Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability of partial resistance in potato cultivars exposed to aggressive strains of Phytophthora infestans

Potato cultivars were evaluated for their resistance responses to aggressive strains of Phytophthora infestans in field and laboratory experiments. Analysis of variance revealed differential cultivar-by-isolate interactions for both foliar and tuber blight resistance. Differential responses occur as revealed by specific susceptibilities of cultivars to certain pathogen genotypes and changing rank order. In general, severity of late blight epidemics as observed in the haulms did not correlate well with foliar blight resistance ratings as presented in the National List of Recommended Potato Varieties. No significant correlation was found between tuber blight incidence under field conditions and the tuber blight rating in the National List. Also, there was no relation between the field and laboratory tuber blight resistance assessments. A significant association was demonstrated between late blight infection in the foliage and tuber blight incidence under field conditions. The presence of differential interaction, independent of R-gene-based resistance, indicates some adaptation of P. infestans to partial resistance and consequently adverse effects on the stability and durability of partial resistance to potato late blight.
The Growth Promoting Properties of Menhaden Fish Oil as Influenced by Various Fats

Abstract The use of fats in practical poultry feeds has become an accepted practice and Hill et al. (1958) have reviewed the literature relative to the growth promoting properties of a wide variety of fat products including corn oil, cottonseed oil, lard, yellow grease, and feed grade tallow. While there is general agreement that fats elicit their growth promoting and feed efficiency benefits by increasing the energy content of the diet, research evidence is available to indicate that under certain conditions, at least, the beneficial effects of added fats cannot be explained solely on the basis of increased energy content of the diet. (Dam et al., 1959; Hopkins et al., 1960) More recently research attention has been directed towards the study of the metabolic effects of specific fats and fat combinations. Edwards et al. (1961) demonstrated that Menhaden fish oil and safflower oil gave equal growth stimulation when added to a …
Aphanomyces astaci pathogenicity under laboratory and field conditions

The high pathogenicity of Aphanomyces astaci to susceptible crayfish has often been mentioned but not well investigated in publications on crayfish plague. This paper presents a study of that pathogenicity and considers the relationships between size of zoospore challenge and challenge temperature, which results in the extremely complex series of pathologies which comprise crayfish plague.
Patterns of species richness among North Carolina hardwood forests: tests of two hypotheses

The number of species (species richness) and 13 soil variables were determined in 30 0.1 ha plots in the Duke Forest, Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina, in order to test whether variability in species richness can be accounted for by the environmental variability hypothesis, or the sampling effect hypothesis. The environmental variability hypothesis predicts a positive correlation between the vari- ance in factors which are ecologically important and species richness. However, the variabilities of environmental factors are unrelated to richness. The sampling effect hypothesis predicts that more rare species will be found in species-rich sites. However, as richness increases, the number of species in all abundance classes increases. Both the environmental variability hypothesis and the sampling effect hypothesis are therefore unlikely to account for the substantial variability in species richness which exists in the Duke Forest.
Fin erosion in a feral population of goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent

The prevalence of acute and healed fin erosion in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), from the Waikato River, New Zealand, peaked in the vicinity of a pulp and paper mill which utilized a kraft pulping process in association with chlorine bleaching, and decreased down the effluent gradient. About 49% of goldfish sampled from the Kopakorahi Stream. which is part of the effluent treatment system (site 1), displayed pathological signs of fin erosion, whereas about 9% of control fish from a reference site located upstream of the official effluent discharge point were similarly affected. Fin erosion was less prevalent in male than in female goldfish, and occurred with different frequencies on different fins, the pectoral (56%) and caudal fins (33%) being most affected. Both the pectoral and caudal fins also had significantly higher proportions of healed erosion rather than acute erosion. The prevalence of acute and healed fin erosion increased significantly with increasing fish length (age). Physical deformities, predominantly in the form of eroded or otherwise malformed opercula, were found in nearly 5% of fish caught at site 1, but were not observed at the reference site. Changes in processing and bleaching technology at the pulp and paper mill in question have since been carried out, and long-term studies arc planned to monitor any subsequent improvements in fish health.
Morphological studies of tarso-metatarsus and digits in emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

