Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Host plant effects on the performance of the aphid Aulacorthum solani (Kalt.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) at ambient and elevated CO2

In future elevated CO2 environments, chewing insects are likely to perform less well than at present because of the effects of increased carbon fixation on their host plants. When the aphid, Aulacorthum solani was reared on bean (Vicia faba) and tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) plants under ambient and elevated CO2, performance was enhanced on both hosts at elevated CO2. The nature of the response was different on each plant species suggesting that feeding strategy may influence an insect’s response to elevated CO2. On bean, the daily rate of production of nymphs was increased by 16% but there was no difference in development time, whereas on tansy, development time was 10% shorter at elevated CO2 but the rate of production of nymphs was not affected. The same aphid clone therefore responded differently to elevated CO2 on different host plants. This increase in aphid performance could lead to larger populations of aphids in a future elevated CO2 environment.
Effect of soybean oil emulsified and unemulsified with chicken plasma protein on the physicochemical properties of frankfurters

The effects of reduced pork back-fat levels from 30% to 20%, 15%, and 10% with the addition of chicken plasma protein (CPP) as a powder additive or as an emulsifier in pre-emulsified soybean oil (SO) on the physicochemical properties, texture, and microstructure of frankfurters were investigated. Reduced-fat frankfurters containing CPP had low energy contents and apparent viscosity and showed good emulsion stability in comparison with the control with 30% fat. With increasing substitution of pork back-fat, frankfurters containing CPP showed high protein and ash contents, became yellow and light in color, had increased weight loss by pressing, had high springiness and cohesiveness, and presented low hardness. Utilizing CPP as a stabilizer in pre-emulsified SO was beneficial for water-holding capacity, texture profile analysis, emulsion stability, and apparent viscosity, as well as gave a homogeneous distribution of fat globules in frankfurters, in comparison with adding CPP as a powder additive.
Origem e distribuição do nervo femoral do mocó, Kerodon rupestris (Cavidae)

Rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris Wied, 1820), a rodent mammal from the Cavidae family is highly adapted to conditions of heat and shortage of water and food, mainly in the periods of great drought that periodically devastate the semi-arid of Northeast Brazil. In the literature, few data are found regarding the functional anatomy of the rock cavy, especially involving the anatomy of the nervous system. We aimed to investigate the origin of the femoral nerve close to the intervertebral foramina, its location and distribution for the musculature of the legs, to verify its importance to support further studies for wild animal clinics, and to contribute for the comparative neuro-anatomy. Ten adult rock cavies of different ages were used (4 males and 6 females), that had died in the Wild Animal Multiplication Center (Cemas) of the Rural Federal University of the Semi-Arid, Mossoro. After the fixation in aqueous solution of 10% formalin, the dissection of the abdominal cavity of the animals was accomplished for complete visualization of the femoral nerve. Variations were verified in the number of lumbar vertebrae, as seven animals (70%) had seven lumbar vertebrae, and three (30%) only six, altering the origin of the nerve. On the right side, in four animals (40%) the femoral nerve originated from ventral branches of L5 to L6, four (40%) from L5 to L7, and in two (20%) from L4 to L6. On the left side, in five animals (50%) the femoral nerve originated from the ventral branches of L5 to L6, in three (30%) from L5 to L7, and two (20%) also from L4 to L6.
Mating pattern and hatching success in a population of the Andean frog Hyla labialis

To identify behavioural mechanisms and determine their influence on the mating pattern in a population of Hyla labialis, we integrated sampling results from the field with results from manipulated laboratory observations. We found no support for a large-male mating advantage based on male-male competition in shaping mating pattern. Members of naturally occurring mated pairs had body sizes representative of the entire population, and revealed a size-assortative mating pattern. This trend also appeared in the laboratory, when a gravid female had the opportunity to choose among two males of different body sizes. Larger females laid larger egg clutches, but larger males did not fertilise more eggs. However, the clutches of females clasped by proportionately larger males led to a higher percentage of hatchlings, suggesting that size-assortative mating improves fertilisation rate through cloacal apposition during spawning. Despite a significant negative correlation between male body size and dominant frequency of the advertisement calls, providing acoustic cues for females to discriminate among males, it seems that female mate choice leading to size-assortative mating is based only partially on call characteristics.
Scale‐dependent effects of grazing and topographic heterogeneity on plant species richness in a Dutch salt marsh ecosystem

