Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment and Spread of a Single Parthenogenic Genotype of the Mediterranean Arundo Wasp, Tetramesa romana1, in the Variable Climate of Texas

Abstract. As part of a biological control program for the invasive weed, Arundo donax L. , several genotypically unique populations of the parthenogenetic stemgalling wasp, Tetramesa romana Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), from Spain and France were released in an infested riparian zone along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Del Rio, TX. An adventive population of the wasp of unknown origin with limited distribution in Texas was also discovered, evaluated, and released as part of the program. More than 1.2 million wasps representing the mixture of genotypes were aerially released from 2009 to 2011. Wasps dispersed from their original release locations and now have a continuous distribution along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Del Rio, and have dispersed throughout most of Central Texas with satellite populations as far west as San Angelo (Tom Green County), north as far as Kaufman (Kaufman County), and east to Navasota (Grimes County). The most successful genotype (#4) represented 390 of the 409 wasps recovered and matched both an imported population from the Mediterranean coast of Spain and an adventive population established in Texas before the start of the biological control program. Several other European genotypes of the wasp released in the program apparently failed to establish. This result demonstrated the benefits of evaluating and releasing the maximum genetic diversity of the biological control agent in the introduced range. Abundance of T. romana on the Rio Grande from Laredo to Del Rio averaged 190% more in 2013–2014 compared to a similar study in 2008–2009 before release of the European wasps. A favorability index was developed that showed that conditions from 1969 to 1977 would have been adverse to the wasp; conditions after 2009 were more favorable. Climate matching predicts the wasp will disperse throughout the southern U.S. and Mexico.
Comportamiento de Leucaena spp. en fase de vivero.

Se evaluo una coleccion de Leucaena spp. representada por 14 especies, con un total de 170 accesiones sembradas en bolsas de nailon de polietileno de 26 x 14 cm, con el objetivo de conocer las variedades de mejor comportamiento en la fase de vivero, para lo cual se midio el grosor del tallo, el numero de ramas primarias y la altura de la plantula. Se observo que estos caracteres tuvieron una gran influencia en el desarrollo de la planta, mostrando una gran variabilidad (60,4 %) en la primera componente del ACP. No se encontro relacion entre los tres caracteres estudiados. Se destacaron cinco variedades: L. trichodes CIAT-8814 y L. leucocephala CIAT-9133, CIAT-17475, CIAT-17222 y CIAT-17494, con valores muy superiores a la media poblacional. De acuerdo con la dinamica de crecimiento, se formaron cinco grupos; sobresalieron doce variedades que mostraron una mayor dinamica de crecimiento (12,5 a 53,5 cm), con una tasa semanal entre 4,6 y 11,2 cm, y tres individuos que presentaron una dinamica de crecimiento lenta (2,5 y 13,5 cm), con una tasa de 1,5 a 2,8 cm. Se concluye que existe variabilidad en la coleccion dentro de las especies y las variedades de cada especie. Ademas, es necesario tener en cuenta los caracteres estudiados para definir el momento optimo de trasplante.
What a difference a species makes: a meta–analysis of dreissenid mussel impacts on freshwater ecosystems

We performed a meta-analysis of published studies and long-term monitoring data sets to evaluate the effects of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis), two of the world's most problematic biological invaders, on the biogeochemistry, flora, and fauna of lakes and rivers across North America and Eurasia. Dreissenid effects were structured along two distinct energy pathways. For the pelagic–profundal pathway, large mean reductions in phytoplankton (−35% to −78%) and zooplankton (−40% to −77%) biomass occurred and were dependent on habitat type. The largest effects were found in rivers, followed by littoral and pelagic habitats in lakes. In contrast, benthic energy pathways within littoral habitats of lakes and rivers showed dramatic increases in mean benthic algal and macrophyte biomass (+170% to +180%), sediment-associated bacteria (about +2000%), non-dreissenid zoobenthic biomass (+160% to +210%), and total zoobenthic biomass, which includes dreissenid mussel soft tissues (+.
Toll-Like Receptor 4-Dependent Activation of Dendritic Cells by β-Defensin 2