The tarso-metatarsus was long bone and it is almost equal to tibio-tarsal length. The first tarso-metatarsus was absent in Emu. Proximal extremity had two concave articular facets namely the medial and lateral condyles of tibotarsaus. The planter surface had hypotarsus in the form of spine. The distal extremity had three convex articular trochleae, which represented the 2nd, 3rd and 4th digits, respectively. There was totally three digits in the leg and the number of phalanges in each digit were equal to one more than the serial number of the corresponding digits. The third digit was the longest and largest of all, the next longest was the second digit. The proximal articular extremity of all phalanges were divided by a sagittal ridge giving rise to two areas making it saddle shaped with the medial one largest. The last phalanx of all digits were prismatic short bones leading to claw formation which was enclosed in a horny covering.
Precision of Assessment of Animal Welfare by the 'TGI 35 L' Austrian Needs Index

Consumers increasingly seek the produce of animal-friendly farming systems. In Austria farming subsidies are often linked to the guarantee of proper animal welfare on farms. Thus it is necessary to have an instrument for assessing animal welfare reliably. In Austria this assessment is undertaken using the animal needs index TGI 35 L. The research project described in this paper investigates the precision of TGI 35 L assessments. TGI scores were assessed several times on 12 dairy farms by different persons and in two investigations. The repeatability between persons was 94%. This means that animal welfare can be assessed sufficiently precisely by making one assessment per farm. The precision of the assessment could be further improved by regular training of assessors and by incorporating the results of experience gained into the index instructions.
Mesozooplankton biomass in the Celtic Sea: a first approach to comparing and combining CPR and LHPR data

Zooplankton biomass varies on temporal, horizontal and vertical scales. However, data sets which incorporate all these dimensions at high resolution are very rare. Two devices which measure all these aspects have recently been simultaneously deployed in the Celtic Sea, the continuous plankton recorder (CPR) and the Longhurst–Hardy plankton recorder (LHPR). This demonstrates that integrated biomass derived from the LHPR are not significantly different from those derived using the CPR. Values have, therefore, been combined for the first time to describe the vertical distribution of mesozooplankton biomass at the Celtic Sea shelf edge through an annual cycle. This suggests that the surface biomass peak is broader at the shelf break than in the open ocean and in the autumn the main biomass peak may be below the depth sampled by the CPR.
Comparing decompositions of Poincaré duality pairs

Analogues of JSJ decompositions were developed for Poincare duality pairs in [19]. These decompositions depend only on the group. Our focus will be on describing the edge splittings of these decompositions more precisely. We use our results to compare these decompositions with two other closely related decompositions.
Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity

Field experiments were carried out at seven sites in southern Australia from 2002 to 2006 to measure changes in plant frequency, root characteristics and summer activity for a range of grass and herb species or cultivars. Annual rainfall during the experimental period was on average 75 mm lower than the long-term average. Plant frequency differed significantly between species and between sites. Temperate grasses generally had higher frequencies than subtropical grasses, native grasses and herbs. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cvv. Currie, Porto), tall wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum cv. Dundas), winter-active tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cvv. Fraydo, Resolute MaxP) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cvv. Atlas PG, Australian) were the most persistent of the temperate perennial species over the experimental period. The frequency of most cultivars declined from year 2 to year 4 after establishment, but the frequency of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum cv.Whittet) and wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia richardsonii cv. Taranna) increased by over 5% from year 2 to year 3, and cocksfoot (cv. Currie) increased from year 3 to year 4. At two sites where measurements were made, there were significant differences in rooting depth between species. Whittet kikuyu was the deepest among all species with a rooting depth of up to 2 m, followed by phalaris, tall fescue, grazing brome (Bromus stamineus) and tall wheat grass. Root density was affected by plant genotype and soil structure. Root density of the species varied significantly in the subsoil (0.1–1.1 m) and deeper subsoil (1.1–2 m) but not in the topsoil (0–0.1 m). Green-leafiness over summer was generally higher for subtropical grasses, native grasses, herbs and some summer-active temperate grasses, than most temperate grasses with high summer dormancy.
THE BARBALOIN CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTION IN ALOE ARBORESCENS LEAVES ACCORDING TO THE LEAF PART, AGE, POSITION, AND SEASON

