Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais adults to wheat from integrated and alternative production systems

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the production systems of wheat from different production systems on the mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The factors tested were production system (integrated [INT], organic [ORG], biodynamic [BD] and control), which differed in plant protection and fertiliser procedures during plant growth and development; exposure interval (7, 14 and 21 d); relative humidity (r.h.) (55% and 75%) and temperature (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Mortality after 7 d increased with the temperature increase and decreased with the increase in r.h. in most of the tested combinations. The mortality of weevils was higher in ORG compared to INT-produced wheat after 7 d. Progeny production was recorded 56 d after removal of parental adults and was higher at 75% r.h. in comparison to 55% r.h. At 55% r.h. and 20°C, progeny was 60.8% higher when S. zeamais were exposed to ORG in comparison to INT-produced wheat. Wheat from different production systems influenced mortality rates which were higher in alternative compared to INT production systems under optimal conditions for wheat storage (low temperature and r.h.). The reverse was recorded for temperature and r.h. increase. Progeny was not affected by wheat from various production systems. Significantly more S. zeamais adults were found in traps containing wheat from BD and control in comparison to INT. An understanding of the agricultural processes, biotic and abiotic factors which alter the post-harvest response of storage pests could be useful for the development of efficient post-harvest strategies for ORG and BD farms and the processing industry.
Donor directed cytotoxicity of cardiac graft infiltrating cells during cytomegalovirus infection

We investigated whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection had an effect on donor directed cytotoxicity of cardiac graft infiltrating cells. The group we studied comprised 89 heart transplant recipients. Thirtyeight showed signs of CMV infection, and in 27 of them cytolytic activity of biopsy‐derived cultures could be tested during the infection. Fity‐one patients had never had CMV infection, and they were used as the control group. Eight patients had a primary, and 19 a secondary infection. We found that during CMV infection, both primary and secondary, a significantly higher proportion of the biopsy‐derived cultures showed cytotoxicity against donor antigens (P < 0.01 when compared to the control group). In secondary infections, this was only due to an increase in donor class I directed cytotoxicity, while in primary infections a significant increase of class II directed cytotoxicity was also found (P < 0.005 when compared to secondary infection).
Efficacy of insect-proof nets used in Tunisian tomato greenhouses against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and potential impact on plant growth and fruit quality

Insect-proof screens constitute efficient physical means of protecting horticultural crops against insect pests and their use has become widespread. However, they may have a negative impact on plant growth and fruit quality by modifying climatic parameters of greenhouses. In case of tomato crops, they are used mainly against white flies and the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). In Tunisia, tomato plastic tunnels are often netted following two modalities: i) complete netting of the greenhouse under the plastic screen (total netting); or ii) netting only doors and lateral aeration windows (partial netting). Weekly monitoring of T. absoluta in two tomato greenhouses with different netting setups using pheromone traps and sampling of leaves and fruits showed no differences in the levels of infestation by the pest with a maximum average values of 6.66 eggs/leaf, 4.16 larvae/leaf and 4.16 mines/leaf. The maximum infestation rate of leaves was 86.66% and that of fruits was 10.83%. No effects of the netting setup used on plant growth parameters were detected. However, the study of fruit quality parameters revealed significant decrease in sugar contents in tomato fruits when using total netting setup (4.26°Brix versus 3.68°Brix). Recommendations regarding the combined use of pheromones traps and insect-proof nets are given and possibilities to enhance the efficiency of nets as physical barrier against T. absoluta are explored.
Estudio de polimorfismos genéticos en la evolución clínica de pacientes sometidos a trasplante alogenico de progenitores hematopoyéticos

[ES]En el presente trabajo de tesis doctoral se ha analizado el valor de algunos sistemas polimorficos (sistema HLA, regiones microsatelite y polimorfismos en dos genes codificantes de moleculas de adhesion) en un grupo de pacientes receptores de un trasplante alogenico de progenitores hematopoyeticos de sangre periferica de un donante emparentado HLA identico. Igualmente se analiza la influencia del sistema HLA en el desarrollo y evolucion clinica de pacientes con mieloma multiple sometido a diferentes esquemas terapeuticos incluido el trasplante alogenico.
Foraging by Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo in Banksia woodland on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia

Abstract Human-wildlife conflicts around the loss and use of habitat are common reasons for species being listed as threatened. In order to reduce such conflicts it is important to have a clear understanding of the resource requirements of threatened species and the environmental factors that influence the availability and continued supply of those resources. The availability of Banksia cones and temporal patterns of their use by Carnaby ‘s Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), was measured bi-monthly in proteaceous woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain, south-western Australia. Availability of Banksia cones was assessed at sites that differed in soil-types, time since last fire and occurrence ofPhytophthora cinnamomi. The mean number of available cones differed significantly in relation to P. cinnamomi presence and time since last fire. This study revealed a strong association between availability of Banksia cones and their consumption by Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. Over 12 months, Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos handled approximately half of the available Banksia cones, and over three-quarters of those handled involved feeding. Banksia attenuata and B. sessilis produced the greatest number of cones, with consumption proportionate to cone availability. Understanding the patterns of availability and consumption of food resources by Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos provides critical pieces of information that will help implement more effective conservation and management to stem the decline of this species.
Linear regression model for assessing the yield loss of mustard due to Alternaria leaf blight disease

Measurement of yield loss of mustard through the correlation between seed yield, 1000 seed weight vs. disease severity and avoidable yield loss of seed yield and 1000 seed weight vs. disease severity using linear regression analysis models for two consecutive years showed that the attainable yield of mustard were 1944 kg to 1980 kg ha -1 and drop of 12.65 kg to 12.83 kg ha -1 due to every one percent unit increase in disease severity. Similarly attainable 1000 seed weight were 4.30 g to 4.34 g for both the years and a drop of 0.03 g for every one percent unit increase in disease severity. In case of avoidable yield loss and 1000 seed weight, 38.90% to 41.19% seed yield loss and 37.04% to 37.17% 1000 seed weight could be avoided with every one percent decrease in disease severity. The pooled mean equation of all the characters were y = 1963-12.78 X for seed yield, y = 4.327-0.028 X for 1000 seed weight, y = 40.10-0.682 X for avoidable seed yield loss, y = 37.17-0.71 X for avoidable 1000 seed weight which were confirmed by high co-efficient of determination (R 2 ) above 96 to 97%.
Shrub Densification Heterogeneity in Subarctic Regions: The Relative Influence of Historical and Topographic Variables

ABSTRACT Expansion of shrub species is widely reported in northern regions, although its extent varies across the landscape. In subarctic Québec (Canada), where dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa Michx) is the main species responsible for shrub expansion, little is known about the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. This study aims to identify the drivers of dwarf birch densification heterogeneity at the landscape level and to evaluate its influence on other shrub species. We used model selection with Akaike's information criterion to rank ecologically relevant models including topographic, historical and edaphic variables. The influence of dwarf birch densification was evaluated through regression analysis. We found that the best model explaining the heterogeneity in dwarf birch densification in western Nunavik includes factors related to both historical conditions (initial shrub cover, time elapsed since last wildfire) and topography (type of environment). Among these factors, only the initial shrub cover had a significant positive influence on the shrub densification. Increase in dwarf birch cover was found to negatively influence the cover of other shrub species. However, no relation was found between dwarf birch densification and other shrub species richness, suggesting that the densification did not yet lead to the exclusion of less competitive species.
An analysis of the effect of agricultural extension methods on the utilization of agricultural supports: The case of Erzurum Province in Turkey

To determine the effect of agricultural extension methods on the utilization of agricultural supports, a survey was conducted with 169 farmers in 7 counties, which were considered to represent Erzurum Province in terms of social, economic and cultural aspects. The survey data was analyzed in LIMPED software by using “crosstab” method and Logistic regression analysis. According to the results of the analysis, farmer age and education level were determined to have an effect on the utilization of agricultural supports. In addition, it was also found that extension methods had a positive effect on the utilization of supports and that the utilization of mass and individual extension methods was statistically significant. According to these results, effective use of local mass media means at announcement and introduction stage of supports to farmers was highly important. In addition, some arrangements are needed to get maximum benefit from individual extension methods for raising awareness in farmers so that they can utilize the supports to ensure the sustainability of production. Key words: Agricultural support, mass extension method, group extension method, individual extension method, Erzurum.
Notes from the East African Herbarium: XVI

S. persica is a very variable species but the variation is difficult to express in a hierarchy of names. If specimens of the species are perused from the entire range of the plant, it at once becomes obvious that nearly all those from Africa have subsessile or sessile flowers, whereas those from India have pedicellate flowers; extremes are quite marked. Variation in pedicel length is shown in the accompanying table but it is actually more marked than the figures show. Extra-African material has rather slender pedicels, even when they are short, whereas some of the African material indicated as pedicellate has thick pedicels, often only narrowings of the base of the flowers, and not true pedicels. Extremes of leaf shape and texture are marked, those with linear, round, or thick leaves being worthy of names. These varietal names are convenient, but the central problem is the probable existence of two subspecies based on pedicel length. Some of the varieties I have recognized cut across these two subspecies. I have not named these subspecies for several reasons. They are not entirely separate; long-pedicelled forms occur in Africa but no sessile forms occur in India. In Arabia and the Middle East, i.e. the type locality area, pedicel length is intermediate. A good deal more material is required. The species is also a common one, the name being used frequently by ecological workers, and it is best to keep it as short and uncomplicated as possible. If the African material were separated off as a subspecies a clumsy name would be unavoidable. It may, however, have to be done after considerably more extensive field studies. It occurred to me that long pedicels were correlated with high rainfall. In Africa Salvadora persica is essentially a dry country plant, whereas in India it often occurs where rainfall is very high, but still seasonal, but the correlation is not complete. I am compromising at the moment by giving a varietal name to the forms with conspicuous graceful pedicels which occur in India and have in the past sometimes been recognized as a distinct species.
Effects of a microbial preparation, a probiotic and commercial antibiotic on the productive performance and pigs health in post-weaning period

