Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance of Rosa Species and Cultivars to Pratylenchus penetrans

Methods to screen for resistance to root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans in Rosa were modified to screen-rooted materials. Sixty days after rooting, plants were transplanted into 50-mL pots filled with river sand and each inoculated with 500 P. penetrans in 400 μL water 10 days later. The inoculated plants were fertilized weekly and incubated in a growth chamber or a greenhouse for 5 months when nematodes were extracted from the sand and root system and enumerated. When used for screening of the 131 Rosa accessions, this approach allowed the observation of a large variation in host suitability. While a majority of the accessions supported the multiplication of P. penetrans, previously reported resistance of R. multiflora 'K1' and R. virginiana to P. penetrans was confirmed. Rosa laevigata anemoides allowed a significantly lower nematode multiplication than the currently prevalent rootstock R. corymbifera 'Laxa'.
Research Regarding the Evolution of Freshness State of European Catfish Meat Stored in Refrigerated Form

European catfish (Silurus glanis) the biggest fresh water fish from Europe is a breed that present a great interest among the fish breeders, due to its good growing rhythm, as well as among consumers, due to its remarkable sensorial properties. As in the case of other fish breeds, the main selling way is under refrigerated form. The current study aims to observe the qualitative modifications, which took place in refrigerated meat of Silurus glanis breed for a period of 16 days. Samples were evaluated by analyzing the sensorial features, pH and NH3, during 7 intervals corresponding to days 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 14 and 16 of storage. Sensorial analysis qualified samples as being â€œvery goodâ€ till day 4, â€œgoodâ€ till day 8, â€œsatisfactoryâ€ day 12, â€œinappropriateâ€ day 14 and altered at the end of storage period. The pH recorded a value of 6.98 after slaughtering, constantly decreasing till day 4, so that in day 16 the obtained value to be 7.32 which show an inappropriate product for selling and consumption. Values obtained for NH3, present a close correlation with the other indicators utilized to evaluate the freshness state of fish meat, ranking the products as fresh till day 12 (27.10) and inappropriate for consumption starting with day 14.
Time course of Algerian Azeradj extra-virgin olive oil quality during olive ripening

The aim of this work was the chemical characterization of Algerian Azeradj extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) at different harvest dates in terms of oil yield, quality indices, fatty acids, pigments, polyphenols, and oxidative stability, in order to establish the best harvesting period for this variety. For this purpose, Azeradj EVOO samples were taken at three harvest dates corresponding to three ripening stages. Except for K270, the analysis of EVOOs showed a significant increase in the values of all quality parameters as olive ripening progresses (free fatty acids, peroxide index, and K232), while no significant variation was found for oil yield. Moreover, a significant decrease was observed for the monounsaturated fatty acid:polyunsaturated fatty acid (MUFA:PUFA) ratio, chlorophyll, carotenoids, total phenols, and oxidative stability in EVOOs produced at the advanced ripening stage. For better monitoring of the behavior of the phenolic fraction in EVOOs during ripening, for the first time in this work, individual phenolic compounds of Azeradj EVOOs was characterized using HPLC-ESI-TOF/MS. A total of 21 phenolic compounds belonging to different families were identified in Azeradj EVOOs. The highest concentrations of secoiridoids and phenolic alcohols were found at the beginning of November (D1); however, lignans and flavones concentrations were higher at the end of November (D2). EVOO obtained at the last harvest date (D3) showed the lowest content on all phenolic families. Finally, according to the results of the analyses performed in this work, early harvesting provides Azeradj EVOO with excellent chemical characteristics. Practical applications: The Algerian olive oil sector is one of the least competitive in the Mediterranean region even if the Algerian olive oil displays some potential assets. Therefore, the chemical characterization of olive oil from one of the main varieties (Azeradj) cultivated in Algeria is of a great importance. The results will be available to all Algerian olive oil producers, and should be helpful in choosing the optimal harvest period to obtain Azeradj EVOO of high chemical quality. Olive ripeness affects the chemical composition of Azeradj extra-virgin olive oil.
Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies in Yield and Yield Related Characters of Tropical Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Ten genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated for two years in the field in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. The results showed year effect to be significant for days to tasselling, days to silking, kernel weight and grain yield, and genotype effect was significant for all the characters. Also ,genotype x year interaction were significant for all the characters except kernel weight and grain yield. Genotypes AK-94-DMR-ESR and ACR-94-TZE COMP 5 had highest grain yield per hectare (7301.6kg and 7183.4kg respectively). Close resemblance between Genotypic correlation coefficient (GCV) and Phenotypic correlation coefficient (PCV) was observed for all traits indicating that selection for these characters would be effective. Heritability estimates in general were high for all the eight characters studied except for days to 50% tasselling. Characters studied showed significant positive correlation with grain yield except for days to tasselling and silking which showed significant negative genotypic correlation with grain yield. For the rest of the characters only days to 50% tasselling showed significant negative phenotypic correlation with grain yield. The PCA identified seedling emergence (63%), kernel weight (50%), grain yield (45%), kernels per row 44%, kernel row per ear (40%) and days to tasselling (40%) as the characters that contributed significantly to variations found in the maize genotypes examined. Highest heritability (h b ) couple with high genetic advance was observed for kernel row per ear, grain yield per plant, ear length and kernels per row. Thus, these traits could be used as selection criteria for yield in maize.
Pollination of English Walnuts: Practices and Problems

