Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The incidence of Fusarium species recovered from inflorescences of wild grasses in southern Manitoba

Wild grasses were collected in June, July, and August, in 1999 and 2000, from three southern Manitoba locations: the Cereal Research Centre Field Station at Glenlea, the Tolstoi Tall-Grass Prairie Preserve, and the Living Prairie Museum in Winnipeg. A total of 1766 plants representing 34 species were collected and examined for the presence of Fusarium spp. Spikelets of the inflorescences were surface sterilized, plated on potato dextrose agar amended with streptomycin, and the isolated Fusarium spp. identified. Fusarium graminearum was the predominant species found. This species was isolated from 8% of the grass inflorescences examined and accounted for 62% and 59% of all species isolated at Glenlea and Tolstoi, respectively. At the Living Prairie Museum, only F. sporotrichioides was found. Other Fusarium spp. isolated at low frequencies included F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, and F. poae. A seasonal trend in recovery of species was observed. In June, only F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides were isolated from early flowering grass species. In July, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. culmorum also were isolated, while in August all seven Fusarium spp. were found. Fusarium graminearum occurred on 11 of the 34 grass species examined, and 7 of these grasses are reported as hosts in Canada for the first time. These results indicate that wild grasses harbor several species of Fusarium, including F. graminearum, the predominant species causing fusarium head blight in cereal crops in Manitoba.
Two New Species of the Genus Anonyx (Amphipoda: Gammaridea: Lysianassoidea) from Onagawa Bay, Northeastern Japan

Abstract Two new species of lysianassoid amphipods, Anonyx omorii sp. nov. and A. abei sp. nov. were described from shallow waters of Onagawa Bay, northeastern Japan. The genus Anonyx has been divided into five informal groups by the morphological characters of the uropod 2 (Steele, 1979). According to the morphological features of uropod 2, A. omorii sp. nov. is assigned to A. compactus group with the inner ramus of uropod 2 completely constricted beyond the insertion point of a long distal spine, and A. abei sp. nov. to A. nugax group with the inner ramus of uropod 2 constricted at the insertion point of the long distal spine.
Effects of plant spacing on the growth, yield and yield components of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Botswana.

Okra is a newly cultivated crop in Botswana. Plant population has been identified as one of the factors that contribute to poor plant development and lower yields. The effects of various intra-row spacing on yield and yield components of okra variety; Clemson Spineless was evaluated at Botswana College of Agriculture in Sebele. The treatments consisted of five intra-row spacings of 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 cm for treatments 1-5 respectively, each of the treatment was replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Yield and yield components were determined on five pre-determined plants from each plot and the raw data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Generally, a significant treatment effect was revealed for plant height with narrower plant spacing of 30 cm significantly increasing the plant height. Wider plant spacing of 90 cm significantly increased the plant weight, number of branches and leaves. A nonsignificant treatment effect was observed for stem diameter, fruit length and diameter, number of flowers and fruits. Based on the results wider intra-row spacing of 90 cm is recommended for okra production.
The effects of different drip irrigation regimes on watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)] yield and yield components under semi-arid climatic conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drip irrigation on yield and yield components of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Crimson Tide F1] under semiarid conditions in the Southeastern Anatolian Project Region, Harran Plain, Şanliurfa, Turkey, during 2002 and 2003. Using a 4-day irrigation period, 4 different irrigation regimes were applied as ratios of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation (IW/CPE): 1.25 (I125), 1.00 (I100), 0.75 (I75), and 0.50 (I50). Seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETc) rates were 720, 677, 554, and 449 mm in the first year and 677, 617, 519, and 417 mm in the second year for irrigation treatments I125, I100, I75, and I50, respectively. Amounts of irrigation water applied to the 4 respective treatments were 764, 642, 520, and 398 mm in 2002 and 709, 591, 473, and 355 mm in 2003. Maximum yield was obtained from I125, with 84.1 t/ha in 2002 and 88.6 t/ha in 2003. Yield was reduced significantly as the irrigation water was reduced. The values of water use efficiency ranged from 9.6 to 11.7 kg/m3 in 2002 and 10.8 to 13.1 kg/m3 in 2003. The unstressed I125 treatment produced 10.1 kg marketable watermelons/m3 irrigation in 2002, and 11.3 kg/m3 in 2003. By comparison, the least irrigated (I50) treatment produced 12.4 kg/m3 in 2002, and 14.9 kg/m3 in 2003. A yield response factor (ky) value of 1.15 was determined based on averages of 2 years, and watermelon was found to be sensitive to water stress. This result showed that yield loss (1 – Ya/Ym) is more important than evapotranspiration deficit (1 – ETa/ETm). The study demonstrates that 1.25 IW/CPE water applications by a drip system in a 4-day irrigation frequency might be optimal for watermelon grown in semi-arid regions similar to those in which the work was conducted.
Biomechanical Tests and Clinical Application of Unicortical Pin by the External Fixator System

