Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of wide spacing and thinning strategies on wood quality in Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands in southern Sweden

Abstract The initial density of a stand influences both the prethinning growth and the quality of the harvested trees. This study investigated the effects of different square spacings (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 m) with thinning from above and thinning from below on stand development and tree characteristics in a 33-year-old Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] plantation in southern Sweden. Before thinning the total standing volume was not significantly different between treatments. Diameter at breast height (dbh) and diameter of the thickest branch were positively correlated. Before thinning, dbh of the trees and their thickest branches were significantly higher in the stands with 3.0 m spacing. After thinning, the dbh and the diameter of the thickest branch did not significantly differ between the 3.0 m spacing with thinning from above and 2.0 and 2.5 m spacing with thinning from below. Spacing did not significantly influence the presence or size of spike knots. The results suggest that a combination of wide spacing with thinning from above may yield timber of similar quality to denser spacing with thinning from below.
Screening for High-Temperature Tolerant Cotton Cultivars by Testing In Vitro Pollen Germination, Pollen Tube Growth and Boll Retention

With radical global climate change and global warming, high temperature stress has become one of major factors exerting a major influence on crop production. In the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas of China, especially in the Yangtze River valley, unexpected periodic episodes of extreme heat stress usually occur in July and August, the peak time of cotton flowering and boll loading, resulting in lower boll set and lint yield. Breeding programs for screening high temperature-tolerant cotton germplasm and cultivars are urgent in order to stabilize yield in the current and future warmer weather conditions. In the present study, 14 cotton cultivars were quantified for in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in response to temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 °C at 5 °C intervals. Different cotton genotypes varied in their in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length responses to the different temperatures. Maximum pollen germination and pollen tube length ranged from 25.2% to 56.2% and from 414 to 682 μm, respectively. The average cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax) also varied among the 14 cultivars and were 11.8, 27.3, and 42.7 °C for pollen germination and 11.8, 27.8, and 44.1 °C for maximum pollen tube length. Variations in boll retention and boll numbers per plant in field experiments were found for the 14 cotton cultivars and the boll retention and boll retained per plant on 20 August varied considerably in different years according to weather conditions. Boll retention on 20 August was highly correlated with maximum pollen germination (R2= 0.84) and pollen tube length (R2=0.64). A screening method based on principle component analysis of the combination of pollen characteristics in an in vitro experiment and boll retention testing in the field environment was used in the present study and, as a result, the 14 cotton cultivars could be classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible and susceptible to high temperature. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao)
Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Maillard Reaction Products from Porcine Plasma Protein Hydrolysate-Galactose Model System

Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were prepared from porcine plasma protein hydrolysate (PPPH) and galactose model system, as a function of heating time. The pH value, absorbance at 294 and 420nm, ﬂuorescence intensity, free amino group content, as well as reducing power, ABTS•+ scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity were determined. The results showed that, as heating time increased, the pH value and free amino group content of the sugar-PPPH conjugates were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); absorbance at 294 nm, browning products (A420 nm) and ﬂuorescence intensity were significantly increased (P < 0.05); and the antioxidant activity of MRPs were significantly increased (P < 0.05) which indicated by reducing power, ABTS•+ scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. In general, antioxidative activity of MRPs was coincidental with the browning development and the formation of intermediate products. MRPs from PPPH-galactose model system could be a potent antioxidant in food industry, which with a strong antioxidant activity, for scavenging free radicals and delaying deterioration due to oxidation.
Micro‐geographical scale variation in Drosophila melanogaster larval olfactory behaviour is associated with host fruit heterogeneity

Organisms utilize environmental cues to deal with heterogeneous environments. In this sense, behaviours that mediate interactions between organisms and their environment are complex traits, especially sensitive to environmental conditions. In animals, olfaction is a critical sensory system that allows them to acquire chemical information from the environment. The genetic basis and physiological mechanisms of the olfactory system of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are well known, but the effects of ecological factors on the olfactory system have received less attention. In this study, we analysed the effect of environmental heterogeneity (different host fruits) on variation in larval olfactory behaviour in a natural population of D. melanogaster. We generated half‐sib lines of D. melanogaster derived from two nearby fruit plantations, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) (‘grape’) and Prunus persica L. (Rosaceae) (‘peach’), and measured, using a simple behavioural assay, larval olfactory response to natural olfactory stimuli. Results indicate that patterns of variation for this trait depend on host fruit plantation where lines were collected. In fact, only lines derived from ‘grape’ showed phenotypic plasticity for larval olfaction, whereas a genotype*environment interaction was detected solely in lines derived from ‘peach’. Therefore, our results demonstrate the existence of genetic differences in D. melanogaster larval olfactory behaviour at a micro‐geographical scale and also reveal that the trait studied presents a dynamic genetic architecture which is strongly influenced by the environment.
The tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae): its status, biology, ecology and management in tea plantations

Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae) or the tea mosquito bug (TMB) is a major sucking pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in most tea-producing countries. The nymphs and adults of the TMB suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses. The damage to tea plants caused by the TMB is not limited to the sucking of plant materials and extra-oral digestion by salivation. Damage is also caused by the insertion of eggs into plant tissues during oviposition. More than a dozen alternate host plants and only a few natural enemies of the TMB have been recorded. For control of this pest, synthetic pesticides are widely used. There are many reports regarding the excessive application of insecticides that has resulted in the development of high tolerance and even resistance in this pest to certain insecticides. This review collates the most important works conducted on the bio-ecology of the TMB and includes a discussion of the problems encountered in the management of this pest. The scope of future studies and the plans for better management of this serious sucking pest of the tea plant are also discussed.
Assessing Invertebrate Responses to Human Activities: Evaluating Alternative Approaches

The goal of biological monitoring is to evaluate the effect of human activities on biological resources. In this study, we linked human activities across landscapes to specific changes in assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in streams that drain those landscapes. We used data from 2nd- to 4th-order streams in southwestern Oregon to test approximately 30 hypotheses about how macroinvertebrates respond to several common human actions, especially logging and associated road construction. We found 10 attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblages to be reliable indicators of disturbance. Data from a subsequent year confirmed those results. We used simple graphical methods to evaluate land-use data and to relate the data to observed responses of invertebrates. We constructed a multimetric index (benthic index of biological integrity, or B-IBI) from component metrics that distinguished disturbed stream sites from minimally disturbed sites. Using an independent data set, we found that B-IBI scores were significantly lower for streams whose watersheds were more degraded by human activities. We also tested rapid bioassessment protocol (RBP) III as modified by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. RBP III failed to detect differences among sites that B-IBI did detect Because biologists continue to debate the relative merits of a multimetric vs. a multivariate approach for interpreting biomonitoring data, we also used principal components analysis (PCA) to explore patterns in our multidimensional data. We chose PCA based on species abundance because it has been the most common technique used by state and federal agency biologists to interpret biomonitoring data. PCA failed to detect clear differences in our data set (e.g., between most and least disturbed sites). We suggest that multivariate statistical analyses are most appropriate for exploratory analysis when the investigator has limited knowledge of an ecological system and wants to generate testable hypotheses. We demonstrate that sufficient information about the natural history of stream invertebrates is available to support more direct tests of how invertebrates respond to human disturbance. The components of a good multimetric index are founded on tested hypotheses and thus provide a sound scientific assessment of a stream site. We argue that a method that incorporates ecological information is more suitable for biomonitoring than one relying on statistical algorithms.
Impactos potenciais das mudanças propostas no Código Florestal Brasileiro sobre os répteis brasileiros

We evaluate the potential impacts on Brazilian reptiles (721 species already described), if the proposed changes in the Brazilian Forest Code are approved. The possibility of environmental compensation (a legal obligation in case of disturbance of natural habitats) in basins or micro basins different from that in which the disturbance occurred would have harmful effects on reptile diversity. Some reptile genera include species that rarely co-occur in space. Thus, conservation action planning based on naturally smaller scales, such as micro basins, is most suitable to maintain species composition across large regions. The proposed changes also include the removal of mountaintops as Areas of Permanent Preservation (APP, areas which must be permanently protected, despite the fact that they are not part of a park), as well as a reduction in the width of gallery forests and protected riparian habitats (which are APPs). Many Brazilian reptiles are restricted to high elevation areas, whereas others dwell only or mostly in gallery forests and riparian areas. Thus, the habitat loss that would result from these two changes could make some reptiles vulnerable to extinction. The proposed changes also include allowing the restoration of the Legal Reserves (LR, the reserves of natural vegetation which landowners have to keep in private areas) using exotic plant species. There are evidences that many Brazilian reptiles are not able to persist in human-modified environments like forests composed of exotic trees. The proposed changes also allow the compensation of disturbances imposed on LR inside existing protected areas. However, existing protected areas are not sufficient for the maintenance of reptile diversity in Brazil (mainly because many species have restricted distributions). If approved, the proposed changes in the code will impose significant negative effects on the Brazilian reptile fauna, an important component of the country's natural heritage. Furthermore, unknown molecules with potential for pharmaceutical use could also be lost.
Variability in the life history of the water strider Gerris lacustris (Heteroptera: Gerridae) across small spatial scales

Abstract. 1. Variability in life‐history traits of the common pond skater Gerris lacustris (L.) (Heteroptera: Gerridae) was investigated on a small geographical scale in Bavaria, Germany (≈ 49 °N). In an area of approximately 3.5 × 3.0 km, voltinism and wing length data of G. lacustris were recorded from 65 ponds located either in an open field or surrounded by forest.
Structural organization and histochemistry of the epithelia of the lips and associated structures of a common Indian carp, Cirrhina mrigala

In the carp Cirrhina mrigala, the epithelia of the lips and associated structures show significant modifications in relation to the feeding behaviour of the fish and the nature of food that it consumes. The superficial layer of epithelial cells, modified to form characteristic unculi on the ventral side of the upper lip and a conspicuous epithelial cone on the apical side of the horny lower jaw sheath, is keratinized. These specialized structures help the fish to scrape the substrate, serve as a cutting edge, and assist the fish to grasp the food. The epithelia on the dorsal side of the upper lip, the rostral cap, the lower lip, and the folds of skin between the upper lip and the rostral cap and between the lower lip and skin on the ventral side of the head are unkeratinized. The mucous secretions on the surface in these regions serve primarily to protect in various ways. In addition, lubrication provided by mucous secretions in the folds of skin reduces friction during protrusion of the jaws, enabling th.
Generation of phenotypically normal marker-free transgenic plants of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana through hairy root induction

Multi-Auto-Transformation (MAT) vector system consists of positive selection, using the ipt or rol gene, with a site-specific recombination and DNA removal system, that generates morphologically normal marker-free transgenic plants without antibiotic selective-agent. This study describes rol-type MAT vector (pMAT101) containing lacZ gene as a model gene and the removable cassette with gus gene in the T-DNA region which was used to produce morphologically normal transgenic Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln. employing rol gene as the selectable marker gene and gus gene as a reporter gene. Leaf explants inoculated with pMAT101 produced hairy roots with GUS expression on agar-solidified, half-strength MS medium without both plant growth regulators and selective agent under dark condition. These hairy roots produced shoots with Ri syndrome such as dwarfism, wrinkled leaves, and an over abundance of roots as a consequence of the morphogenic action of rol gene. They eventually produced morphologically normal shoots without GUS expression on the same fresh MS medium under 16h photoperiod. Molecular analysis of DNA from the hairy roots, shoots with Ri syndrome and morphologically normal shoots revealed that the normal shoots had only lacZ gene, and the removable cassette consisting of rol, R (recombinase) and gus genes was excised. This study indicates that the rol-type MAT vector could be used for the production of morphologically normal marker-free transgenic K. blossfeldiana plants without using selective chemical agents.
An assessment of otoliths, dorsal spines and scales to age the long‐finned gurnard, Lepidotrigla argus, Ogilby, 1910 (Family: Triglidae)

Summary Sagittal otoliths, dorsal spines and scales were critically assessed as structures to potentially determine the age of the long-finned gurnard, Lepidotrigla argus. Counts were made of opaque growth increments and a readability score was assigned to each structure. Comparisons of growth increment counts were made between structures and between readings. All three structures showed some degree of readability and quantifiable growth increments, but this varied within fishes and between structures. Initial results showed that whole otoliths were more suitable to determine age estimates than dorsal spines and scales. Scales were considered unsuitable due to between reading ageing bias, variation in age estimates between structures, low precision and poor readability for this species. Dorsal spines showed evidence of loss of growth increments due to hollowing of the vascular core, which resulted in underestimation of older individuals in comparison to whole otoliths. Further analysis showed that growth increment counts from whole otoliths were lower for older individuals in comparison to sectioned otoliths. It is suggested that this is because of decreased clarity of growth increments towards the outer margin of whole otoliths in older individuals; this problem was not present with sectioned otoliths. It was concluded that sectioned otoliths were a more suitable structure from which to estimate age of L. argus than were whole otoliths, dorsal spines and/or scales.
Eficiência de diferentes ramais de pulverização e volumes de calda no controle de Brevipalpus phoenicis na cultura do café

O acaro Brevipalpus phoenicis e encontrado nos cafezais do Brasil desde a decada de 50. Responsavel por perdas indiretas por ser o vetor de uma doenca virotica requer constantes medidas de controle, sendo a mais utilizada baseada na pulverizacao de acaricidas. Avaliou-se a mortalidade do acaro B. phoenicis em funcao da cobertura de calda aplicada em plantas de cafe, com dois tipos de ramais utilizados em pulverizadores de jato transportado e quatro volumes de aplicacao. O produto utilizado para o trabalho foi o acaricida abamectina (Vertimec 18 CE® na dose de 0,4 L/ha). Os tratamentos utilizados foram a aplicacao do acaricida abamectina, nos volumes de 250, 400, 550 e 700 L/ha, com dois tipos de ramais de bicos. Em cada tratamento foram avaliadas a eficiencia de controle de B. phoenicis, a deposicao e a cobertura da calda nas plantas de cafe. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com oito tratamentos mais uma testemunha e quatro repeticoes. A analise estatistica foi realizada no esquema fatorial 2x4+1. Verificou-se que nao houve diferencas significativas no numero de acaros encontrados entre os tratamentos. Para a deposicao de calda, observou-se um aumento em funcao do volume de aplicacao, sendo que a parte superior das plantas apresentou maior deposicao de produto. A duplicacao dos ramais resultou em um aumento significativo da eficiencia de controle de B. phoenicis comparado ao ramal convencional e a testemunha, independe do volume de aplicacao entre os limites avaliados.
Review of the genus Holochlora Stål (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae) from China

Species of the genus Holochlora Stal, 1873 (type species Holochlora venosa Stal, 1873) from China are reviewed with necessary illustrations. Four species, which are new to science, are described: Holochlora cephalica sp. n. , H. allovenosa sp. n. , H. minor sp. n. , and H. unciformis sp. n. The females of H. fruhstoferi Carl, 1914 and H. venusta Carl, 1914 and the male of H. lancangensis Liu et al., 1991 are described for the first time. Holochlora semirotunda Xia & Liu, 1990 is synonymized with Holochlora nigrotympana Ingrisch, 1990. Holochlora is identified at species level through the separate keys to male and female of twelve species from China. Distribution map of species of Holochlora from China is provided. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of temperature on the transmission of Potato mop‐top virus from seed tuber and by its vector, Spongospora subterranea

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) causes disease in both the growing plant and tubers (spraing) of potato and is transmitted by the plasmodiophorid Spongospora subterranea, the cause of powdery scab. The effect of temperature during plant growth on the transmission of PMTV from infected seed tubers and from infested growing media was investigated in a series of glasshouse experiments. Symptoms developed on foliage of plants derived from infected seed tubers but none developed when PMTV was transmitted by S. subterranea in soil. The incidence of foliar symptoms was greatest on plants grown at 12°C, less at 16°C, few at 20°C and absent at 24°C. The transmission of PMTV from infected seed tubers was not significantly affected by temperatures between 12 and 24°C, but when the virus was transmitted by S. subterranea, minimal tuber infection occurred at 24°C and no differences were recorded at temperatures between 12 and 20°C. The incidence of powdery scab on tubers was greatest at 12 and 16°C and very low at 20 and 24°C. However, the incidence and severity of root galling caused by S. subterranea, was greatest at 20 and very low at 24°C. The incidence of powdery scab was greater on tubers of plants derived from infected seed tubers grown in a fluctuating temperature regime of 12 h at 20°C followed by 24 h at 12°C than on those grown at a constant 20°C, whereas the incidence of tuber infection by PMTV and spraing was similar for both regimes. This demonstrates that infection of roots can occur at a higher temperature than that for powdery scab on tubers and that this root infection can enable the transmission of PMTV into the potato plant.
Tumor Promotion and/or Enhancement Models

Address correspondence to Dr. Thomas J. Slaga, AMC Cancer Research Center, 1600 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214, USA. It is well known that carcinogenesis is a multistep and multifactorial phenomenon. The multistep and multifactorial nature of tumor development is best exemplified by the processes of cocarcinogenesis and tumor promotion. With the experimental design of Berenblum (1941), which employs a two-step procedure for the treatment of mouse skin, a very useful animal model became available to study the multistep nature of carcinogenesis. Friedewald and Rous (1944) were among the first investigators to analyze the process, and they defined the concepts of tumor initiation and promotion and cocarcinogenesis in operational terms. For much of the time during which initiation-promotion studies in mouse skin were being pursued by Shubik, Boutwell, Hecker, as well as many others (Slaga 1984), there was little experimental evidence, other than hormone-dependent tumors, that similar processes occurred at other organ sites. However, during the past 30 years or so, these sequential events were found to occur in liver, bladder, breast, cheek pouch, esophagus, colon, stomach, and lung. These other systems give strong support for the generality of the sequential nature of biological events in carcinogenesis, especially in those models in which tumors were induced
Imaturos de Simuliidae (Diptera, Nematocera) e caracterização de seus criadouros no Parque Estadual Intervales, SP, Brasil

Larvae and pupae of Simuliidae species living in Parque Estadual Intervales streams were collected in two periods (August/2001 and February/2002) in six streams of the Rio Ribeira basin segment inside the biological reserve. Thirteen species were identified. S. nogueirai and S. subclavibranchium were the most frequent and abundant species. The Simuliidae abundance was higher in the wet season (February/2002) and in organic substrates (leaves, woods, stems).