English walnut (Juglans regia, L.) is a monoecious species bearing staminate and pistillate flowers separately on the same tree. Walnuts are generally self-fruitful, cross-compatible and dichogamous, having incomplete overlap of pollen shed and female receptivity. It is this characteristic which led to the recommendation that about 10% of the trees in a commercial planting be a cultivar with a pollen shed period overlapping pistillate flower receptivity of the main cultivar. Excessive pollen load has been implicated in the ‘Serr’ cultivar in pistillate flower abortion (PFA), the loss of the female flowers early in the season before fruit drop due to lack of pollination. PFA can be reduced and yield improved in ‘Serr’ orchards by reducing pollen load. This can be accomplished by pollinizer removal, or catkin removal at the beginning of pollen shed by mechanical shaking. In years of significant bloom overlap between staminate and pistillate bloom, PFA can be further reduced and yield improved by removing ‘Serr’ catkins. PFA occurs to a lesser extent in other cultivars such as ‘Chico’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Vina’ and ‘Howard’. This information has led to the reevaluation of pollinizer recommendations. Research focused on optimum pollinizer levels in ‘Chandler’, a cultivar of increasing importance to the California walnut industry, has been inconclusive. Lack of pollinizers may impact yields to a greater extent in the in the northern San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley than in the southern San Joaquin Valley. In any case the previously recommended 10% appears to be excessive. Two to three percent is probably adequate to limit losses due to lack of pollination without resulting in excessive PFA, and is currently being recommended by extension farm advisors and specialists. Factors to consider when determining the number of pollinators to plant include: cultivar susceptibility to PFA, walnut pollen load in the area and local pollination and fruit set experiences.
The devil is in the dispersers: predictions of landscape connectivity change with demography

Summary 1. Concern about the effects of habitat fragmentation has led to increasing interest in dispersal and connectivity modelling. Most modern techniques for connectivity modelling have resistance surfaces as their foundation. However, resistance surfaces for animal movement are frequently estimated without considering dispersal, despite being the principal natural mechanism by which organisms move between populations. 2. We collected Global Positioning System data over 10 years from 50 African lions Panthera leo (11 male natal dispersers, 20 adult males and 19 adult females) and used a path level analysis to parameterize demographic-specific resistance surfaces for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) in Southern Africa. 3. Lion path selection varied according to demographic grouping: adult females were most averse to risky landscapes such as agro-pastoral lands, towns, areas of high human density and highways. Male natal dispersers were the least-risk averse suggesting they are potentially the most prone demographic to human–lion conflict. Adults of both sexes selected bushed grassland and shrubland habitats and avoided woodland. Male natal dispersers displayed the opposite trend suggesting con-specific avoidance and/or suboptimal habitat use. 4. We used the resistance surfaces to calculate factorial least-cost path networks for each demographic-specific resistance surface and present results that show substantial differences between predicted patterns of connectivity for male natal dispersers, adult females and adult males. 5. Synthesis and applications. Resistance surfaces are widely used to create connectivity models, which are promoted for use by conservation managers. Our results suggest that the demographic category used to parameterize resistance surfaces may lead to radically different conclusions about connectivity. Failure to include dispersing individuals when parameterizing resistance surfaces intended for connectivity modelling may lead to erroneous conclusions about connectivity and potentially unsound management strategies.
Climatic change and fire potential in South‐Central British Columbia, Canada

The incidence and severity of forest fires are linked to the interaction between climate, fuel and topography. Increased warming and drying in the future is expected to have a significant impact on the risk of forest fire occurrence. An increase in fire risk is linked to the synchronous relationship between climate and fuel moisture conditions. A warmer, drier climate will lead to drier forest fuels that will in turn increase the chance of successful fire ignition and propagation. This interaction will increase the severity of fire weather, which, in turn, will increase the risk of extreme fire behaviour. A warmer climate will also extend fire season length, which will increase the likelihood of fires occurring over a greater proportion of the year. In this study of the North Okanagan area of British Columbia, Canada, the impacts of climate change of fire potential were evaluated using the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System and multiple climate scenario analysis. Utilizing this approach, a 30% increase in fire season length was modelled to occur by 2070. In addition, statistically significant increases in fire severity and fire behaviour were also modelled. Fire weather severity was predicted to increase by 95% during the summer months by 2070 while fire behaviour was predicted to shift from surface fire‐intermittent crown fire regimes to a predominantly intermittent‐full crown fire regime by 2070 onwards. An increase in fire season length, fire weather severity and fire behaviour will increase the costs of fire suppression and the risk of property and resource loss while limiting human‐use within vulnerable forest landscapes. An increase in fire weather severity and fire behaviour over a greater proportion of the season will increase the risks faced by ecosystems and biodiversity to climatic change and increase the costs and difficulty of achieving sustainable forest management.
Are Asset Managers Vulnerable to Fire Sales