ABSTRACT The paper outlines characteristics of the unicortical pin, its biomechanical features, as wel as its application in the clinical practice. The plastic models are used for parallel tests of biomechanics of unicortical and Schanc's pins that are mounted together with the external fixator M.9. Their stability in LL direction is almost the same, but in AP direction the unicortical pin offers lower stability. This can be explained by the direction and position of placing of these pins. Special advantage and feature of the unicortical pin is its saving role toward the bone vascularization. It passes only into the bone cortex, and this in spots, and it doesn't pass thrugh the medullary channel and doesn't damage medullary vascularization. In clinical practice the unicortical pin is most frequently applied with the comminuted fractures. It puhes the free bone fragment and attaches it to the basic one so that greater stability is assured at the fracture core and the fracture gap, i.e. hematom, is diminished. This procedure stimulates the osteogenesis process. Unicortical pins are less frequently used for independent fixing of the bone fragments—this only if there is counterindication for the general anesthesia, in which case the unicortical pins are applied under local anesthesia.
The Evolution of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Darwin's Finches

Comparative methods have generally been used in attempts to understand the evolution of sexual dimorphism. Here I outline several hypotheses for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in body size in terms of the types of selection likely to be observed in contemporary studies of populations. I use this to interpret observations of selection in a population of Darwin's medium ground finch, Geospiza fortis, in which males average about 5% larger than females. Results are supplemented with observations on feeding and breeding behavior. There is estimated to be a very high between-sex genetic correlation for homologous characters. This may account for a lack of differentiation in the degree of dimorphism demonstrated among populations and species of Geospiza. There is no evidence that resource partitioning between the sexes has played any significant part in the evolution or maintenance of the dimorphism in this population. Two contemporary selection forces are identified and implicated in the past evolution of the sexual dimorphism. These are: (1) smaller females breed earlier than larger females, and (2) males are under sexual selection for large size.
Lymnaea viatrix and Lymnaea columella in the neotropical region: a distributional outline

A review of lymnaeid samples collected by the author from 106 localities in Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay andBrazil showed that one of them (from Ecuador) belonged to Lymnaea cousini Jousseaume, 1887, and all the others to either L. viatrix Orbigny, 1835 or l. columella Say, 1817. The ranges of L. viatrix and L. columella overlap in Middle America, and in northern and southern South America (Venezuela-Colombia-Ecuador and northeastern Argentina-Uruguay-southernmost Brazil, respectively). L. viatrix was the only species found in Peru west of the Andes and in Chile, and is supposed to have migrated eastward to Argentina via the Negro river basin. The range of L. columella in South America is discontinuous. The species has been recorded from Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador and, east of the Andes, from latitudes 15o S (central-west Brazil) to 35o S (La Plata, Argentina). Such a gap may be attributed to either introduction from the northern into the southern area, or migration along the unsampled region on the eastern side of the Andes, or extinction in the now vacant area. No lymnaeids have been found so far in Brazil north of latitude 15o S and in the Guianas.
Some Life History Aspects of the Rock Crab, Cancer irroratus, in the Gulf of Maine

Rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, were caught in wire lobster traps from 1968 through 1971 at Boothbay Harbor and in 1969 at Casco Bay, Maine. Females dominated the annual catches (except in Casco Bay) and width classes from 61 to 90 mm; while males were predominant above this size range. Rock crabs from Casco Bay were heavier at a given width than those from Boothbay Harbor. Soft-shelled females were caught mostly in the fall, while soft-shelled males appeared most frequently in late winter and early spring. The occurrence of newly berried females suggested that spawning (egg extrusion) took place in late fall and early winter, and hatching occurred in spring. Most female crabs attained sexual maturity between 70–80 mm carapace width, but a few matured at widths less than 70 mm.
Glutamate and Depression

Abstract: The past decade has seen a steady accumulation of evidence supporting a role for the excitatory amino acid (EAA) neurotransmitter, glutamate, and its receptors in depression and antidepressant activity. To date, evidence has emerged indicating that N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1 and mGluR5) antagonists, as well as positive modulators of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors have antidepressant‐like activity in a variety of preclinical models. Moreover, antidepressant‐like activity can be produced not only by drugs modulating the glutamatergic synapse, but also by agents that affect subcellular signaling systems linked to EAA receptors (e.g., nitric oxide synthase). In view of the extensive colocalization of EAA and monoamine markers in nuclei such as the locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe, it is likely that an intimate relationship exists between regulation of monoaminergic and EAA neurotransmission and antidepressant effects. Further, there is also evidence implicating disturbances in glutamate metabolism, NMDA, and mGluR1,5 receptors in depression and suicidality. Finally, recent data indicate that a single intravenous dose of an NMDA receptor antagonist is sufficient to produce sustained relief from depressive symptoms. Taken together with the proposed role of neurotrophic factors in the neuroplastic responses to stressors and antidepressant treatments, these findings represent exciting and novel avenues to both understand depressive symptomatology and develop more effective antidepressants.
Effects of fire on rangeland vegetation in south-western Mendoza plains (Argentina): composition, frequency, biomass, productivity and carrying capacity