ABSTRACT The distribution of the secondary phenolic compound, barbaloin, in Aloe arborescens leaves depends on the leaf part, age, and position of the leaf, as well as on seasonal influences. Young and old leaves of A. arborescens were cut from plants monthly and the exudate was immediately freeze-dried. The barbaloin levels were determined spectrophotometrically at λmax, 360–362 nm after separation by TLC. In all leaves the tissue of the basal third of the leaf had the lowest barbaloin content, the upper third contained the highest percentage, and the middle part contained the intermediate percentage. After cutting young leaves, the new basal part that grows after replanting has a higher barbaloin content after about five months when compared with the same part before cutting. In the 16 leaves of a cutting rooted two years before the experiment, the highest barbaloin content was found in the four upper young leaves (63%). In all the other leaves the barbaloin content was found to be only between 13 and 2.
A high‐fat diet generates alterations in nuclear receptor expression: Prevention by vitamin A and links with cyclooxygenase‐2 and β‐catenin

Epidemiologic studies suggest that intake of high energy from fat, inducing overweight, increases the risk of cancer development and promotes colon carcinogenesis. It is therefore important to understand which parameters are affected early on by a high‐fat diet in order to devise and improve protective nutritional strategies. We investigated the effect of high energy/fat intake on colon mucosa of male Wistar rats induced by a single 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection. Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were numbered and modifications in cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and β‐catenin levels assessed. Peroxisome proliferator– and retinoic acid–activated receptors (PPAR and RAR, RXR) are key transcription factors regulating gene expression in response to nutrient‐activated signals. A short‐term study was designed to evaluate whether alterations in mRNA expression of nuclear receptors can be detected at the beginning of the weight gain phase induced by an appetizing hyperlipidic diet (HLD). HLD consumption induced early downregulation of PPARγ (−33.1%) and RARβ (−53.1%) mRNA expression concomitant with an increase in levels of COX‐2 (+45.5%) and β‐catenin (+84.56%) and in the number of ACF (191.56 ± 88.60 vs. 21.14 ± 11.64, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that HLD increases ACF occurrence, possibly through alterations in the mRNA expression profile of nuclear receptors. Moreover, the use HLD rich in retinyl esters or supplemented with all‐trans retinoic acid led to a reduction in the number of ACF. Vitamin A also prevented HLD‐induced alterations and the increase in levels of COX‐2 and β‐catenin. The present observations show a protective role for vitamin A against disturbances associated with HLD exposure in induced colon carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alien Grass Invasion and Fire In the Seasonal Submontane Zone of Hawai'i