β-Defensins are small antimicrobial peptides of the innate immune system produced in response to microbial infection of mucosal tissue and skin. We demonstrate that murine β-defensin 2 (mDF2β) acts directly on immature dendritic cells as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), inducing up-regulation of costimulatory molecules and dendritic cell maturation. These events, in turn, trigger robust, type 1 polarized adaptive immune responses in vivo, suggesting that mDF2β may play an important role in immunosurveillance against pathogens and, possibly, self antigens or tumor antigens.
A Comparative Study of the Harderian Gland in the Female Rat and Female Rabbit (A Histological, Histochemical, Scanning Electron Microscopic and Morphometric study)

Background: The Harderian gland (HG) is a large retrobulbar, tubuloalveolar organ. It is present in many animals possessing a nictitating membrane (third eye lid). Aim of the Work: Compare the microscopic features of the HG in the female rat (as n example of rodents) with those of the female rabbit (as an example of mammals). Materials and Methods: Using histological, histochemical and morphometric techniques on the HG in adult female rat (3 months old) and rabbit (4.5 months old). A total number of 6 adult animals were used in each species. Results: By gross inspection the Harderian gland is bilobed. In the rat, the two lobes are similar in colour and texture while in the rabbit, the small lobe is white and the large lobe is red (pink). The gland is covered by a thin C.T. capsule with species variations both in structure and auto fluorescence. In the rat the two lobes show a fundamentally similar histological structure and the secretory epithelium is formed of two types of cells, type A and type B. While in the rabbit the two lobes have different histological structure and each lobe is formed of a single type of cells that differs in both lobes. The contents of the lumina of the tubuloalveoli vary in the two species indicating different modes of secretion. Statistical difference in the arbitrary area of the tubuloalveoli between the large and small lobes of the gland is insignificant in the rat but it is significant in the rabbit. In both species a single extra glandular excretory duct is detected at the hilum of the gland. In the rat the wall of the duct possess diverticula and the lining epithelium comprises some serous/or mucous acini. While in the rabbit, the structure of the duct is simple and it is lined by a low columnar epithelium with some goblet cells. Conclusion: Further research will be needed to correlate the different histological structure between the female rat and rabbit HG with the biology of these animals and to their functional significance. Original Article
Occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in British soils

SUMMARY Soil from 403 hedgerow, roadside verge, woodland, heathland or field sites was assessed for presence of entomopathogenic rhabditid nematodes with aGalleria larva baiting technique. Steinernematids were recovered from 48 % of the sites but only one site yielded Heterorhabditis sp. The species recovered most frequently was Steinernema bibionis (Bovien). Another unidentified Steinernema sp. was also isolated. Prevalence of steinernematids in the different types of habitat formed continuum so that roadside verges harboured them most often while heathland sites yielded them least often. Mean soil temperatures at 5 cm were about 15 °C in fields and verges, 13 °C in hedgerows and heathland and 12 °C in woodland. Prevalence of the nematodes varied in different parts of Britain and was influenced by soil type. They were associated with calcareous soils, especially those with a calcareous subsoil horizon. Soils which are periodically or seasonally water-logged were suitable. Soils enriched by humus and hence high in organic matter frequently harboured the nematodes and some suitable soils had significant clay contents or subsoils high in clay. It appears that the two steinernematids are relatively unspecialized species, occurring in diverse habitats and soil types and are adapted to cooler temperatures.
DESCRIPTION DE LA ZOOÉPIBIOSE DE L’ÉCREVISSE SIGNAL (PACIFASTACUS LENIUSCULUS, DANA) EN ASTACICULTURE

