Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial activity of some Argentinean wild plant essential oils against Paenibacillus larvae larvae, causal agent of American foulbrood (AFB)

Summary Five essential oils from Argentinan wild plants were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity against different strains of Paenibacillus larvae larvae, causal agent of American foulbrood in honey bees, Apis mellifera L. The species selected from which to extract the essential oils were aguaribay (Schinus molle var. areira L), Andean thyme (Acantholippia seriphioides A. Gray), peperine (Mintosthachys mollis H.B.K. Gris), camomile (Tagetes minuta L.) and pennyroyal (Lippia turbinata Griseb.). Oils were extracted from different parts of the plants by steam distillation. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericide concentration (MBC) were evaluated on Mueller-Hinton broth and on MYPGP agar respectively, by the tube dilution method. MIC and MBC minimum and maximum values obtained were 200–250 mgL−1 and 200–300 mgL−1 for Andean thyme and 800–1000 mgL−1 and 850–1100 mgL−1 for pennyroyal, respectively. The other oils had intermediate MIC and MBC values between the formers mentioned. Highly significant differences between MIC and MBC values for the essential oils tested were found. Tukey's mean separation test indicated that Andean thyme (A. seriphioides) essential oil was different from the other four essential oils at α<0.01. Andean thyme proved to be the most effective in vitro essential oil against P. larvae larvae. Therefore, it may be a promising natural alternative to traditional antibiotics, meriting further studies on its field applicability for AFB control.
TEMPORAL OVERLAP, COMPETITION, AND PRIORITY EFFECTS IN LARVAL ANURANS'

Interspecific competitors often colonize communities at different times, but few studies have experimentally tested whether the strength of interspecific competition hinges on the order or temporal separation of species' arrivals. We added hatchlings of two sympatric anuran species (Hyla (= Pseudacris) crucifer and Bufo woodhousii) to artificial ponds on three different dates to manipulate the order and temporal separation of their arrival. Measurement of the growth and survival of each species in ponds where the second species arrived simultaneously (day 0), or after a delay of 7 or 14 d, indicated whether differences in the history of introductions affected interspecific competition. Other ponds contained H. crucifer alone, introduced on the same three dates, or B. woodhousii alone, introduced on the first or second date. These provided controls for seasonal differences in performance in the absence of competition from the other anuran species. Introductions of tadpoles at different times produced small differences in growth rates and larval periods when each anuran species occurred alone. In ponds containing both species, differences in the order and temporal separation of introductions had complex effects on the intensity of interspecific competition. When Bufo preceded Hyla, Hyla had prolonged larval periods and reduced mass and growth. When Hyla preceded Bufo, it was unaffected by Bufo. Hyla had no effects on Bufo, whether its introduction preceded or followed the introduction of Bufo. Asymmetric priority effects were not easily explained as a simple size-dependent com- petitive advantage of earlier arrivals. Early arrival increased the competitive impact of Bufo on Hyla, but failed to generate a competitive effect of Hyla on Bufo. Bufo tadpoles are more active than Hyla, and so may consume resources at higher rates that cannot be offset by a temporal advantage. Competition from Bufo was strongest when Hyla arrived 7 d later, suggesting that Hyla arriving 14 d after Bufo benefited from a longer period of reduced competition after Bufo metamorphosed from the ponds. The natural pattern, where Hyla breeds before or simultaneously with Bufo, permits Hyla to minimize competition from Bufo, while Bufo suffers no measurable cost from the size advantage obtained by competitively weaker Hyla tadpoles. Bufo may be prevented from breeding any earlier in the season by physiological constraints acting on eggs or breeding adults.
THE GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT II. The chemical nature of the diet

