within each year as well as for the overall population over a 13 yr period, using between 69 and 166 monitored nests each year. We investigated whether any advantage was related to bird age, and quantified the different environmental conditions (windchill and snow days) that early and late breeders and their eggs and chicks experienced. In just under half of the years, laying eggs late in the breeding season resulted in a reduced chance of chicks creching, and early egg laying was advantageous in only 2 years. We found no evidence that the advantage of early breeding or the disadvantage of late laying was due to the age and associated experience of the birds. We are unable to generate a consistent explanation for why the timing of clutch initiation in some years was important for reproductive success, yet in others it was not. The years when timing was important were not consistently harsh nor were they particularly favourable for overall reproductive success.
MODELLING THE INTERACTION OF COTTON AND THE COTTON BOLL WEEVIL. II. BOLLWEEVIL (ANTHONOMUS GRANDIS)

SUMMARY (1) A population dynamics model of the field biology of the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boh.) under Brazilian conditions was linked to a model for cotton growth and development. An age-structured, distributed maturation times population dynamics model with attrition was used for both the plant and the weevil. The models are demand driven, and all aspects of the biology are controlled by the interplay of resource supply and demand. The model compared quite favourably to field data. (2) The compounding effects of low soil nitrogen on both plant and weevil dynamics were examined. (3) The biology of the weevil in Brazil is similar to that reported for its North American relative, except that it readily attacks bolls. Fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) appear to be an important predator of boll weevil immatures. (4) The fruiting dynamics of the plant were shown to affect greatly the dynamics of the weevil, and vice-versa. (5) Simulation analysis suggests that IAC cottons that are currently the mainstay of the industry in Brazil are poorly suited to compensate for boll weevil damage. The model suggests that short season cottons similar to those developed in North America might be suitable alternatives. An explanation is given in terms of per fruit losses and fruit bud replacement rates. (6) The simulation analysis shows that insecticides are needed to control this pest as effective biological control agents are absent in Brazil. The model suggests that the use of an economic threshold based on the ratio of the rate of fruit point production to fruit damage can greatly reduce the number of applications required. Increasing the per unit cost of insecticides on their use was explored.
Evaluation of Genetic Variation, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Various Traits in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] under north Gangetic Plains of Uttar Pradesh

An experiment was undertaken on twenty genotypes and fifteen characters of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] to evaluate variability, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV), heritability and genetic advance in all genotypes. The wide range of variability was observedamong fifteen characters of all genotypes. The (PCV) were generally higher than their respective genotypic coefficient of variance, thus revealing the role of environmental factors. High PCV was exhibited by plant height (14.92 %), first branching node (37.38 %), number of branches per plant (36.06 %), number of seeds per fruit (22.43 %), first fruiting node (19.07 %), first flowering node (18.03 %) and yield (16.65 %) per hectare. High GCV were observed for number of branches per plant (29.80 %), first branching node(29.75 %), number of seeds per fruit(17.30 %), first fruiting node (15.27 %) and plant height (14.51 %). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height (94.0 and 29.05 %), stem diameter (94.0 and 27.81 %), fruit weight (94.0 and 21.64 %), number of branches per plant (68.0 and 50.74) and first branching node (63.0 and 48.76 %).
The rock-pool fish community of Koppie Alleen and an assessment of the importance of Cape rock-pools as nurseries for juvenile fish

Fishes inhabiting rock-pools at Koppie Alleen on the southern Cape coast were collected quarterly over two years. Clinids (10 species) were numerically dominant with Cllnus cottoides (63,4%) and C. dorsalis (8,5%) being the most abundant species. Five other species, namely C. superciliosus, Chorisochismus dentex, Kuhlia mugll, Liza richandsoni and Diplodus sargus each constituted more than 2% of the sample. Species richness varied seasonally, being greater during the summer months owing to an Influx of transient species. Comparisons with the eastern and western Cape fish faunas reveal an eastward increase in the total number of species, in the number of subtropical species and in the contribution of transient species, and substantiates previous observations on trends in the composition of the resident component. The importance of the Cape rock-pool habitat as a nursery area is assessed by comparing the abundance of the fish in rock-pools with available information on other inshore habitats. No species wer.
Enrofloxacin decreases IL-6 and TNF-α production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to explore the effect of enrofloxacin on production of selected cytokines by porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Material and Methods: Twenty pigs (10 control and 10 experimental) were used in this research. Pigs from experimental group received enrofloxacin at therapeutic doses. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after treatment with enrofloxacin. PBMCs were incubated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production of IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. Results: Administration of enrofloxacin to healthy pigs for 5 d induced a transient reduction of the PBMCs response to LPS in terms of IL-6 and TNF-α secretion. The concentration of IL-6 returned to the day 0 level shortly after treatment, while TNF-α production remained reduced for 10 d after the treatment. The production of IL-10 was not affected by enrofloxacin. The level of IFN-γ was below the detection limit of the tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that enrofloxacin administered in vivo in therapeutic doses has an immunomodulatory effect through its capacity to inhibit secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α by porcine PBMC stimulated by LPS.
Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power assay in plant extract

The ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP) assay involved the following steps: a) preparation of samples, b) reactions and c) finally measuring absorbance of sample and standard at 700 nm using spectrophotometer. The samples were methanolic extract, different fractions ( n -hexane, chloroform) and standard ascorbic acid. The solutions prepared were buffer solution (pH 6.6), 1% potassium ferricyanide solution, 10% trichloroacetic acid and 0.1% ferric chloride. Video Clip of Methodology: Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power assay: 21 min 18 sec Full Screen Alternate
Do migratory warblers carry excess fuel reserves during migration for insurance or for breeding purposes?