Des recherches ont ete effectuees concernant la zooepibiose de l’ecrevisse signal (Pacifastacus leniusculus, D.), provenant d’un centre d’astaciculture espagnol, au cours de la periode 1997-1998. Les organismes epibiotiques dominants trouves sur l’exosquelette appartiennent aux groupes zoologiques d’Invertebres suivants : Mastigophora (Bodo), Cilliophora (Stentor, Epistylis, Zoothamnium, Acineta), Turbelaria (Temnocephala), Rotifera (Brachionus), Annelida (Branchiobdella), Acarina (Hygrobates) et Ostracode (Eucypris ou Enthocytera), on souligne le nombre eleve de Branchiobdellides de l’espece Branchiobdella instabilia M. , dont les quantites minimum et maximum, en mâles et femelles, oscillent de 12 a 139 et de 7 a 130, respectivement. Les hyperbranchiobdelloses provoquent des automutilations, des decollements des pinces et autres appendices, des mues anormales, des lesions cuticulaires, de l’hemocytopenie et des changements ethologiques. Les colonisations maximales d’Ostracodes de l’espece Eucypris virens, J.O. , Enthocytera heterodonta, R. , dans les poches d’incubation des femelles donnent lieu a une coloration rougeâtre des oeufs et a leur perte posterieure. Compte tenu de leur nombre limite et de la periode d’epibiose, les genres des sous-types Mastigophora, Ciliophora, Turbelaria, Rotifera et Arachnida ne representent aucun danger pour les ecrevisses. En ce qui concerne la zooepibiose associee aux appendices et aux regions du corps des ecrevisses du Pacifique, les chelipedes ou pinces constituent le substrat ou se place de preference le genre Branchiobdella ; le cephalothorax sert de support a tous les groupes taxonomiques d’epibiontes identifies.
Evaluating the diversity and phylogeny of plant growth promoting bacteria associated with wheat (Triticum aestivum) growing in central zone of India

Wheat (Triticum durum L.) is one of the most important cereals world-wide and it is grown in different environments. Drought is one of the major constraints which hamper wheat production in India. The central zone of India (Madhaya Pradesh, Kota region of Rajasthan and Jhansi region of Uttar Pradesh) were characterised for water stress ecosystem. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 5 (2014) pp. 432-447 http://www.ijcmas. com
Indexing European bird population trends using results of national monitoring schemes: a trial of a new method

Many European countries have annual breeding bird monitoring schemes based on nationwide samples; most are in northern and western Europe. We have developed a method to produce yearly population indices of bird species across countries by combining the results of existing national schemes. The method takes into account the differences in population sizes per country, as well as the differences in field methods, and the numbers of sites and years covered by the national schemes. In order to test the method, we collected raw data from a number of countries and applied an index method to produce scheme results per country. Data were collected for five farmland species (Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Linnet Carduelis cannabina, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella), from seven countries (UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Latvia and Estonia) for a 20-year period (1978–97). The trial demonstrated that it was possible to combine national indices to provide supra-national yearly totals and their standard errors; the results were similar to those produced when the raw data were used. Thus, yearly European indices can be produced by exchanging only limited amounts of information, that is the national yearly indices of each species or, preferably, the yearly population numbers and their standard errors. At a European scale, the populations of the five species selected have changed considerably. In western Europe (UK, Netherlands, Denmark and former West Germany combined), Linnet, Skylark and Yellowhammer have declined and Whitethroat has increased. Most changes occurred during the first ten-year period (1978–88). The changes in eastern Europe (the remaining countries) were less clear, in part because the statistical power of the national schemes is as yet limited.
Comparison of nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen utilization efficiency between elite inbred lines and the landraces of maize

Abstract Inadequate supply of nitrogen (N) fertilizers results in lower N use efficiency (NUE) and higher N losses which cause environmental deterioration, such as nitrate pollution of groundwater and emission of nitrous greenhouse gases. One way to increase NUE is to use N-efficient cultivars, which grow better under reduced N supplies. Both elite inbred lines and landraces are the basis for hybrid breeding in maize. While inbred lines are mostly selected from high N input conditions, landraces are historically distributed in poor soils with low N availability. Therefore, some potential NUE-related traits conserved in the landraces may have been lost during modern breeding processes. In the present study, the N accumulation and utilization efficiency of 15 elite inbred lines and four landraces of maize were compared at low (LN) and high N (HN) input conditions. In general, the grain yields of the inbred lines and the landraces were similar at both N rates. However, nitrogen accumulation ability in landraces was much higher than that of the inbred lines. The high N accumulation of landraces was closely related to their higher biomass, indicating that growth potential is the main driving force for N accumulation. Nevertheless, N utilization efficiency (grain produced per unit N absorbed) of the landraces was significantly lower than that in inbred lines. Correspondingly, assimilation allocation for grain formation, as indicated by the harvest index, was much lower in landraces than in inbred lines. The higher growth potential, and hence, the ability of N accumulation in landraces may be a valuable trait in breeding programs aiming to further improve N use efficiency.
Ecology and conservation status of Taxus baccata population in NE Chalkidiki, northern Greece