SUMMARY The stomach contents of 148 elephants, cropped at different times of the year, were analysed chemically as part of a programme of elephant research taking place in 1966 and 1967. On average these samples contained 8.4 g of protein, 1.5 g of fat, 43.5 g of carbohydrate, 35.7 g of fibre and 11.0 g of mineral material in 100 g of their dry matter. The percentage of protein during the dry season was less than half its value during the wet season and calculations suggest that these animals may be deficient in protein at this time. Calculations suggest that the intake of calcium is higher during the dry season than during the wet season, although it is argued that this is not a factor in inducing damage to trees. Analysis of the quality of the dietary fat showed it to contain relatively small amounts of essential poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
Influence of Cultural Practices on Soil Arthropods, Leaf Spot, Pod Damage, and Yield of Peanut in Northern Ghana

Abstract Experiments in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were conducted in northern Ghana, West Africa during 2003, 2004, and 2005 to determine interactions of cultivar, planting date, and weed management system on soil arthropod pest density, disease incidence, pod hull scarification and penetration from arthropod feeding, and pod yield. Experiments included four planting dates (28 May, 11 and 25 June, and 9 July), four cultivars (Chinese, Manipintar, JL 24, and RLRS-11), and three weed management systems (weeding four weeks, six weeks, or both four and six weeks after planting). The interaction of cultivar and planting date was significant for millipede (Peridontopyge spp.) density, penetrated pods, and pod yield. Cultivar and planting date affected density of white grubs (Schyzonicha spp.), termites (Microtermes and Odontotermes spp.), and wireworms (Elateridae); incidence of early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola Hori) and late leaf spot [Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Deighton]; and sc.
Weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean

Abstract: A soybean trait resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides along with glyphosate (Bolt™ soybean) has been developed. Information is needed to determine herbicide programs for weed control and crop safety in this new multiple herbicide–resistant soybean trait. The objectives of this study were to evaluate weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean with herbicide programs, including but not limited to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Field experiments were conducted near Clay Center, NE, USA, in 2016 and 2017. Herbicide programs with multiple sites-of-action including rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron in mixture with flumioxazin, flumioxazin/chlorimuron, pyroxasulfone, chlorimuron/metribuzin, or saflufenacil/imazethapyr plus dimethenamid-P provided 91%–97% control of common waterhemp, velvetleaf, and common lambsquarters. Rimsulfuron and (or) thifensulfuron resulted in 92%–97% control of velvetleaf and common lambsquarters and 81%–87% common waterhemp control at 21 d after pre-emergence (PRE) (DAPRE) herbicide application. Soybean injury was transient and varied from 3% to 11% at 21 DAPRE and 14 d after post-emergence (POST) (DAPOST) herbicide application without causing yield loss. At 30 and 60 DAPOST, 87%–97% velvetleaf control and 92%–98% common lambsquarters control was achieved with herbicide programs tested (PRE, POST, or PRE followed by POST). Common waterhemp control at 30 and 60 DAPOST was not consistent between years. Weed density and biomass reduction were mostly similar to weed control achieved. Untreated control resulted in the lowest soybean yield (1811 kg ha−1) in 2016 compared with 3406–4611 kg ha−1 in herbicide programs.
Zoogeography of the fishes of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin

Abstract The primary division ichthyofauna of the Tigris-Euphrates basin, encompassing the drainages of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their tributaries in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey, is listed and compared with that of neighbouring basins and with the Nile and Indus. It comprises 52 species in 7 families, dominated by the Cyprinidae with 34 species. There are no endemic families and endemism is at the species level. The fauna is a product of dispersal, principally from the north, with minor elements from Asia and possibly Africa.
The California closed cone pines (subsection Oocarpae Little and Critchfield): A taxonomic history and review