According to conventional wisdom, an open-ended investment fund that has a floating net asset value (NAV) and no leverage will never experience a run and hence never have to fire-sell assets. In that view, a decline in the value of the fund? s assets will just lead to a commensurate and automatic decline in the fund? s equity? end of story. In this post, we argue that the conventional wisdom is incomplete and then explore some of the systemic risk consequences of investment funds? vulnerabilities to fire-sale spillovers.
EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON THE SPOILAGE FUNGI OF SOME SELECTED EDIBLE FRUITS IN SOUTHWESTERN, NIGERIA

The influence of electromagnetic field wave on the survival of spoilage fungi associated with some edible fruits consumed in southwestern, Nigeria was studied using cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), pineapple (Ananas comosus), carrot (Daucus carota), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), apple (Malus domestica) and African star apple (Chrysophyllum africanum). The spoilage fungi used include the genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Articulospora, Mucor, Staphylotrichum, Bisbyopeltis, Fusarium, Rhizopus and a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. There was a general decrease in fungal growth as shown in the number of spores produced with increase in exposure time of isolates to electromagnetic field except in Articulospora inflata, Penicillium italicum and Mucor mucedo where there was stimulatory effect as there was increase in the fungal spores compared to the control. A decrease was also observed in growth of the fungal isolates with increase in the intensity of the electromagnetic field at voltage of 7 V to 10 V and from 10 V to 13 V. The highest percentage reduction was recorded by Bisbyopeltis phoebesii at intensity of voltage 13V after 60 minutes of exposure. Exposure of the fruits to electromagnetic field wave did not alter the nutrient components of the fruits as observed in the proximate and mineral contents of the treated and untreated fruits. The result of the study revealed that electromagnetic field wave has great potential for use in the control of fruits spoilage and food preservation. JMBFS / Akinyele et al. 2012 : 2 (2) 701-712 702
Invasiveness potential of Miscanthus sinensis: implications for bioenergy production in the United States

Miscanthus sinensis (Anderss.) is a perennial grass species that has been grown widely as an ornamental since the late 1800s and is now being considered for bioenergy production in the United States. With its ability to be grown from seed and tolerate cold climates, this species offers practical advantages over current cultivars of the higher‐yielding hybrid species, M. ×giganteus. Yet a large‐scale release of M. sinensis for bioenergy production in colder northern regions could result in new invasions into natural areas. We show, with reference to historical records and data collected in six wild US populations of M. sinensis in 2009, that ornamental varieties of this species have a long history of localized escape in the Eastern United States, primarily within the Appalachian region. To prevent further escape and gene flow, we recommend the development of sterile or functionally sterile varieties of M. sinensis or the restriction of its usage as a donor of genetic material to new sterile cultivars of M. ×giganteus. Other appropriate precautions for new biomass varieties include experimental demonstration of low invasiveness in the target region ahead of commercial production, along with postintroduction stewardship programs.
β-Arrestin-dependent, G Protein-independent ERK1/2 Activation by the β2 Adrenergic Receptor*

Physiological effects of β adrenergic receptor (β2AR) stimulation have been classically shown to result from Gs-dependent adenylyl cyclase activation. Here we demonstrate a novel signaling mechanism wherein β-arrestins mediate β2AR signaling to extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK 1/2) independent of G protein activation. Activation of ERK1/2 by the β2AR expressed in HEK-293 cells was resolved into two components dependent, respectively, on Gs-Gi/protein kinase A (PKA) or β-arrestins. G protein-dependent activity was rapid, peaking within 2-5 min, was quite transient, was blocked by pertussis toxin (Gi inhibitor) and H-89 (PKA inhibitor), and was insensitive to depletion of endogenous β-arrestins by siRNA. β-Arrestin-dependent activation was slower in onset (peak 5-10 min), less robust, but more sustained and showed little decrement over 30 min. It was insensitive to pertussis toxin and H-89 and sensitive to depletion of either β-arrestin1 or -2 by small interfering RNA. In Gs knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts, wild-type β2AR recruited β-arrestin2-green fluorescent protein and activated pertussis toxin-insensitive ERK1/2. Furthermore, a novel β2AR mutant (β2ART68F,Y132G,Y219A or β2ARTYY), rationally designed based on Evolutionary Trace analysis, was incapable of G protein activation but could recruit β-arrestins, undergo β-arrestin-dependent internalization, and activate β-arrestin-dependent ERK. Interestingly, overexpression of GRK5 or -6 increased mutant receptor phosphorylation and β-arrestin recruitment, led to the formation of stable receptor-β-arrestin complexes on endosomes, and increased agonist-stimulated phospho-ERK1/2. In contrast, GRK2, membrane translocation of which requires Gβγ release upon G protein activation, was ineffective unless it was constitutively targeted to the plasma membrane by a prenylation signal (CAAX). These findings demonstrate that the β2AR can signal to ERK via a GRK5/6-β-arrestin-dependent pathway, which is independent of G protein coupling.
Water Relations of Leaves of 'Sonia' Rose Plants Grown in Soilless Greenhouse Conditions