To measure the influence of a Stafac (Virginiamycin at 2%, 1 kg.t-1) commercial antibiotic, a ML 100 E (1kg.t-1) commercial probiotic and a (15 mL.kg LW -1) microbial preparation in the productive performance and health of post weaning pigs, an experiment by a complete randomized design, with three treatments and four repetitions was conducted. A total of 120 barrow pigs were used, from Landrace x Large White cross, with Belga x Pietrain sire at finishing stage, of 28d of age, 6.85 kg average weight and ± 0.25 kg. In pigs feed concentrates to those that the microbial preparation was added, the higher final weight and the best gain of total weight and daily (P < 0.05): 25.85 kg, 18.97 kg and 440.75 g was determined, respectively. The most efficient values, as feed conversion, protein and energy, were obtained in the treatment to which the microbial preparation 1.66 kg DM.kg LW-1, 347.35 g.kg LW-1 of CP and 22.71 MJ.kg LW-1 was added, respectively. The less digestive problems presence (number of diarrhea) was registered in the group of animals fed with concentrate plus microbial preparation, with incidence of 13.With the addition of the microbial preparation, at 15 mL.kg LW-1,it can improve the concentrates nutritional quality and obtain better productive and health parameters in post-weaning pigs, without using antibiotics. Key words: microbial preparation, commercial antibiotic, postweaning pigs, whey
Temperature Acclimation in Goldfish: Lack of Evidence for Hormonal Involvement

I N 1929 Huxley observed that if tadpoles were kept at two different temperatures those kept at the lower temperature had the higher metabolic rates when both groups were measured at the same temperature. He suggested, on the basis of histological evidence, that an increased secretion by the thyroid tissue of tadpoles kept at the low temperature and a regression of thyroid tissue in those kept at the high temperature were responsible for the observed results. Although Huxley's was an observation of the frog, it would seem to be equally applicable to other cold-blooded vertebrates, and there is some evidence that temperature does have an influence on thyroid activity in fish. However, the significance of such evidence has been obscured by the vast species differences encountered, some fish showing an inverse relationship between temperature and thyroid activity (Swift, 1959; Olivereau, 1955; Berg, Gorbman, and Kobayashi, 1959) and others, a direct relation-
Photoperiod Alters Diurnal Carbon Partitioning into Sorbitol and Other Carbohydrates in Apple

The current experiments were designed to determine the diurnal carbon partitioning among sorbitol, sucrose, and starch in mature apple (Malus domestica Borhk. cv. Gala) leaves and to determine whether photoperiod altered photosynthate partitioning among carbohydrates. Sorbitol accounted for > 80% of newly fixed 14C-labelled carbohydrate during the light period. Forty-seven percent of sorbitol that had accumulated at the end of the light period disappeared during the dark period. As photoperiod increased from 1 to 10 h, sorbitol, glucose, fructose, and starch concentrations in mature apple leaves increased, but were stable from 10 to 14 h. Sucrose concentration, on the other hand, decreased slightly as photoperiod increased. As a result, sorbitol to sucrose ratios increased from 2 in the 1-h photoperiod to 5 in the 10-h photoperiod. The relative partitioning of 14C into sorbitol increased, whereas the partitioning into sucrose, glucose, and fructose decreased as photoperiod increased from 1 to 10 h. Our results suggest that longer photoperiods favoured sorbitol over sucrose accumulation while shorter photoperiods favoured sucrose over sorbitol synthesis. The observed changes in sorbitol and sucrose concentrations with changes in photoperiod may result from different rates of synthesis and export.
Relation of suppressor activity to lymphocyte subsets, in vitro IL‐2R expression, and biopsy results in cardiac transplant patients

