Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Below‐ground processes control the success of an invasive seaweed

Whilst the successful establishment and spread of invasive species can be determined by above‐ground processes, results are often equivocal. Emergent research, mostly from terrestrial ecosystems, demonstrates that below‐ground processes (nutrient cycling, chemical properties) under microbial control can mediate interactions between native and invasive plants. Because microbes can control similar sediment properties in marine ecosystem that influence plant fitness, we argue that below‐ground properties should also exert strong control interactions between native and invasive marine macrophytes. We coupled surveys of microbial communities and chemistry of sediments collected from an invasive alga (Caulerpa cylindracea), a native competitor (the seagrass Posidonia oceanica) and unvegetated sediments with a large field experiment, in which we manipulated the presence/absence of the canopies of both species to determine the effects of above‐ and below‐ground processes on the success of C. cylindracea. Posidonia oceanica and C. cylindracea sediments have microbial communities and predicted metabolic process that reflect aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Moreover, the nutritional quantity of organic matter was higher, but quality lower in C. cylindracea sediments compared to the two native habitats. The growth of C. cylindracea fragments was equally low in the presence or absence of a P. oceanica canopy, whereas the growth of C. cylindracea was higher in the canopy removed vs. present treatment, possibly because, in the absence of a C. cylindracea canopy, fragments are released from intraspecific competition for resources. Synthesis. Sediment/soil processes are increasingly recognized as important drivers of the success and hence impacts of invasive plants. We extended this theory to marine ecosystems and suggest biotic resistance to invasion may not always be attributable to intact canopies, but may also result from indirect effects of native macrophytes on sediment quality and microbial processes. This information may, in part, resolve why above‐ground interactions do not always explain invasive plant success and thus can be used to develop better informed management strategies.
Pathogen susceptibility and fitness costs explain variation in immune priming across natural populations of flour beetles

In many insects, individuals primed with low doses of pathogens live longer after being exposed to the same pathogen later in life. Yet, our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological history of priming of immune response in natural insect populations is limited. Previous work demonstrated population-, sex- and- stage specific variation in the survival benefit of priming response in flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) infected with their natural pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis. However, the evolutionary forces responsible for this natural variation remained unclear. Here, we tested whether the strength of the priming response (measured as the survival benefit after priming and subsequent infection relative to unprimed controls) was associated with multiple fitness parameters across 10 flour beetle populations. Our results suggest two major selective pressures that may explain the observed inter-population variation in priming: (A) Basal pathogen susceptibility – populations that were more susceptible to infection produced a stronger priming response, and (B) Reproductive success – populations where primed females produced more offspring had lower survival benefit, suggesting a trade-off between priming response and reproduction. Our work is the first empirical demonstration of multiple selective pressures that may govern the adaptive evolution of immune priming in the wild. We hope that this motivates further experiments to establish the role of pathogen-imposed selection and fitness costs in the evolution of priming in natural insect populations.
Biological Control of Soilborne Pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum F. Sp. Cucumerinum) of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) by Trichoderma sp.

In this study, the efficacy of the native isolates of Trichoderma species to promote the growth and yield parameters of cucumber and to manage Fusarium wilt disease under greenhouse conditions were investigated. Ninety native Trichoderma antagonists were isolated from Grassland and forest soil in different geographical regions of Inner Mongolia, China. Applications of T. cf. harzianum T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T10, T11 and T. atroviride (T9) exhibited the least disease incidence (by 0%) also the same strains shows 100% of relative control effect. Cucumber seedling treated with T. cf. harzianum (T2 and T1) isolates showed a significant stimulatory effect on plant height (by 13 and 14 cm respectively) and the highest shoot and root fresh weight were recorded by T. asperelloides (T27) and T. gamsii (T17) by 1.62 gm and 0.97 gm respectively, in comparison to untreated control and treated control (10 cm and 4 cm, 1.27 gm and 0.22 gm and 0.82 gm and 0.10 gm). Therefore, the antagonist (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, and T11) is chosen to be the most promising bio-control agent for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerinum and further study have to be exploited for sustainable disease management program.
Impact of Irrigation and Foliar Application with Salicylic Acid on the flowers patterns and yield of summer Squash