Rose plants (Rosa hybrids CV. Sonia) were grown in rockwool in two heated greenhouses: one with relative humidity (RH) control (RH >70%) provided by high- -pressure mist, the other protected against overheating using a movable screen without RH control. Two electrical conductivity (EC) rates were applied: high (EC of drainage water ≈ ≈ 3.8 mS·cm -1 ) and low (EC of drainage water ≈1.8 ≈1.8 mS·cm -1 ). Under these conditions, water deficit in plants was due mainly to climate, and not to EC. The relative water content of sample leaves picked at noon (RWCnoon) was one to two percentage points higher in the greenhouse with RH control and dropped by 6% to 7% in summer. RWCnoon was unaffected by differences in EC. The average elastic modulus (E) and the relative water content threshold for turgor loss (RWC 0 ) were reduced in the greenhouse with RH control. was increased in the high EC treatment, but RWC 0 remained unaffected. Cultivation of greenhouse roses in rockwool is expanding rapidly. But very little is known about water relations and more generally about woody plant behavior over time in soilless greenhouse conditions. Water stress in plants results from both reduced soil water potential, which usually builds up progressively over a period of time, and fluctuations in evaporation rate due to daily changes in net radiation and humidity (Morgan, 1984). In soilless condi- tions, substrate water potential may also vary on a daily basis. The volume for water reten- tion in artificial substrates is low compared to that of natural soils (Riviere and Nicolas, 1987). Thus, water availability in the root medium can vary dramatically during the day if watering is insufficient. Moreover, plants take up water at a faster rate than mineral elements, thus contributing to an increase in salinity in the root substrate. This is particu- larly true when transpiration is high and when the concentration of the supplied nutrient so- lution is high compared to that taken up by the plants. Our aim was to further our understand- ing of rose leaf water relations as they maybe affected by seasonal and cultural variations, with water supply closely meeting climatic demand and salinity being kept under control.
40 Years of Breeding Bird Community Dynamics in a Primeval Temperate Forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland)

Abstract. We documented the composition and structure of the breeding bird assemblage in the primeval temperate forest of the Białowieża National Park (BNP), during 2010–2014, and used 40 years of data to assess patterns of its diversity. We applied an improved version of the mapping technique (a combined mapping method) for forest birds in seven plots located in three old-growth forest types: ash-alder riverine, oak-hornbeam, and mixed coniferous. The composition of the breeding avifauna and species richness remained basically unchanged. Jointly 67 (79% of 40-year total) breeding species were recorded in 2010–2014. Overall 49 (57%) of all species bred in the study plots in more than 35 years, they formed c. 97% of the pairs in the breeding assemblage. The composition of the group of dominants changed slightly; Phylloscopus sibilatrix became much less numerous in comparison to the earlier periods. Anthus trivialis ceased to breed — possibly due to disappearance of its habitat. The numbers of Sylvia atricapilla reached the highest ever level, and those of Columba palumbus and Dendrocopos medius equalled the maxima observed during 40 years. The overall breeding densities did not change significantly but they were substantially lower than in the peak year (2001). Crown insectivores, crown nesters and short-distance migrants remained the most numerous foraging, nesting and migratory groups, respectively. The earlier observed density gradient across habitats — highest in the riverine, lowest in the coniferous stands — was retained. Overall composition of the breeding avifauna did not change during 40 years, and no colonization of forest areas by a new species, nor extinction of a formerly widespread species, except A. trivialis, were observed. Some local changes of species richness occurred, however. Large-scale changes in coniferous habitats due to die-back of Picea abies and appearance of canopy gaps were followed by the increase in species richness there, while disappearance of former sharp forest edges reduced the number of species breeding in the “edge” plots. We suggest that the high constancy of species composition of the breeding bird assemblage in BNP results largely from the interplay of two factors: 1) long-term stability of the forest habitats, causing places suitable in one year to remain so over many seasons, and 2) cross-generational reproducibility of the selection criteria used by the birds in their settlement decisions.