Island ecosystems are notably susceptible to biological invasions (Elton 1958), and the Hawaiian islands in particular have been colonized by many introduced species (Loope and Mueller-Dombois 1989). Introduced plants now dominate extensive areas of the Hawaiian Islands, and 86 species of alien plants are presently considered to pose serious threats to Hawaiian communities and ecosystems (Smith 1985). Among the most important invasive plants are several species of tropical and subtropical grasses that use the C4 photosynthetic pathway. These grasses now dominate extensive areas of dry and seasonally dry habitats in Hawai'i. They may compete with native species, and they have also been shown to alter hydrological properties in the areas they invade (MuellerDombois 1973). Most importantly, alien grasses can introduce fire into areas where it was previously rare or absent (Smith 1985), thereby altering the structure and functioning of previously native-dominated ecosystems. Many of these grasses evolved in fire-affected areas and have mechanisms for surviving and recovering rapidly from fire (Vogl 1975, Christensen 1985), while most native species in Hawai'i have little background with fire (Mueller-Dombois 1981) and hence few or no such mechanisms. Consequently, grass invasion could initiate a grass/fire cycle whereby invading grasses promote fire, which in turn favors alien grasses over native species. Such a scenario has been suggested in a number of areas, including Latin America, western North America, Australia, and Hawai'i (Parsons 1972, Smith 1985, Christensen and Burrows 1986, Mack 1986, MacDonald and Frame 1988). In most of these cases, land clearing by humans initiates colonization by alien grasses, and the grass/fire cycle then leads to their persistence. In Hawai'i and perhaps other areas, however, grass invasion occurs without any direct human intervention. Where such invasions initiate a grass/fire cy-
Metagenomics-Guided Discovery of Potential Bacterial Metallothionein Genes from the Soil Microbiome That Confer Cu and/or Cd Resistance

The metagenomics-guided procedure developed here bypasses the difficulties encountered in classic PCR-based approaches and led to the discovery of novel MT genes, which may be useful in developing bioremediation tools. The procedure used here expands our knowledge on the diversity of bacterial MTs in the environment and may also be applicable to identify other functional genes from eDNA. ABSTRACT Metallothionein (MT) genes are valuable genetic materials for developing metal bioremediation tools. Currently, a limited number of prokaryotic MTs have been experimentally identified, which necessitates the expansion of bacterial MT diversity. In this study, we conducted a metagenomics-guided analysis for the discovery of potential bacterial MT genes from the soil microbiome. More specifically, we combined resistance gene enrichment through diversity loss, metagenomic mining with a dedicated MT database, evolutionary trace analysis, DNA chemical synthesis, and functional genomic validation to identify novel MTs. Results showed that Cu stress induced a compositional change in the soil microbiome, with an enrichment of metal-resistant bacteria in soils with higher Cu concentrations. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed to obtain the gene pool of environmental DNA (eDNA), which was subjected to a local BLAST search against an MT database for detecting putative MT genes. Evolutional trace analysis led to the identification of 27 potential MTs with conserved cysteine/histidine motifs different from those of known prokaryotic MTs. Following chemical synthesis of these 27 potential MT genes and heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, six of them were found to improve the hosts’ growth substantially and enhanced the hosts’ sorption of Cu, Cd, and Zn, among which MT5 led to a 13.7-fold increase in Cd accumulation. Furthermore, four of them restored Cu and/or Cd resistance in two metal-sensitive E. coli strains. IMPORTANCE The metagenomics-guided procedure developed here bypasses the difficulties encountered in classic PCR-based approaches and led to the discovery of novel MT genes, which may be useful in developing bioremediation tools. The procedure used here expands our knowledge on the diversity of bacterial MTs in the environment and may also be applicable to identify other functional genes from eDNA.
Determinants of Hedging and their Impact on Firm Value and Risk: After Controlling for Endogeneity Using a Two-stage Analysis

Purpose – In this study, we investigate determinants of hedging with derivatives and its effect on firm value and firm risk for Korean firms. <br><br>Design/methodology – To avoid the endogeneity problem pointed out in previous studies, we use a two-stage analysis by using gains and losses from derivatives as instrument variable for hedging with derivatives. <br><br>Findings – Our analysis on the determinants of hedging shows that firms that are more leveraged and less profitable, and with more growth opportunities are likely to hedge through derivatives. Additionally, large firms, firms less diversified into industry, and firms more diversified geographically are likely to use derivatives. Our two-stage analysis shows that indicators of hedging with derivatives have an insignificant effect on firm value, and the indicator of futures/forwards use and of swaps use have significant negative effect on firm value. Whereas, the extent of hedging with derivatives has positive effect on firm value for all types of foreign currency derivatives, which suggests that moderately low hedgers use derivatives inefficiently, but extensive hedgers use derivatives properly. With regard to firm risk, hedging with derivatives increases market-based risk, but decreases accounting-based risk. Thus, we conclude that Korean firms use derivatives to manage operational volatility rather than to manage market risk, and accounting-based risk reduction through hedging is not directly translated into higher firm value. <br><br>Originality/value – This is not the first study to investigate hedging behavior of Korean firms, but the sample period that that this study analyzed is the longest and various method are used to control the endogeneity problem. We investigate not only total foreign currency derivatives but also by types of derivatives, including futures/forwards, options, and swaps.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Andean genus Brachycladium Luer (syn. Oreophilus Higgins & Archila) and closely related genera based on nuclear ITS sequencing