The experiment was conducted in open field condition during summer season of 2015 to investigate the effect of salicylic acid on flowers patterns and yield of Squash grown under open field conditions. Squash seedlings were treated with salicylic acid as irrigation or foliar application at different concentrations (0.25 – 0.50 – 0.75 – 1 mM). The experiment was completely randomized experimental design with 10 plants for each treatment and 3 replications. Results indicated that both application methods of salicylic acid have a positive effect on squash plants compared with control. The (1 mM) concentration of salicylic acid in both application methods (R1, F1) significantly increased the number of female flowers and total flowers/plant, as well as fruits number, fruit weight, mean plant yield and total yield, and decreased the number of male flowers. Also, foliar application treatments showed more positive results than irrigated treatments, especially within low salicylic acid concentration treatments (R0.25 and R0.50) which had not significant effect on the studied characters compared with control plants. Application of salicylic acid improved the yield contributing factors that resulted in significant increase in squash fruit yield.
Estudo do polén apícola comercial

The bee pollen is the result of agglutination of pollen carried by bees from flowers by adding substances salivary and small amounts of nectar or honey [20]. Pollen is a product used in food as a dietary supplement it contains nutritionally essential substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, as well as significant quantities of phenolic compounds mainly flavonoids. It also has beneficial effects on human health and the prevention of prostate problems, allergy desensitization, atherosclerosis and cancer. The present study aimed to examine the label, the physico-chemical and nutritional, microbiological safety and even the bioactive properties of eight pollen samples purchased from the market. Analysis of the label was found that 12.5% of all samples had not mandatory. For samples of commercial pollen were identified 11 families being the dominant type Cistaceae. With regard to physical chemical analyzes all parameters, except for the humidity will, were within the limits established by Brazilian legislation. Values for the pH varied between 4.23 and 5.03, while Aw ranged between 0.26 and 0.43. The amounts of proteins and reducing sugars ranged respectively between 12.50 and 25.15% and between 26.10 and 41.79%. The lipid content of the samples in the study were low, ranging between 2.35 and 3.33%. These results suggest that the pollen load is an excellent dietary supplement. With regard to the quality values obtained for microbiological indicators of commercial quality, health and safety suggest that bee pollen is a food secure. In 50% of the samples analyzed were present yeasts, however the number was low. From the yeasts were identified six species. The content of total phenolic compounds ranged from 16.079 to 45.953 mg GAE / g. The antioxidant activity (EC50) of ethanol extracts of pollen was 1.95 mg / mL and 1.62 mg / ml when determined by the method of DPPH and method of reducing power, respectively. The EEP showed antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms.
The effectiveness of induced plant disease resistance: genotypic variation and quantification by chlorophyll fluorescence

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INDUCED PLANT DISEASE RESISTANCE: GENOTYPIC VARIATION AND QUANTIFICATION BY CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE Jonathan Tung Advisors: University of Guelph, 2011 Professor P. H. Goodwin Professor T. Hsiang Cultivars of Agrostis stolonifera showed weak and strong responsiveness to the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) activator, benzothiadiazole (BTH), or the induced systemic resistance (ISR) activator, 2R, 3R-butanediol (BD). Next Generation RNA sequencing was used to identify 2163 putative transcripts with increased expression in BTH versus water-treated A. stolonifera. Among three BTH-induced genes, AsASP-2 and AsHIR-1 were induced faster, while AsLOX-1 had stronger transient induction, in one out of two strongly BTH-responsive cultivars. Three ISR-responsive genes, AsGNS-5, AsOPR-4 and AsAOS-1, showed no greater induction or priming in the strongly versus weakly BD-responsive cultivars. Cultivars of A. stolonifera vary significantly in their response to defense activators, however this is not consistently related to defense gene expression. To quantify disease severity, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was tested on Nicotiana benthamiana infected with Colletotrichum orbiculare. Leaf areas of healthy, non-necrotic affected and necrotic tissue could be individually quantified, which demonstrated that BD delayed symptom development by approx. 24-hour and reduced non-necrotic affected tissue compared to controls. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging can quantify and reveal novel features about induced disease
The role of behavioural variation in trapping migratory Sea Lamprey