Of the seven pines that compose subsection Oocarpae (Little and Critchfield) in the genus Pinus, only the three Californian species form a coherent group, while the other four differ from each other and from the Californian species. Traits of the Californian species (Pinus radiata, P. muricata, P. attenuata) vary in complex geographic patterns, a situation that has led to nomenclatural confusion. Modern studies of genetic variation clarified some relationships among the taxa and uncovered other new problems. The taxonomic history and present status are reviewed and discussed. Monterey pine has been described as Pinus californiana, P. adunca, P. Montereyensis, P. monteragensis, P. Sinclairii, P, tuberculata, P. insignis, and P. radiata. Numerous varietal names for the mainland populations were described, then dropped. Current understanding of this species describes pines at Ano Nuevo, Monterey, and Cambria as P. radiata var. radiata, pines on Guadalupe Is. as P. radiata var. binata, and on Cedros Is. as P. rodiata var. cedrosensis. Complex variation in bishop pine led populations of that species to be called P. insignis, P. Edgariana, P. murrayana, P. contorta, and P. muricata. Present taxonomy describes central and southern populations as P. muricata var. muricata, populations north of (and including a few individuals at) Monterey as P. muricata var. borealis. The status of two cone variants, P. muricata var. stantonii and P. remorata is disputed on the basis of relationships among other traits. The latter appears to be a variant of bishop pine. Knobcone pine has been described as P. californica, P. tuberculata and P. attenuata. Only the latter name is currently used.
A New Locus for Early Maturity in Soybean

The genetic model for maturity in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] is a series of near-isogenic lines, but they do not span the natural variation for early maturity. The objectives of this study were to determine if a single gene in OT98-17 controls early maturity and if this is a new locus. A cross was made between 'Maple Presto' and OT98-17, an early-maturing Maple Presto-derived backcross line. A total of 201 F 3 progeny rows from this population and Maple Presto were grown at Ottawa, ON, in 1999. In 2000, F 4 progeny rows were grown and 150 late-maturing and 51 early-maturing families were observed to fit a 3:1 ratio (n = 201, X 2 = 0.01, P = 0.90). The early-maturing allele was transferred to a 'Harosoy' background, and isolines were grown from 2002 to 2006 at Ottawa, ON. The isolines were 9 and 6 d earlier maturing in Maple Presto and Harosoy backgrounds, respectively. To determine the independence of this locus, simple sequence repeat molecular markers were used to identify three candidate regions. The gene E8 specifically mapped to linkage group C1 between Sat_404 and Satt136. No other maturity gene has been mapped to this region. The two other candidate regions were both related to maturity quantitative trait loci on molecular linkage group L and may be inadvertently selected along with early maturity. The gene symbol E8e8 has been assigned by the Soybean Genetics Committee. E8E8 results in later maturity and e8e8 results in early maturity. The earliest Harosoy maturity isoline is now rated as maturity group 000.
Self-Assessment: The Role of the Social Environment

This study presents descriptive and causal evidence on the role of the social environment in shaping the accuracy of self-assessment. We introduce a novel incentivized measurement tool to measure the accuracy of self-assessment among children and use this tool to show that children from high socioeconomic status (SES) families are more accurate in their self-assessment, compared to children from low SES families. To move beyond correlational evidence, we then exploit the exogenous variation of participation in a mentoring program designed to enrich the social environment of children. We document that the mentoring program has a causal positive effect on the accuracy of children’s self-assessment. Finally, we show that the mentoring program is most effective for children whose parents provide few social and interactive activities for their children.
The circumscription and concept of Hordeum (Poaceae) based on some leaf epidermal characteristics

The leaf epidermises of 15 taxa of Hordeum, Psathyrostachys, and Hordelymus were examined under the light microscope. It was found that these taxa are not identical in the lower epidermal characteristics. Their greatest difference is shown in the intercostal zones of the lower epidermis between the group constituted by the cultivated barley and its close wild relatives and the group constituted by the wild species of Hordeum and the taxa of Psathyrostachys and Hordelymus. The former has conspicuously elongated long-cells, large and usually 2-banded stomata, and has nearly no short-cells and prickle-hairs; whereas the latter has none or slightly elongated long-cells, relatively small and 2- to many-banded stomata, and the presence of short-cells and prickle-hairs. Moreover, the wild species of Hordeum, which belong to the latter group, differ from the taxa of Psathyrostachys and Hordelymus by the number of rows of long-cells in the intercostal zones and the quantity of short-cells. It was demonstrated that the wild species of Hordeum must be independent as Critesion, and the circumscription of Hordeum only includes the cultivated barley and its close wild relatives. This study therefore redefined the circumscription and concept of Hordeum.
Assessment of Two Point Discrimination on Hand in Adult Population: An Observational Study