Taxus baccata L. is a rare species threatenedwith extinction in Greece, as in other parts of Europe. This paper deals with the ecological status of the species in the area of NE Chalkidiki northern Greece, where the species appears in one of the greatest populations of the country. Site, standandyew population charac- teristics were studied in the area that species occupies. Eleven sample plots were marked, and on each plot, the height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured for all yew trees, as well as for all the individu- als of the rest tree species, with diameter at breast height greater than 4 cm. Tree vitality of all trees was also estimated according to IUFRO classification. Yew radial growth was studied using tree-ring analysis. Tree natural regeneration was investigated within subplots of different dimensions and according to two height classes. Results showed that yew population occurs in stands dominated by beech, presenting a mean density of 301 trees per hectare, with a total population of 430 trees with DBH above 4 cm. It forms the secondary stand, and dominates in the stand understorey, accompanied with Fagus sylvatica and Ilex aquifolium, while it appears rarely in the overstorey. Yew tree vitality was foundto be quite high, andsignificantly higher than that of beech. Radial growth of the sampled trees follows a slow and constant annual increment gradually de- creasing by tree age. Yew natural regeneration was foundto be relatively low, 1341.8 individuals (seedlings andsaplings up to 1 m) per hectare. Management and in situ conservation of the species in the area shouldfo - cus on species protection measures, andon specific silvicultural treatments for creating favourable conditions for species growth.
Niche differentiation and distribution of Carex curvula along a bioclimatic gradient in the southwestern Alps

Abstract Carex curvula is a dominant sedge of European alpine tundra, exhibiting two morphological forms: C. curvula ssp. curvula (Ccc) and C. curvula ssp. rosae (Ccr). In this paper, we attempt to explore whether Ccc and Ccr are ecotypes or vicariant forms and whether between- and within-regional distribution patterns can be explained by variations in the amount of available habitats and/or by changes in niche attributes. The study area covered three bioclimatically distinct regions of the southwestern Alps in which local abundances of Ccc and Ccr strongly differ. The realized niche of both forms was investigated by a direct gradient analysis performed on an extensive floristic and environmental data set. We found no evidence of niche overlap between Ccc and Ccr as their distribution curves differ strongly along disturbance, mesotopography and soil acidity gradients. We investigated the effect of region on the structure of local scale variables tables. Highly concordant patterns among regions were found, except that optimal habitat conditions for Ccc were infrequent in the southernmost regions. We compared the ecological behaviour of range centre and range margin populations of each form. We found a narrower ecological amplitude for Ccr in the northern part of its range, whereas for Ccc the niche breadth of range-margin populations was not reduced compared to range centre populations. At its southern range limit, Ccc mostly occupies ecologically marginal habitats. We conclude that Ccc and Ccr represent ecotypes, not vicariant forms. Finally, we suggest that habitat availability, resulting from the interplay of regional-scale and local-scale variables, satisfactorily explains the distributional patterns of Carex curvula ecotypes in the southwestern Alps. Abbreviations: CCA = Canonical Correspondence Analysis; Ccc = Carex curvula ssp. curvula; Ccr = Carex curvula ssp. rosae; OMI = Outlying Mean Index; PCA = Principal Component Analysis; RDA = Redundancy Analysis. Nomenclature: Tutin et al. 1964–1980.
Physiological Constraints on the Overwintering Potential of the Soybean Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, has a heteroecious, holocyclic life cycle. Soybean aphids overwinter as eggs, hatch in the spring, reproduce asexually, and undergo three or more generations on buckthorn, Rhamnus spp. , before migrating to a secondary host such as soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. The ability of different soybean aphid life stages to survive low temperatures potentially experienced during fall or winter is not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the supercooling point (SCP) of various soybean aphid life stages and to determine the annual probability that winter temperatures within the North Central region of the United States would equal or fall below the mean SCP of soybean aphid eggs. Aphid eggs are considered the most cold-hardy stage; therefore, their SCP can be used as a conservative estimate for aphid overwintering mortality. In our study, eggs had the lowest mean SCP (approximately −34°C) among all life stages, whereas gynoparae and oviparae had the highest mean SCPs (approximately −15°C). During the winter, extreme low air temperatures are likely to reach or exceed the mean SCP of soybean aphid eggs in portions of northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Thus, widespread successful overwintering in the northern United States and southern Canada is less likely than in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, and the lower peninsula of Michigan.
Pengaruh Penempatan Pegawai Terhadap Prestasi Kerja Pegawai Pada Kantor Media Lintas Indonesia Kota Palembang