ABSTRACT Migration is energetically costly, and many passerines prepare for and maintain migration with hyperphagia and increased fuel or fat reserves. During spring migration, as they approach their breeding grounds, passerines may deposit fat in excess of what is needed to complete migration. Individuals may carry excess fuel reserves as insurance against potentially poor environmental conditions in early spring (insurance hypothesis). If this is true, individuals arriving early at northern stopover locations or their breeding grounds should have greater energy reserves than later arrivals. Alternatively, passerines may arrive in spring with excess fat to help offset the demands of breeding (breeding performance hypothesis). Given the energetic requirements of egg production, females may arrive with greater reserves than males if excess fat directly or indirectly offsets breeding costs. We analyzed the energetic condition of 12 warbler species mist-netted during migration from 1999 to 2012 at Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Monroe County, New York, USA. This northern stopover location is near the breeding range (in relation to total migratory distance) for most of the parulid species we examined and, therefore, is a likely location to show carryover effects between migration and breeding. In 11 of the 12 species, energetic condition was greater in the spring than in the fall for both sexes; and in all 12 species, condition was greater in females than in males in both seasons. Contrary to the insurance hypothesis, condition increased with arrival date for most species during spring migration. Although better condition in females supports the breeding performance hypothesis, the presence of this difference in both seasons suggests that additional factors influence energetic condition in parulids. Given that males arrive in better condition in the spring than when they depart in the fall, individuals of both sexes may carry excess energy reserves during spring migration to potentially use for reproductive efforts.
Effect of vitamin C and E as water additives on productive performance and egg quality of heat stressed local laying hens in Siwa Oasis.

Seventy five Dokki-4 laying hens 24 weeks of age were used to study the effect of vitamin C and E on productive performance and egg quality of local laying hens reared under Siwa Oasis summer condition. Birds were divided equally into five groups (two levels of vitamin C (400 and 600) mg/L water and two levels of vitamin E (200 and 300) mg/L water), in addition to control group. Birds were fed basal diet containing 2600 Kcal ME/ kg diet and 16.71% CP. Water and feed were provided ad libitum. Feed and water consumption were measured weekly and feed conversion efficiency was calculated. Egg production, egg weight were recorded and egg mass was calculated daily during 24 to 36 weeks of age. Random samples of 5 eggs from each treatment were collected weekly to measure egg quality. The obtained results indicated that both levels of vitamin E improved (P≤0.05) egg number value, egg mass, shell weight and yolk weight as compared to the control, while both levels of vitamin E decreased (P≤0.01) albumin wt. % as compared to the control. Both levels of vitamin E and 600 mg vitamin C / L water improved (P≤0.05) egg weight as compared to the control. All water additives improved (P≤0.05) shell thickness and haugh unit score as compared to the control. Both levels of vitamin C did not affect significantly shell wt. % and albumin wt. % as compared to the control. Feed consumption values were increased by vitamin E supplementation. The best values for feed conversion were for vitamin E (2.12 and 2.48 vs. 2.76 for the control). S. E. M. El-Sheikh and A.A. Salama 680 Digestion coefficient of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE were not significantly affected by both levels of vitamins C and E supplementation in drinking water as compared to the control. The best value for (E.E) and (R.E.E) had been recorded by hens with 400 mg vitamin C or 200 mg vitamin E / liter of drinking water as compared to the control. In conclusion supplementation both vitamins C by level 400 mg / liter water and E by levels 200 and 300 mg/ liter water could be beneficial for local laying hens under hot summer condition of Egypt to get the best laying performance and egg quality.
The role of floating mucilage in the invasive spread of the benthic microalga Chrysophaeum taylorii

Chrysophaeum taylorii Lewis & Bryan (Pelagophyceae) is a mucilage-producing benthic microalga that has recently begun to spread in the Mediterranean Sea, where a range expansion is occurring. This paper presents the results of three field experiments that aimed to increase the knowledge on mucilage provision mechanisms for this benthic microalga and to evaluate the importance of mucilage in its range expansion. By means of two correlative field experiments (several years of data were considered to encompass the variability of mucilage cover) we found that, on the sea bottom, mucilage cover does not depend on epilithic cell density and that both its cover and settling are affected by water flow. We also tested the hypothesis that cells embedded in floating mucilage fall on the underlying substratum, where their abundance depends on water flow. To this aim, in the field we manipulated the presence of floating mucilaginous aggregates in cages with different levels of exposure to winds. The abundance of C. taylorii cells on the substratum under cages with mucilage was compared with that of two control treatments: cages without mucilage and mucilage in still water, in the field and lab, respectively. The results suggested that mucilage can represent an excellent strategy for the species to disperse, as C. taylorii cells fall from the floating mucilage and, if the water flow is unimportant, settle on hard substrata just underneath the cage. This study enriches the portfolio of knowledge of the dispersal strategies of microalgae and contributes to the understanding of the spread of invasive species.