THE ROLE OF BEHAVIOURAL VARIATION IN TRAPPING MIGRATORY SEA LAMPREY Emelia Myles-Gonzalez Advisor: University of Guelph, 2016 Dr. Robert McLaughlin Trapping is used to control a variety of invasive species, including the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Trapping success for Sea Lamprey is currently lower than desired for control purposes. One hypothesis to explain low trapping success is that individual differences in boldness and activity influence susceptibility to trapping. I examined whether adult migrating Sea Lamprey behaviour (i) differ consistently and (ii) differed based on capture method or when they were caught during the migration. Sea Lamprey were collected from two Lake Ontario tributaries and their behaviour was assayed in the laboratory. I determined that Sea Lamprey exhibit consistent individual differences in behavioural measures of boldness and activity, and that there was no evidence for a relationship between behaviour and collection method, or migratory timing. The control program needs to invest in other avenues to explore low trapping success of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes.
The Constellation of Late Post-Traumatic Symptoms of Mild Head Injury Patients

A questionnaire-based investigation was carried out in patients with mild head injury (MH1) one to five years after the injury. A heterogeneous item pool was used in order to study the interrelationships between traditional postconcussive complaints and more emo tional and vegetative complaints. A three-factor model of residual subjective and psycho logical complaints was identified in the patient population (N = 231). This model con tained a dysthymic factor, a vegetative/bodily complaints factor, and a cognitive performance factor. A factor analysis in a matched non-concussed population (N = 231) revealed a rather different pattern. Although symptoms in both the patient and control group were non-specific in nature, patients reported significantly more severe symptoms compared with control persons. Key Words: Mild head injury—Postconcussive complaints.
Winter habitat use of American martens Martes americana within second-growth forest in Ontario, Canada

A combination of discriminant function analysis and multiple regression was used to develop a linear model of American marten Martes americana winter habitat use within second-growth boreal forest in northeastern Ontario, Canada. Four structural variables significantly discriminated between sites that were used or not used by martens: the percentage of spruce or fir trees, tree height, the number of downed logs, and canopy closure. The model was tested against a second data set and was not invalidated. The results demonstrated that martens were using second-growth forests in Ontario, and that their response to structural characteristics was similar to responses described previously in uncut forests.
Breeding biology of the black kite Milvus migrans (Accipitridae) at Ras El Ma ravine (Guelma, northeast Algeria)

The Black Kite Milvus migrans is a common species in northeast of Algeria. Data on the breeding ecology and biology of this bird was well collected all over the world, but in Algeria the population of Black kite are still not known. This study was carried out during 2015 at Ras El Ma ravine (Guelma, northeast of Algeria) in order to characterize the phenology and biology of the breeding of this raptor. The breeding population of black kite was present from March to September with a peak of 28 individual noted at the first week of August. The egg-laying started from April. 36 nests of black kite were surveyed during the breeding season. The first chick had fledged from July 16th. A total of 15 eggs were measured during our study the mean egg length, breadth, weight and volume were 55 ± 2.33 mm, 43 ± 2.11 mm, 103.66 ± 1.2 g, 51.76 ± 1.2 cm3 respectively. The clutch size of the black kite varied between 1 and 3 eggs.
Discounting in agro-industrial complex. A methodological proposal for risk premium