QuestionFor over three decades, low-intensity grazing has been used to maintain or increase plant species richness in European natural areas, but the effects are highly variable. Thus far, good predictors of whether grazing will have positive effects on plant species richness are limited. How does the interplay between low-intensity grazing and topographic heterogeneity affect plant species richness at different spatial scales? LocationLong-term grazed and ungrazed salt marshes of the Dutch Wadden Sea island of Schiermonnikoog. MethodsWe selected ten plots of 2200m(2) in grazed and ungrazed areas of our study sites, and recorded and compared plant species richness in 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000m(2) subplots. Topographic heterogeneity was quantified at the plot scale using the standard deviation of the elevation derived from a high-resolution (5mx5m) digital elevation model. We calculated species-area relationships to analyse our data. ResultsWe found that large-scale topographic heterogeneity (based on the whole plot of 2200m(2)) positively affects plant species richness at all scales (even at the smallest 0.1-m(2) scale), and that grazing has a positive additive effect at the small scales (0.1 and 10m(2)). While grazing also had a positive effect on species richness at larger scales (1000m(2)), the strength of the effect was dependent on the topographic heterogeneity at that scale. The effectiveness of grazing for increased plant species richness was highest at low topographic heterogeneity, and lowest at intermediate topographic heterogeneity. Effects of intermediate heterogeneity were probably counterbalanced by the effects of grazing. ConclusionsOur results suggest that the variation in elevation is an important predictor of whether low-intensity grazing has positive effects on plant species richness or not. Grazing appears most beneficial at low topographic heterogeneity, but whether these findings hold for other grazed ecosystems will depend on several factors, most importantly, the relationship between topographic and abiotic heterogeneity. Results of our study are highly relevant for the application of low-intensity grazing as tool for conservation management in salt marshes and other natural areas.
Capture of mass‐reared vs. wild‐like males of Ceratitis capitata (Dipt., Tephritidae) in trimedlure‐baited traps

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used to suppress or eradicate infestations of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.), an insect whose broad polyphagy poses a serious threat to fruit and vegetable crops. The SIT involves the production, sterilization and release of sterile insects to obtain sterile male by wild female matings, thus yielding infertile eggs. Mass‐rearing over many generations is known to produce dramatic changes in the behaviour and life history of C. capitata. This study investigated the possibility that mass‐rearing also alters male response to trimedlure, a sex‐specific attractant widely used in detection and monitoring programmes. We compared captures of released males from a mass‐reared strain and a recently established colony of wild flies in trimedlure‐baited Jackson traps at three spatial scales – open field, large field enclosures (75 m2) and small field cages (7 m2) – in two separate years. In the first year, males were used independently of flight ability, while in the second year only males with demonstrated flight capability were used. Trap capture was scored 2 days after release for the open field and the large field enclosures but either 1 h or 1 day after release in the small field cages. The findings were consistent across these different experiments: wild‐like males were captured in significantly greater numbers than mass‐reared males in both years of study, except in the trials lasting 1 day in the small field cages where significantly more wild than mass‐reared males were captured in 1 year but not the other. These results are compared with other studies, and their implications for SIT are discussed.
Response of fire ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis invicta and S.gerninata) to artificial nectars with amino acids