Background: The normal ability to distinguish two points from one is the two point discrimination sense. Two point discrimination is extensively used clinically in evaluating injuries to the nerves that supply hands & to assess outcome of surgical manipulations such as digital replantation, skin grafting and peripheral nerve repairs. Normative values are extremely useful in interpreting test result from sensory assessments. Method: A total of 100 patients (50 males & 50females) are assessed to find out normative values using asthesiometer to assess tactile sensitivity in normal individuals, ranging from age 40-59 years. The normative values were calculated on five digits of both hand, midpalm, thenar, hypothenar & dorsum of hand regions. Results: The two point discrimination values vary according to different regions of hand. According to the study values for digits are between range of 3-5mm while for other hand regions they are like for midpalm region 12-13mm, for thenar 11-12mm, for hypothenar 11-13mm & for dorsum of hand 15-17mm. Conclusion: The study concluded that fingertips were more sensitive than midpalm, thenar, hypothenar regions & dorsum of hand & women have more two point discrimination ability than men.
Range‐wide ecological niche comparisons of parasite, hosts and dispersers in a vector‐borne plant parasite system

To test whether the distribution of the mistletoe Phoradendron californicum is mediated by host distributions (host niche hypothesis, HNH), or by factors such as the mistletoe's autecology (parasite niche hypothesis, PNH) or that of its vectors (vector niche hypothesis, VNH). Our null hypothesis is that the ecological niche of the mistletoe will not be distinct from that of its hosts or vectors; alternatively, mistletoe infections might appear in hosts only in regions where host distributions overlap suitable conditions for the parasite.
Influence of rumen-protected methionine and lysine on growing cattle fed forage and corn based diets

Microbial protein in ruminants may be inadequate to support desirable levels of performance if the diet does not supply sufficient amounts of intestinally absorbable amino acids. Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of RPM and/or a combination of RPM and RPL on ADG, serum metabolites, and DMI of calves fed diets based on forage or corn (Zea mays, L.). In Exp. 1, 36 steers were fed alfalfa/fescue (Medicago sativa [L.], Festuca spp. [L.]) hay plus one of three supplemental treatments for 28 d: (i) wheat (Triticum aestivum [L.] em. Thell.) middling basal supplement (WM); (ii), WM + 0.07 oz of RPM (RPM2); or (iii) WM + 0.14 oz of RPM (RPM4). Although there were no overall differences (P > 0.05) in ADG among treatments, there was a numerical trend (P 0.05) among treatments, ADG of RPML1 and RPML2 treatments was increased (P < 0.05) by 9 and 8%, respectively, over the control, during the 58-d period. In Exp. 3, 24 Holstein heifers grazed Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pasture and were fed one of four supplements: (i) soyhulls (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) and cracked corn (control); (ii) control + 0.07 oz of RPM (RPMI); (iii) control + 0.07 oz and 0.25 oz of RPM and RPL (RPML); or (iv) control + 3.5 oz of blood meal (BM). Heifers had greater (P = 0.005) ADG and DMI (P = 0.03) for the first 30 d as compared with the second 30 d. Serum methionine was greater (P = 0.01) for RPML than control and BM treatments. These data suggest that lysine and methionine were the first limiting amino acids in corn/corn silage-based diets but not for heifers grazing tall fescue.
Efficient Inaccuracy: User-Generated Information Sharing in a Queue

We study a service system that does not have the capability of monitoring and disclosing its real-time congestion level. However, the customers can observe and post their observations online, and future arrivals can take into account such user-generated information when deciding whether to go to the service facility. We perform pairwise comparisons of the shared, full, and no queue-length information structures in terms of social welfare. Perhaps surprisingly, we show that the shared queue-length information may provide greater social welfare than full queue-length information when the hassle cost of the customers entering the service facility falls into some ranges, and the shared and full queue-length information structures always generate greater social welfare than no queue-length information. Therefore, the discrete disclosure of congestion through user-generated sharing can lead to as much, or even greater, social welfare as the continuous stream of real-time queue-length information disclosure and always generates greater social welfare than no queue-length information disclosure at all. These results imply that a little shared queue-length information—inaccurate and lagged—can go a long way and that it may be more socially beneficial to encourage the sharing of user-generated information among customers than to provide them with full real-time queue-length information. This paper was accepted by Terry Taylor, operations management.
Phytosociology of wadi system west of Qusseir province