Nonspecific suppressor activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined from 8 patients preoperatively and 22 patients subsequent to heart transplantation. Whereas no correlation was found between any defined lymphocyte subsets, in vitro interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) production, and IL‐2R expression, or biopsy‐proven rejection and suppressor cell activity when data obtained on the same day as the suppressor assay were analysed, the phytohemagglutinin — but not the concanavalin A induced, in vitro IL‐2 production — was significantly enhanced (P < 0.02) in patients with evidence of concomitant rejection. In contrast, a significant correlation between diminished, nonspecific suppression and rejection was found when the results of biopsies performed up to 2 (P < 0.0075) and 4 (P < 0.0033) weeks after the investigation of suppressor cell activity were compared. We conclude that periodic determination of the suppressor functional status may be useful to discriminate between patients at low or high risk for graft rejection after heart transplantation.
Effect du Vibrio P1, pathogene de Ruditapes philippinarum , sur d'autres especes de bivalves

Vibrio PI, le responsable de la maladie de l'anneau brun (MAB) chez la palourde Ruditapes philippinarum, a ete observe chez d'autres especes de bivalves dont des Veneridae et des Pectinidae. En revanche chez la Moule Mytilus edulis et les huitres elevees Crassostrea gigas et Ostrea edulis, le symptome MAB n'a encore jamais ete signale et la recherche de la bacterie PI s'est revelee negative. Par ailleurs, des contaminations experimentales de bivales d'interet aquacole avec Vibrio PI ont montre une sensibilite de la palourde europeenne Ruditapes decussatus au pathogene ; cette sensibilite semble toutefois moins elevee que celle de Ruditapes philippinarum.
Distribution of demersal fishes along the US west coast (Canada to Mexico) in relation to spatial fishing closures (2003-2011)

A temporally and spatially variable Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) was established as a marine protected area along the US west coast in 2002 to protect stocks of rockfishes Sebastes spp. Since the RCA falls within the region sampled annually by the West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey, we utilized data collected from 2003 to 2011 to evaluate whether establishment of the RCA influenced catch per unit effort (CPUE), species richness, and size distribution of demersal fishes. We compared CPUE and species richness among 3 management areas (continuously closed, periodically closed, and open to commercial bottom trawling) using analysis of covariance models that account for variability due to area, year, and depth. The most appropriate models for CPUE (35 species treated individually and aggregated into 6 subgroups) and species richness were selected using Akaike’s information criterion. All of the best-fit models were highly significant (p < 0.0001), explaining 3 to 76% of the variation in catch. For 27 species and 5 subgroups, mean CPUE was significantly greater within the area continuously closed to commercial bottom trawling relative to areas periodically closed or open. The most appropriate model for richness included area and year, and mean richness was greatest in the area continuously closed to trawling. Species-specific length composition distributions were calculated from subsampled individual lengths for 31 species. Significant differences in length frequency distributions were observed, with a higher proportion (~65%) of larger fish most often present in areas continuously closed to commercial bottom trawling (20 of 31 species) relative to other areas. Our data suggest that the RCA is an effective management tool for conserving not only rockfishes, but also other demersal fish species.
Effect of foliar application of zinc, boron and iron on seed yield and quality of sweet corn cv. Madhuri

The experiment was carried out in the field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur during kharif 2018 to evaluate the effect of foliar application of zinc, boron and iron on growth, seed yield and quality parameters of sweet corn (cv. Madhuri). The experiment was planned with eight treatments viz., T1: Zinc 0.2%, T2: Boron 0.1%, T3: Iron 0.1%, T4: Zinc 0.2% + Boron 0.1%, T5: Zinc 0.2% + Iron 0.1%, T6: Boron 0.1% + Iron 0.1%, T7: Zinc 0.2% + Boron 0.1% + Iron 0.1%, T8: Control (No treatment) during Kharif 2017 at MARS, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad with three replications in RBD. The results revealed that, the foliar application of zinc 0.2% + boron 0.1% + iron 0.1% + RDF (100 kg N, 50 kg P2O5, 25 kg K2O, 10 kg SO4 and FYM 7.5 t ha-1 has recorded higher plant height (200.6 cm), cob weight (102.0 g), seeds per cob (590.7), 100 seed weight (12.03 g) and seed yield (31.79 q/ha) and seed quality traits like germination (99.30 %), seedling vigour index (4210) and seedling dry weight (2.50 g) as compared to other treatments. It was revealed from the present investigation that the application of RDF in combination with the foliar application of zinc @ 0.2%, boron @ 0.1% and iron @ 0.1% recorded significantly higher seed yield, fodder yield and shelling percentage followed by the foliar spray of zinc @ 0.2% and boron @ 0.1% as this treatment recorded higher seed yield, fodder yield and shelling percentage over other combinations of major and micronutrients application in sweet corn.