Abstract. 1 The role that amino acids in extrafloral nectars play in attracting ants to plants was investigated. Workers from laboratory colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren and S.geminafa (F). (Formicidae) fed from artificial nectaries containing mimics of the extrafloral nectar of Passiflora menispermifoh and P.caerulea; P.menispermifoh nectar contains higher levels of amino acids (1347.3 pdml) than does the nectar of P.currulea (125.2 μm/ml). 2 When sugar‐only and sugar—amino acid nectar mimics were presented simultaneously, more S.invicta workers were counted at sugar—amino acid nectar mimics than at sugar‐only nectars. S.geminatu did not discriminate between the two nectars. 3 When the two Pamiflora L. nectar mimics were presented simultaneously, S.invicta and S.geminata workers were more abundant at the nectaries containing high levels of amino acids (P.menispermifolia HBK mimic) than at the nectaries containing low levels of amino acids (P.cuerulea L. mimic). 4 The behaviour shown by S.invicta and S.gerninata suggests that plants with high levels of amino acids in their extrafloral nectars attract more ant protectors and might suffer less herbivory than plants producing nectars with low levels of amino acids. If so, ants may favour, over evolutionary time, plants that produce nectars with high levels of amino acids. 5 Day‐to‐day variability in ant behaviour was considerable even among laboratory colonies maintained on the same diet in similar environmental conditions. This variability will reduce the selective impact that ants have on plants and may help to explain why most ant‐plant interactions are facultative.
Annotated Catalog and Atlas of Kentucky Woody Plants

ABSTRACT Kentucky (U.S.A.), occupies a topographically and geologically varied region of North America between the southern Appalachians and the Mississippi River. This Annotated Catalog and Atlas was generated from a survey of all known native and naturalized woody plants in Kentucky, and includes 417 taxa arranged alphabetically by family and species. Included for each taxon is a distribution map based on annotated voucher specimens. During the course of this survey 40,000 specimens were examined and annotated. Of the 417 taxa known for the State, 102, or 24%, are non-native. Seven taxa are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Acer campestre L. , Crataegus collina Chapman, Lonicera dioica L. var. dasycarpa (Rehd.) Gleason, Lonicera ×xylosteoides Tauscher, Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M.J. Roemer, Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees, and Taxus baccata L.
Influence of plant age, water stress, larval damage, and presence of conspecific eggs on oviposition by Heliothis virescens (F.) on cotton

The influence of plant age, water stress, and damage on the ovipositional response of Heliothis virescens (F.) to cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , was tested in field cages. Further, the impact of presence of conspecific eggs on oviposition by H. virescens was tested in laboratory cages. Females laid more eggs on smaller, younger, and more pubescent leaves than older, larger leaves. The presence of conspecific eggs on these leaves appeared to elicit further oviposition as indicated by significant correlation between increase in egg density and the initial egg density. There was a significant negative correlation (r = −0.92) between oviposition and leaf moisture but a strong positive correlation (r = 0.98) between oviposition and pubescence among leaf classes. Nitrogen content did not vary significantly among leaf classes and did not show any correlation with egg density. Adult females were able to discriminate between damaged and undamaged plants, the latter receiving significantly higher numbers of eggs. Eight week‐old potted cotton plants appeared to be more acceptable to moths than younger and older plants. Oviposition on cotton plants subjected to suspension of water for up to 7 days did not vary significantly. Based on data presented, it appears that other factors, e.g., hairiness, may override leaf moisture content in affecting oviposition by H. virescens.
Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)

لجم ة ةيلود كحم ةيملع ةسرهفمو ةم يعماجلا زكرملا تاروشنم غنماتل تس – رئازجلا • ليلحت تاكبشلا ةيعامتجلاا هتاقيبطتو يف طبضلا يرادلإا ضرمل سوريف ديفوك 91 • ريبادت طبضلا يرادلإا يزكرملا يف ةهجاوم ةحئاج انوروك يف رئازجلا • ةدعاق فرصت ماملإا ىلع ةيعرلا طونم ةحلصملاب نمز رجحلا يحصلا – ديفوك 91 • تاجلاعم ةيداصتقا ةيملاسإ يف تامزلأا حئاوجلاو • ةيمهأ ميلعتلا نع دعب يف لظ يشفت سوريف انوروك
Influence of Feed Particle Size on the Efficiency of Broiler Chickens Fed Wheat-Based Diets

In this study, we examined production efficiency in broiler chickens fed diets based on three wheat cultivars (Equinox, Regency and Claire) that resulted in different particle spectra (P 0.05) influenced by the treatments. The mean transit time also did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between diets, but the diet with the higher (P<0.05) relative proportion of coarser particles and giving greatest (P<0.05) reduction in the number of larger particles following digestion, resulted in the best (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. The present data suggest that coarse feed particle size is advantageous in terms of feed efficiency in broilers fed wheat-based diets.
Boosted Credit Ratings in China: The Effects of Credit Enhancement on Bond Pricing

More than 25% of credit bonds in China received improved issuance ratings, among which 96.6% used credit enhancement. We find that credit enhancement can effectively lower credit spreads, which still holds after a battery of robustness tests. We employ the propensity score matching method, the instrumental variable approach, and firm–year fixed effects to address endogeneity. The risk reduction and loss sharing mechanisms are identified empirically; the information production and liquidity improvement channels are excluded. Our results suggest that credit enhancement usage provides a market solution for low-rated firms to issue high-rated bonds and lower the cost of debt financing.
Cultivating Value Co-Creation in Health System Research Comment on "Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to Re-imagine Research"

Partnerships have various purposes and exist in many configurations. Although there has been a refocusing in health system research on forming strategic partnerships between researchers and knowledge users (KUs) to maximise the relevance and uptake of research in practice; research knowledge frequently fails to reach KUs nor impact the community served. Whilst there have been many attempts to engage KUs, researchers and decision-makers often promote a top down approach that has lacked insight into KUs’ specific needs and values. Bowen and colleagues uncovered a plethora of negative experiences from a group of Canadian health leaders involved in researcher partnerships. Their comments reflect their experiences seemingly at an earlier stage of a partnership so we were not surprised by their pessimism. However, our experience reflects an established research-health service partnership network where we collaborate and co-create for mutual benefit and with a shared purpose. The reason for its sustained success over several decades is the focus on co-creation of value between stakeholders. Reimagining must prioritise a paradigm shift towards value co-creation if partnerships are to create opportunities for innovation, productivity and impact.
Integrating marker assisted background analysis with foreground selection for identification of superior bacterial blight resistant recombinants in Basmati rice

Basmati rice is highly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Transfer of BB resistance genes from non-Basmati sources to Basmati through cross-hybridization requires strict monitoring for recovery of the desirable Basmati quality traits in the recombinants, which show complex inheritance pattern. We integrated background analysis using mapped microsatellite markers with foreground selection to identify superior lines that combine useful genes from a non-Basmati BB resistance donor line IRBB55 with grain and cooking quality characteristics of the popular Basmati rice variety 'Pusa Basmati I' (PB 1) employing backcross pedigree strategy. Foreground selection using linked markers ensured presence of two genes, xal3 and Xa21 for BB resistance from IRBB55, and the recurrent parent PB 1 allele for the waxy locus giving intermediate amylose content and maintainer allele at fertility restorer locus in the BC 1 F 5 recombinants. Background analysis enabled selection of recombinants with recurrent parent genome to the extent of 86.3% along with the quality traits. The extent of introgression of non-Basmati donor chromosome segments in the superior selections was estimated to be < 7.8 Mb and <6.7 Mb in the xal3 and Xa21 linked genomic regions, respectively. Association mapping identified three quantitative trait loci, one each for 1000-grain weight, fertile grains/ panicle and cooked kernel length. The backcross-pedigree breeding strategy facilitated recovery of additional desirable characteristics from the donor in some of the selections. The elite selection Pusa 1460-01-32-6-7-67 with maximum genomic background and quality characteristics of the recurrent Basmati parent gave resistance reaction against BB, similar to that of the non-Basmati resistant check variety and recorded an yield advantage of 11.9% over the best check in the multiplication agronomic trial in the Basmati growing region of India. This line, which has been released as a new variety in the name of 'Improved Pusa Basmati 1' for commercial cultivation in India, is an example of successful application of marker assisted selection to variety development.
Historical Changes in Grain Yield and Photosynthetic Rate of Rice Cultivars Released in the 20th Century in Tohoku Region