The estimation of the discount rate is decisive for a reliable economic valuation. The discount rate has to be adjusted for the risks related to the company, the sector which the company has its market, and the risks related to the investment project. We present a proposal to incorporate the risk premium to the discount rate. The novelty of the methodology is that difference risk groups according to activity as a factor to adjust the cost of capital to companies. The study applies the methodology to the Agro-Industrial Complex (AIC) in Spain. The AIC is formed by industries that add value to farming production. This sector’s economic success demands financial management techniques that assess risk. The conventional method responds neither to the heterogeneity of the economic activities that make up the AIC, nor to differentiating risk by groups. The proposed methodology distinguishes activity groups in accordance with the NACE (National Code of Economic Activities) and uses net profitability variability to distinguish the risk in each group. Our results demonstrate the various levels of risk per group. The results show that among all the groups that form the AIC there are wide differences between levels of risk; thus, the risk neutral groups present risk levels on the order of 150 times lower than the groups extreme risk levels.
Pengaruh Ekstrak Ethanol Kemangi (Ocimum canum Sims.) terhadap Struktur Histologi Testis Mencit (Mus musculus) Jantan

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ekstrak ethanol kemangi ( Ocimum canum Sims.) terhadap struktur histologi testis mencit jantan ( Mus musculus ). Penelitian ini menggunakan 9 ekor hewan coba mencit strain Balb/c jantan berumur 3 bulan, berat badan 20 - 30 g. Hewan coba dibagi menjadi tiga (3) kelompok kontrol tanpa pemberian ekstrak kemangi (P0), kelompok yang diberi ekstrak kemangi dengan dosis 100 mg/kgBB (P1) dan 200 mg/kgBB (P2). Ekstrak kemangi diberikan setiap hari secara oral selama 35 hari. Parameter yang diamati adalah diameter tubulus seminiferus, tebal epitel germinal, jumlah lapisan germinal dan jumlah sel spermatogenik meliputi spermatogonia, spermatosit dan spermatid. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan One-way ANOVA (p ≤ 0,05). Jika menunjukkan perbedaan yang bermakna, maka dilanjutkan dengan uji Least Significant Difference (LSD). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian ekstrak kemangi dosis 200 mg/kgBB meningkatkan diameter tubulus seminiferus, tebal epitel germinal, dan jumlah sel spermatid
Reed management influences philopatry to reed habitats in the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

ABSTRACT Management of reed beds primarily includes controlling water levels and removing vegetation by mowing, burning, or grazing. Although recent studies have demonstrated increased diversity and abundance of wetland specialists after reed bed management, documenting demographic benefits to individual species would add additional support to the advantages of appropriate management. Here, we explore the effects of reed management on the philopatry of Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) over 7 yr. Reed beds were managed in the winter by occasional burning at mining ponds and large canals, infrequent burning in marshes, and frequent mowing of small canals. Based on resightings and recaptures of 1,243 adult and 1,428 nestlings individually marked at 57 sites in 6 different reed habitats, we built Cormack-Jolly-Seber models to estimate the apparent annual survival and encounter probabilities of birds banded as nestlings or as adults. Apparent survival varied in time for both age groups and both sexes, suggesting annual fluctuations in survival, whereas encounter probability remained constant across years. The encounter probability of birds banded as juveniles was higher in reed beds with shallower water. The encounter probability of birds banded as adults was higher in reed beds with deeper water for females, and strongly increased with variation in reed management and less strongly with variation in water depth for males. We also found that the few returning juveniles displayed strong philopatry to the reed habitat occupied in their first breeding season. Our study provides evidence that reed management influences the return rates of juveniles and adult males and females in different ways. Spatially variable reed management by mowing or burning should be applied and water of varying depths should be maintained to maximize return rates of Great Reed Warblers.
Control of Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) with Pronamide