We previously reported that nrITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed at least four cryptic species within Brachycladium nummularium (syn. Oreophilus nummularius ). Sequencing of additional species in the genus revealed two major clades within Brachycladium , the “nummularium”-complex plus B. stalactites and Luer’s section Amplectentes . Since the relationship of Brachycladium to Andinia had been noted earlier, a number of Andinia species were also included. Two clades were observed, a clade containing A. lappacea, A. pensilis, and A. vestigipetala that was closely related to Brachycladium and a second, more distantly related clade containing A. dalstroemii, A. pogonion , and A. schizopogon . Samples of two additional genera, Masdevalliantha Szlachetko & Margonska and Xenosia Luer, were included in the analysis based upon morphological similarity to Andinia. These two genera formed a clade that was sister to both Brachycladium and Andinia. Only the node subtending clades of all four genera had a high level of bootstrap support, whereas nodes subtending clades of Brachycladium plus Andinia, or Brachycladium alone, had much lower support. If future chloroplast sequencing produces phylogenies congruent with nrITS, this would indicate that Andinia, Brachycladium (syn. Oreophilus), Masdevalliantha, and Xenosia should all be placed in the same genus.
SEAWEED ANATOMY AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PERFORMANCE: THE ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LIGHT GUIGES, HETEROGENEOUS ABSORPTION AND MULTIPLE SCATTER 1 2

Light absorption by two green seaweeds with similar photophysiology but different anatomies are compared: i) Ulva lactuca var. rigida (C. Ag.) Le Jolis, an optically translucent species of two cell layers both bearing chloroplasts; and, ii) Codium fragile subsp. tomentosoides (van Goor) Silva, an optically opaque species with a colorlelss medulla surrounded by a cortex of choloroplast‐bearing utriclels. Thallus absorptance (fraction of incident light absorbed) was measured for various pigment contents. Absorptance by U. lactuca was dependent on pigment concentration in an exponential manner and never exceeded 0.6, whereas absorptance by C. fragile was independent of pigment concentration and always approached a balue of 1.0. Water in the medullary tissue of C. fragile is often of the utricles. The utricles appear to be “integrating spheres” enhancing the capture of incident light, aided by the wave‐guide function of the thin peripheral layer of cytoplasm and a reflector function at their base. Photosynthitic performance for U. lactuca saturates at high light intensities and attenuates rapidly with decreasing intensities. In contrast, photosynthetic performance for C. fragile saturates at low light intensities and attenuates slowly with diminishing radiation. Extrapolated diel variation in photosynthesis shows that U. lactuca's anatomy is adaptive for high light intensity environments, whereas C. fragile's anatomy is adaptive for low light intensity environments. Both seaweeds fit into the ecological category of “fugitive” species, and compete in the Long Island Sound (Atlantic Ocean) rocky intertidal for free‐space. Predictions are presented for relative species abundances along a monotonic gradient of light intensity.
BINDING OF PEPSIN-TREATED HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN TO THE BACTERIAL CELL SURFACE : AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

A fibrous substance was consistently observed on the cell surface of bacteria, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus, after incubation with a pepsin-treated human immunoglobulin. Chemical component of the fibrous substance was studied by an immunocytochemical technique. The major component of the fibrous substance was demonstrated to be human immunoglobulin.