Abstract The effect of both a non-prescribed summer fire and grazing at high stocking rate following fire on plant community composition, the frequency of occurrence of bare soil, grasses and shrubs, species diversity and biomass of herbaceous forage were evaluated for three growing seasons after fire. Changes in community composition occurred as a consequence of both fire and grazing. Communities were dominated by unpalatable shrubs and grasses in unburned sites as a result of a long history of overgrazing. Fire contributed to a conversion of those shrublands to communities with a more favourable balance between woody and herbaceous species. The frequency of palatable grasses and herbaceous forage biomass increased by a factor of c . 3 at the expense of woody vegetation. Grazing after fire had significant positive (i.e. decrease in undesirable grasses) and negative (i.e. increase in bare soil) effects.
Intraspecific polyploidy of Parnassia palustris var. multiseta (Saxifragaceae s.l.) collected in Primorye and Altai Territories, Russia

Forty plants of Parnassia palustris var. multiseta collected in nine localities in Russia were studied in chromosome botany. They showed differentiation of the somatic chromosome numbers of 2n=18, 27 and 36, that could be diploid, triploid and tetraploid, respectively, of which the chromosome number of 2n=27 was reported here for the first time. The plants of 2n=18 and 36 chromosomes had commonly high pollen stainability and showed significantly different pollen grains in size from each other.
Effect of biomass on assemblages of large mammals in a seasonally dry forest in the Brazilian Amazonia

Aiming to understand the relationship between body mass and abundance, a community of middle-sized and larger mammals was studied in a seasonally dry forest in the far north of the Brazilian Amazonia. Diurnal and nocturnal surveys were carried out by the line-transect method along a 10-km transect. Data were collected on density, biomass, use of forest types, forest strata, diet and feeding strategies by the mammals. Biomass explained animal abundance better than did body mass across the two forest types: Terra Firme forest and mixed forest. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the biomass of all the 33 mammals studied and group density, as well as between biomass and group size, in both forests. When terrestrial and arboreal mammals, and also different feeding guilds were considered separately, they exhibited very similar results, where biomass alone was positively associated with group density and group size. The slope of the relationships between body mass and group density, body mass and group size, biomass and group density, and biomass and group size varied considerably, with significant scatter around the regression line. Food and food competition shaped the relationship between animal mass and abundance, and this relationship can even vary widely between assemblages. As a result of competition for the available resources, group density increased with increasing biomass.
A two‐step control of basic and acidic peroxidases and its significance for growth and development

A generalized two-step and interdependent control of basic and acidic peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) is observed in plant responses to different physical and chemical stimuli. An interpretative model consisting of a pathway of reactions is presented on the basis of our own data and the literature. Stress-induced membrane depolarization would generate different species of free radicals and peroxides, which in turn initiate lipid peroxidation. The degradation of cell membranes is suggested to bring about rapid changes in ionic fluxes (especially release of K+ which would result in an enhanced endogenous Ca/K ratio) and in leakage of solutes (among them electron donors such as ascorbic acid and phenolic substances). The increased intracellular relative calcium level results in: 1) activated secretion of basic peroxidases into the free space where, in association with the electron donors and maybe with the circulating indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), they eliminate the peroxides; and 2) facilitated binding of basic peroxidases to membrane structures allowing a role as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-oxidases. The resulting IAA and ACC oxidase-mediated changes in ethylene production would further induce (this time through the protein synthesis machinery) an increase in activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.31.5) and acidic peroxidases. The resulting lignification and cell wall rigidification determines the growth and/or the developmental response to the initial stress.
Effect of water temperature and size of females on the timing of spawning of perch Perca fluviatilis L. in Lake Geneva from 1984 to 2003

The effects of water temperature on the timing of spawning of perch Perca fluviatilis in Lake Geneva were assessed in a 20 year survey (1984–2003). Spawning started at the end of April or at the beginning of May, when the water temperature rose to >10° C, but most of the spawns were laid when water temperature exceeded 12° C. This led to a positive correlation between the date of the mid-spawning period and the date when the water temperature rose to >12° C. Large perch had a tendency to spawn later than the small ones, which led to a positive correlation between the date of mid-spawning period and the yearly mean width of perch egg-ribbons. The coefficient of multiple determination between the date of mid-spawning period and the mean width of the ribbon of spawn, combined with the date when the water temperature rose to >12° C was r2= 0·77. The perch generally chose deeper spawning places (12 m) at the end of the spawning period than at the beginning (4 m), which was related to water temperature.
Pear rust mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) fecundity and development at constant temperatures.