Wettable powder and granular formulations of pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], applied at 1.7 kg/ha to the soil surface or incorporated to depths of 1.3 to 7.5 cm, controlled dodder (Cuscuta indecora Choisy and C. campestris Yunck.) completely in the greenhouse for periods of 6 to 16 weeks. Seedlings emerged in pronamide-treated soil, but did not elongate normally and did not twine. Pronamide had very little activity as a vapor. In the field, the same rate applied to the soil surface and sprinkler irrigated or mechanically incorporated with the soil usually controlled dodder for about 1 month longer than did the standard herbicide, chlorpropham (isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate) at 6.7 kg/ha. Pronamide at 6.7 kg/ha did not injure established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).
Natural Epizootics of Cladosporium cladosporioides on Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Acari.: Tetranychidae) in Coimbatore

Investigations on the natural epizootics of Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresenius) de vries were carried out on Okra grown at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2010 and 2011. Observations on the incidence of mycosed mites were monitored continuously on okra at weekly interval during the study period. Occurrence of mycosis on Tetranychus urticae Koch due to C. cladsoporioides was high during third week of August 2010 (67.58%) followed by first week of August 2011 (47.24%), respectively. Fungal infection on mites had significant positive correlation with relative humidity and negative correlation with sunshine hours during the study period. An epizootic incidence of Cladosporium cladosporioides recorded on T. urticae is the first report from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Seasonal Variation of Diplectanid Monogeneans in Cage Cultured Seabass from Bangpakong River, Thailand

Inthis study, monogenean gill parasites in cage cultured seabass (Lates calcarifer) in three farms were investigated between June 2010 to June 2011. The farms (A, B, C) represent the three salinity zones in seabass cage culture in Thailand. Three species of diplectanid monogenean, Laticola lingaoensis, L. paralatesi and Diplectanum penangi, were isolated from 691 seabass. The prevalence values of parasites from the three farms were more than 90%. L. lingaoensis was the most dominant parasite followed by L. paralatesi and D. penangi, respectively. The mean intensity of monogenean parasite species was highest in Farm B which was statistically different (p<0.05) followed by Farm A then Farm C. The prevalence of gill parasites was high in all farms in both dry and rainy seasons. Inaddition, the mean intensity of gill parasites in Farms A and B showed a high rate of infection during the dry season.
Evaluating a Fire Management Plan for Fire Regime Goals in a Florida Landscape

ABSTRACT: Fire management plans (FMP) are complex documents that receive little evaluation of whether their objectives are met. We evaluate the Archbold Biological Station (ABS) FMP for goals related to the fire regime (area burned, seasonality, severity, and fire return intervals). The goals include increasing the area burned with prescribed fires, burning more areas during the May–September natural (lightning) fire season, and maintaining variation in fire severity. The ABS FMP is based on the concept of modal fire-return intervals (FRI) for each vegetation type that allow for variation in FRI in space and time. Our analysis uses detailed spatial data (5-m grid) on vegetation, fire extent, and severity. From 1967 to 2014, ABS increased area burned with prescribed fires. Over time, a greater proportion of ABS was burned with lightning-season fires. Burns had variable but mainly high severity. Fire severity varied with vegetation but was consistent over time. Vegetation slated for frequent burns tended to be behind schedule, while rosemary scrub, slated for infrequent fire, was ahead of schedule. The intermediate scrubby flatwoods, which comprise the largest part of the ABS landscape, had a FRI distribution that matched the FMP. The combination of fire mapping, FRI targets, and GIS offers a verifiable and consistent method of tracking fire regime goals in an FMP. We discuss inevitable tradeoffs in managing fire for multiple species and vegetation types over a large landscape and we provide recommendations for FMP monitoring and evaluation that may be broadly applicable to fire-adapted vegetation.
La couleur des vins rouges. 2e partie : mesure, origine et interprétation

The various analysis required for the measure of the red wines color are discussed and explained : absorbance at 420, 520 and 620 nm, determination of anthocyanins, p.v. p. and ionisation index.The part played in the absorbance at 520 nm by the free anthocyanins and the tannins-anthocyanins complex is investigated.The study of two red wines from two vinifications and stored in barrels for six months is carried out as an application.