Twelve wadis proliferate in the area surveyed drain this part of the Red Sea mountains into the Sea at Qusseir province. Phytosociological study of these wadis is based on the analysis of 55 stands using the Zuarich-Montpellier technique. The vegetation survey revealed the prevailance of perennials in this area. Two distinct community types are recognized in the stands studied in the investigated wadis, each of which seems to have its own ecological characteristics especially concerning the water factor. The community type dominated by Capparis decidua and Tamarix nilotica covering the deltaic areas and the end parts of the wadis traversing the inland basement complex country. Some members of this community type are halophytic plants. The other community type dominated by Pulicaria undulata and Pulicaria crispa was found inhabiting most of the wadis courses especially the high localities. Members of this community type reflect the prevailing xerophytic conditions. Elements of the alliance Zygophyllaeion coccini previously recognized in other wadis of this desert are well represented in these wadis. Within the area surveyed, the individuals of most species covered in this study exhibit a wide range of variation in size and vitality. These differences are related mainly to differences in water resources. Zwolf fruchtbare Wadis des betrachteten Gebiets entwassern diesen Teil des Rote-Meer-Gebirges der Provinz Qusseir. Auf der Basis der Zurich-Montpellier-Methode werden 55 Bestande dieser Wadis nach phytosoziologischen Gesichtspunkten untersucht. Der Uberblick uber die Vegetation zeigt fur diese Region eine Vorherrschaft der ausdauernden Pflanzen. Zwei verschiedene Typen von Pflanzengesellschaften lassen sich in den untersuchten Bestanden unterscheiden, dabei scheint jede in bezug auf den Feuchtigkeitsfaktor ihre eigene okologische Charakteristik zu besitzen. Die Pflanzengesellschaft mit der Dominanz von Capparis decidua und Tamaris nilotica bedeckt die Deltazonen und den Endbereich der Wadis, die den Grundgebirgskomplex im Landesinnern durchschneiden. Einige Glieder dieses Gesellschaftstyps sind halophytische Pflanzen. Der zweite Typ der Pflanzengesellschaften wird von Pulicaria undulata und Pulicaria crispa bestimmt und wurde in den Wadis besonders in den hoher gelegenen Lokalitaten angetroffen. Glieder dieses Typs widerspiegeln die xerophytischen Lebensbedingungen. Elemente der Alliance Zygophyllaeion coccini, fruher bereits in anderen Wadis dieser Wuste beobachtet, sind auch hier gut reprasentiert. Die Individuen der meisten im Untersuchungsgebiet nachgewiesenen Arten besitzen eine weite Amplitude in Grose und Anpassungsfahigkeit. Diese Unterschiede werden im wesentlichen den Schwankungen des Wasserdargebots geschuldet.
Conditions de germination et rôle des herbivores dans la dispersion et le recrutement d'une espèce clonale : Juncus gerardi Lois.

The finding of new individuals of a clonal plant, Juncus gerardi, raised the question of modalities for the colonization of new sites by this species. Indeed, the existence of seedlings has not been observed in the field, nor reported in the literature for European marshes. Among the parameters limiting recruitment, we examined the soil seed bank, which appeared extremely small. Many seeds could be found in bovine feces but few were found in equine feces. Futhermore, bovines are not only important for seed dispersion, but also for the improvement of the germinative capacities: the seed germination rate of Juncus gerardi was doubled after digestive transit. Germination testing showed that this species is largely tolerant to salinity (from 0 to 26,4 mS·cm-1). The germination rate was maximal with a thermoperiod of 10-20°C but null for a 0-10°C thermoperiod. Germination was improved by immersion and was light dependent. The critical phase for colonization success in new habitats could be primarily seedling s.