Abstract A retrospective analysis of the physiological basis of genetic yield improvement should provide us a direction for future yield improvement. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the change in yield in leading rice cultivars that were bred and grown in the Tohoku region in the 20th century, and to find whether apparent photosynthetic rate (AP) is associated with the yield improvement. Ten leading rice cultivars were grown at low- and high-nitrogen conditions, Low-N and High-N, respectively, and three environmental conditions (two years in Sendai and one year in Kashimadai). Yields were higher under High-N than under Low-N in all the cultivars tested, and yield increase was greater in the newly bred cultivars released after 1960s (new cultivars) than in those released before 1960 (old cultivars). The genotypic improvement in yield under High-N was progressive year by year in the old cultivars whereas it was stagnated in the new cultivars. The cultivar difference in AP of the flag leaf one week after heading was small, but that three weeks after heading was larger in new cultivars than in old cultivars except for a few cultivars. A dependence of AP on leaf nitrogen concentration three weeks after heading was evident in the plants grown under High-N. The number of spikelets increased under High-N in all ten cultivars, where the percentage of ripened grains was lower in the old cultivars than in the new cultivars. These results suggest that yield improvement of rice cultivars in the 20th century in the Tohoku region has been accompanied by a greater AP during the ripening stage that might lead to a greater grain filling percentage.
HEAT SENSITIVITY, OPTIMUM pH AND CHANGES IN ACTIVITY OF SORGHUM PEROXIDASE DURING MALTING AND MASHING

Peroxidase activity was demonstrated in dry and germinating sorghum seeds. The specific activity increased about 14-fold during malting for a 96-hour period. On the average about 41% of peroxidase activity was located in the endosperm, and the remaining 56% in the acrospire and rootlet of sorghum malt. The crude enzyme extract retained 77%, 17.5% and 7.6% of activity after heating at 60°, 70° and 80°C, respectively. More than 50% of the peroxidase activity in the finished malt survived mashing at 65°C. Optimum activity was recorded at pH 5.5 which falls within the observed pH range of sorghum worts. The level of residual peroxidase activity in the wort differed with sorghum species.
Effects of bot fly (Alouattamyia baeri) parasitism on a free‐ranging howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) population in Panama

To evaluate effects of persistent bot fly (Alouattamyia baeri) parasitism on a host population of Panamanian howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), a 68-month study was carried out which included: (i) examination of the parasite's life cycle; (ii) monthly estimates of prevalence and mean intensity; (iii) monitoring of howler mortality; (iv) censuses of howler monkey troops; and (v) analysis of blood samples from infected and uninfected monkeys. A complete life cycle of A. baeri takes approximately 13 weeks; larvae remain in howlers for approximately six weeks, passing through three instars. Overall prevalence of infection was 60%, overall mean intensity 2.8±0.04. No difference in prevalence or mean intensity was found between adult males and females. As a class, juveniles had a significantly higher prevalence and a significantly lower mean intensity than adults; the adult and juvenile classes both showed a significantly higher prevalence and mean intensity than the infant class. Such differences may relate to characteristics of younger age classes rather than host selectivity on the part of the parasite. Although larvae were observed in the howler population throughout the year, relative density fluctuated from month to month, showing from one to three significant peaks per year. Larvae were most abundant during the mid-to-late rainy season (Aug.-Nov.). Relative density was strongly correlated with howler mortality. Several hematological parameters including serum albumin levels and albumin/globulin ratio were significantly lower in individuals with heavy larval burdens. No endoparasites or diseases were found in blood samples. I conclude that the annual pattern of howler mortality results from a synergistic effect between the age, physical condition, and fat reserves of parasitized individuals, the size of the larval burden, and increasing dietary stress as the rainy season progresses. The lack of growth in this closed primate population over >20 years apparently results, in large part, from primary and secondary effects of bot fly parasitism.