Longevity, preoviposition period, and fecundity of deutogynes of the pear rust mite, Epitrimerus pyri (Nalepa), were measured at three constant temperatures (10, 15, and 20°C), and compared between deutogyne and protogyne females at 20°C. Relationships between temperature (10, 15, 20, and 25°C) and the rate of development (days−1) of eggs, nymphs, and generations (egg to adult) were described using least-squares linear regression. Mean longevity and preoviposition period of deutogynes decreased with increasing temperature. The average rate of oviposition increased with temperature, but lifetime fecundity did not differ among temperatures. At 20°C, protogynes began ovipositing sooner than deutogynes and laid more eggs at a faster rate, but average longevity of the two morphs was the same. Significant linear relationships were found between temperature and the developmental rates of eggs, nymphs, and generations. Threshold base temperatures for development of eggs, nymphs, and generations were 2.2, 3.3, and 3.8°C, respectively. Degree-day (±SEM) requirements for median development of eggs, nymphs, and generations were 93.5 ± 2.5, 78.7 ± 3.4, and 144.9 ± 3.6 above their respective threshold temperatures. These results are compared with estimated developmental requirements calculated from Easterbrook (1978).
Asymmetric Information Risk in FX Markets

This paper studies the information content of trades in the world's largest over-thecounter market, the foreign exchange (FX) market. The results are derived from a comprehensive order flow dataset distinguishing between different groups of market participants and covering a broad cross-section of currency pairs. Our findings show that both the contemporary and permanent price impact are heterogeneous across agents, time, and currency pairs, supporting the asymmetric information theory. A trading strategy based on the permanent price impact capturing superior information generates high returns even after accounting for risk, transaction costs, and other common risk factors documented in the FX literature.
Dynamics of Carbon Monoxide Binding to Cystathionine β-Synthase*

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) condenses homocysteine, a toxic metabolite, with serine in a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent reaction. It also contains a heme cofactor to which carbon monoxide (CO) or nitric oxide can bind, resulting in enzyme inhibition. To understand the mechanism of this regulation, we have investigated the equilibria and kinetics of CO binding to the highly active catalytic core of CBS, which is dimeric. CBS exhibits strong anticooperativity in CO binding with successive association constants of 0.24 and 0.02 μm-1. Stopped flow measurements reveal slow CO association (0.0166 s-1) limited by dissociation of the endogenous ligand, Cys-52. Rebinding of CO and of Cys-52 following CO photodissociation were independently monitored via time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. The Cys-52 rebinding rate, 4000 s-1, is essentially unchanged between pH 7.6 and 10.5, indicating that the pKa of Cys-52 is shifted below pH 7.6. This effect is attributed to the nearby Arg-266 residue, which is proposed to form a salt bridge with the dissociated Cys-52, thereby inhibiting its protonation and slowing rebinding to the Fe. This salt bridge suggests a pathway for enzyme inactivation upon CO binding, because Arg-266 is located on a helix that connects the heme and pyridoxal phosphate cofactor domains.
Pine oleoresin: tapping green chemicals, biofuels, food protection, and carbon sequestration from multipurpose trees

Plants of the genus Pinus are able to grow in a wide range of environments, many of which are quite harsh and extreme. High benefit–cost ratio of pine plantations resides on the relatively low demand for management investments and high economic and environmental services returns. Pine forests work as sinks of atmospheric carbon, contributing to greenhouse effect mitigation. They are important sources of numerous useful products, including not only wood and cellulose but also nonwood products used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for biorefineries. This review examines biological and economic aspects of pine trees concerning the chemical industry, especially the contributions of this natural source for replacing petroleum-derived chemicals and fuels, improving food safety, and increasing carbon storage. Future goals for this forestry sector, such as the establishment of super-resinous forests, are also discussed.
Sexual reproduction of Pinus contorta. I. Pollen development, the pollination mechanism, and early ovule development

Details of development and the phenology of postdormancy cone-bud development, microsporogenesis, pollen development, and pollination were similar for Pinus contorta var. contorta and var. latifolia growing near Victoria, B.C., but comparable stages of development for var. latifolia occurred about 1 month later near Prince George, B.C. Several developmental aspects were found which affect the reproductive potential of the species. Only 25% of the ovuliferous scales, mostly in the distal part of the cone, bear fertile ovules. Secretions formed on the ovules and micropylar arms which caused pollen to adhere to these surfaces. Pollination is by means of pollination drops which began to be exuded from the ovules about 2 weeks after the conelets began to emerge from their bud scales. Pollination drops were present within each conelet for 2 to 4 days. At that time conelets were most widely open. Pollination drops were then withdrawn as ovuliferous scales enlarged and sealed the conelets. Pollination drop exudat.