Secara teoritis terdapat faktor yang mempengaruhi prestasi kerja pegawai termasuk kesesuaian penempatan pegawai. Dalam penelitian ini yang menjadi populasi adalah seluruh pegawai pada Kantor Media Lintas Indonesia Kota Palembang yang berjumlah 32 orang dan sekaligus sebagai sampel penelitian. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan kuisioner. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi linier sederhana dengan bantuan software SPSS 22.0 for windows. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial variable penempatan pegawai berpengaruh signifikan terhadap prestasi kerja pegawai pada Kantor Media Lintas Indonesia Kota Palembang. Hal ini bisa dilihat dari hasil uji hipotesis diperoleh nilai signifikan semuanya lebih kecil dibandingkan dengan alpha pada taraf nyata 0,05. Kata kunci: Penempatan Pegawai dan Prestasi Kerja
Structure/activity analysis of resiniferatoxin analogs

Resiniferatoxin (RTX), unlike the structurally related phorbol esters, acts as an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin, the pungent principle of the red pepper. A homovanillyl group is an essential structural feature of capsaicin and the most prominent feature distinguishing resiniferatoxin from typical phorbol‐related compounds. In this report, we examine the RTX‐like activity of two 20‐homovanillyl esters of diterpene derivatives with particular similarities to RTX. The potency of 12‐deoxyphorbol 13‐phenylacetate 20‐homovanillate (dPP‐HV) was comparable to RTX for local induction and desensitization of chemical pain but was 2–4 orders of magnitude less potent for the other RTX responses tested (stimulation and desensitization of neurogenic inflammation and hypothermia). Mezerein 20‐homovanillate (Mez‐HV) displayed very weak activity in pain induction and was inactive in the other assays. The parent derivatives ‐ resiniferonol orthophenylacetate, 12‐deoxyphorbol 13‐phenylacetate and mezerein ‐ were inactive in inducing RTX‐like effects. Reciprocally, the presence of the 20‐homovanillate ester reduced binding affinities to protein kinase C by 11‐, 130‐ and 690‐fold for RTX, dPP‐HV and Mez‐HV, respectively. Our findings provide further evidence for heterogeneity among capsaicin‐sensitive pathways. Most significantly, our results demonstrate that esterincation of phorbol‐related diterpenes with homovanillic acid can yield capsaicin analogs with unique activities.
Effect of Foliar Application with Dry Yeast Extract and Benzyladenine on Growth and Yield of Manzanillo Olive Trees.

Manzanillo olive trees (Olea euroea L.) were sprayed twice at full bloom stage and two weeks later with dry yeast extract (20 and 40 g/L) and benzyladenine (60, 80 ppm), each alone or in combination besides control (spraying with water only) during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Results cleared that, foliar applications of dry yeast extract at 40g / L + benzyladenine at 60 ppm or dry yeast extract at 40 g/ L are recommended for improving yield, fruit quality (fruit weight, length, diameter, seed weight, fruit flesh weight, pulp/seed percentage and fruit moisture percentage) and fruit oil content of Manzanillo olive trees. Improving productivity attributed to increase flowering density, perfect flowers percentage, and fruit set percentage as well as leaf area, specific leaf dry weight, total chlorophyll contents and leaf mineral content (N, P, K,Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn).