Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the activity of mosquito control agent (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis)

For toxicity, B. thuringiensis must be taken into the larval midgut, where a community of other bacteria is already present. The culturable flora from the Aedes aegypti mosquito midgut was analysed and its role in larval growth and insect mortality was determined. In contrast to published reports concerning B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, subsp. israelensis caused toxicity and larval death even in the absence of other bacteria. The pBtoxis plasmid of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis encodes all the mosquitocidal toxins and a number of other coding sequences. The potential effects of selected genes on host phenotype was assessed. No evidence was found for antibiotic production from putative antibiotic synthesis genes. The plasmid also carries potential germination genes organised in a single ger operon. Comparison of the germination responses of spores from strains with and without pBtoxis revealed that this plasmid could promote activation of the spores under alkaline conditions but not following heat treatment. Introduction of the ger operon on a recombinant plasmid to the plasmidless strain established this operon as the first with an identified role in alkaline activation. Mosquito midgets provide an alkaline environment and in which enhanced germination may occur. Co-feeding experiments showed that in competition to colonise intoxicated A. aegypti larvae, B. thuringiensis carrying pBtoxis, are able to outgrow the plasmid-cured strain. This indicates a selective advantage for the presence of pBtoxis. The strain carrying the recombinant ger genes also outgrew its plasmidless parent, indicating that the ger genes may be responsible for this effect, perhaps by allowing strains a head-start by germinating more rapidly in the insect gut.
Measuring Success: Evaluating the Restoration of a Grassy Eucalypt Woodland on the Cumberland Plain, Sydney, Australia

Abstract We compared the floristic composition and structure of restoration areas of eucalypt woodland with untreated pasture (control) and remnant vegetation (reference) in western Sydney. The restored areas comprised over 1,000 ha of abandoned pasture, which had been treated to reduce weeds and planted with seedlings of 26 native plant species raised from seed obtained locally from remnant vegetation. Plantings were carried out 0–9 years ago. Floristic composition was measured in quadrats using frequency scores and cover abundance. As far as possible treatments and restoration ages were replicated across sites. Ordination and analyses of similarity failed to distinguish the composition of restored vegetation from that of untreated pasture, which were both significantly different from that of remnant vegetation. There was a weak compositional trend with age of restored vegetation, but this was not in the direction of increasing resemblance to remnant vegetation. There was some evidence for convergence in structural features of restored with remnant vegetation, but this was at least partly attributed to plant growth. Subject to constraints imposed by the sampling design, environmental factors, and spatial variation were discounted as explanations for the results. The results therefore suggest either failure of restoration treatments or a restoration trajectory that is too slow to detect within 10 years of establishment. Our conclusions agree with those of similar studies in other ecosystems and support: (1) the need to monitor restoration projects against ecological criteria with rigorous sampling designs and analytical methods, (2) further development of restoration methods, and (3) regulatory approaches that seek to prevent damage to ecosystems rather than those predicated on replacing losses with reconstructed ecosystems.
Fecundity Changes in Exploited Populations of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

This report considers the possibility that exploited populations of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) may show increased individual fecundity. Average fecundity of both species in three exploited lakes varied significantly between 1972 and 1976, while fecundity in an adjacent unexploited lake did not vary. Changes in the fecundity of whitefish and trout in the exploited lakes were not clearly related to the pattern and intensity of exploitation, but fecundity of both species increased in all exploited lakes after exploitation, with trout showing the greater response. Key words: fecundity, lake whitefish, lake trout, exploitation, northern Canada
Mare milk nitrogen fractions during lactation and determination by reversed-phase HPLC of the major whey proteins

The aim of this research was to describe the changes of the nitrogen fractions in milk of Haflinger nursing mares and in particular to determine the whey protein content and distribution, and their evolution throughout the first 6 mo of lactation. Samples were collected by hand-milking on days 4, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120, 150 and 180 post-partum. Nitrogen fractions were determined by Kjeldahl on 80 samples from 10 mares, while HPLC separation of whey proteins was conducted on 40 samples from 5 mares. The total N, casein N, and true whey protein N contents showed a statistically significant decrease from day 4 to day 40, and then remained unvaried. In general, the nitrogen distribution of mare’s milk significantly changed between day 4 and day 20 and then remained almost unchanged until day 180 (except for the day 150 value, which showed a statistically significant increase for CN × 100/TN). β-Lactoglobulin and serum albumin contents showed a marked reduction, of 27 and 45.5%, respectively, between day 4 and da.
Drug development and research in New Zealand: policies affecting the industry

Many countries employ a range of policies to support their drug development industry. The support is primarily because of the perceived potential benefits from wealth creation, employment, and international trade related to a high‐technology industry. New Zealand (NZ) has a growing drug development industry; this article reports on the results of interviews with people representing the industry. The NZ industry reported that government policies that included funding of scientific, medical, and drug development research, a robust regulatory system, and strong patent laws have created a cluster of expertise for specialized drug development services. This is similar to those that have been reported to encourage the biotechnology industries of many countries. Threats to the industry in NZ include insufficient funding, small industry size, insufficient supportive policies, and stakeholders' lack of understanding of the industry. These barriers differ from those of developing countries such as China and India, probably because NZ's industry is built on its scientific and medical research rather than its manufacturing capability. The specific policies requested to further support the NZ industry include increased government investment, improved management of funding, and support for research, education, and career development. Drug Dev Res 73: 1–10, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of a foliar spray containing phosphorus and zinc on the development, composition and yield of forage maize

Forage maize grown in areas where spring temperatures are low and accumulated heat is limited will be restricted in terms of maturity and thus nutritional value. A stagnant growth phase is commonly caused by low temperatures between germination and the five-leaf stage, which could be caused by reduced mineral availability. The effects on maize plant development and harvest characteristics of supplying phosphorus and zinc to young plants in a foliar spray were investigated. Three different application dates, between the four-leaf and the seven-leaf stage, were compared. Applying the phosphorus and zinc foliar spray at the four-leaf stage resulted in a significant (P < 0·05) increase in starch content at harvest. Cob index [proportion of plant dry matter (DM) in the cob] was increased (P < 0·05) by applying the nutrient spray at the four-, five- and seven-leaf stages. However, there was no effect on DM yield, suggesting some alteration in partitioning within the plant.
Desenvolvimento e composição corporal de alevinos de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes fontes de lipídios

Three sources of lipids, canola oil (T1), cod liver oil (T2), and swine fat (T3), were tested in experimental rations for juveniles of jundia (Rhamdia quelen), representing 5% of their diet. A completely randomized design with three treatments (T) and three repetitions was used. The performance and the carcass yield were not affected by the three lipids. The lipids sources influenced the protein (high value on T1) and fat (high value on T3) deposition in the carcass.
THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SEVERAL HERBIVOROUS BEETLES IN A TROPICAL AGROECOSYSTEM: THE EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING CORN, BEANS AND SQUASH IN COSTA RICA

SUMMARY The population dynamics of six species of chrysomelid beetle pests (Diabrotica, Acalymma and Cerotoma) were studied in monocrops, dicrops and tricrops of maize, beans and squash for three seasons in Costa Rica. The beetles include both generalist and specialist species and they damage the plants by consuming the flowers and leaves, by transmitting viral and fungal diseases, and by eating the roots of the plants. The numbers of beetles per unit plant biomass were determined at approximately six sampling times each season (for each crop type in each treatment). Whenever an intercrop contained at least one non-host plant for a given beetle species, the numbers of that beetle species per host plant in the intercrop were significantly reduced relative to the numbers in the monocrop. This pattern was generally observed for each of the species 40 and 60 days after planting and continued until the end of the season when the differences in the numbers of beetles per host plant between monocrops and intercrops were sometimes tenfold. In the cases when a given beetle species fed on both crop types in a dicrop and when there was no non-host plant present, the general intercrop effect was usually reversed: the numbers of beetles were significantly greater on one or both of the host plants in the dicrop relative to the numbers on the respective monocrops. The differences in beetle abundance appear to have been caused by differences in plant species richness of the plots per se rather than by differences in host plant or total plant density between the different treatments. Laboratory studies showed that beetles preferred to eat the more diseased squash leaves growing in the intercrops than the healthier leaves in the monocrops, so the decreased beetle abundance in intercrops does not conform with apparent differences in leaf palatability. Within squash monocrops the number of adult beetles was only weakly correlated with the size of individual plants. There were significantly more of several beetle species per unit squash biomass on smaller than larger plants so factors besides size of plant are important in determining beetle abundance within one cropping system. The effect of beetle damage could not be separated from the effects of root and shoot interactions of the crops. Yet considering the mechanisms and time at which the beetles typically cause economic damage to the crops, it is possible that decreased beetle abundance contributed to greater yields of the intercrops. The traditional practice of intercropping may therefore be a cultural method of pest control.
Nutrient changes in the Mississippi River and system responses on the adjacent continental shelf

The Mississippi River system ranks among the world's top 10 rivers in freshwater and sediment inputs to the coastal ocean. The river contributes 90% of the freshwater loading to the Gulf of Mexico, and terminates amidst one of the United States' most productive fisheries regions and the location of the largest zone of hypoxia, in the western Atlantic Ocean. Significant increases in riverine nutrient concentrations and loadings of nitrate and phosphorus and decreases in silicate have occurred this century, and have accelerated since 1950. Consequently, major alterations have occurred in the probable nutrient limitation and overall stoichiometric nutrient balance in the adjacent continental shelf system. Changes in the nutrient balances and reduction in riverine silica loading to, the continental shelf appear to have led to phytoplankton species shifts offshore and to an increase in primary production. The phytoplankton community response, as indicated by long-term changes in biological uptake of silicate and accumulation of biologically bound silica in sediments, has shown how the system has responded to changes in riverine nutrient loadings. Indeed, the accumulation of biologically bound silica in sediments beneath the Mississippi River plume increased during the past two decades, presumably in response to, increased nitrogen loading. The duration, size, and severity of hypoxia has probably increased as a consequence of the increased primary production. Management alternatives directed at water pollution issues within the Mississippi River watershed may have unintended and contrasting impacts on the coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Selection for reduced carbon isotope discrimination increases aerial biomass and grain yield of rainfed bread wheat

Genetic gain is characteristically slow when selecting directly for increased grain yield under water-limited conditions. Genetic increases in grain yield may be achieved through increases in aerial biomass following selection for greater transpiration efficiency (TE as aerial biomass/water transpired). Strong negative correlations between TE and carbon isotope discrimination (A) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) suggest that selection of progeny with low Δ may increase TE and aerial biomass under water-limited conditions. This study investigated how early generation, divergent selection for A affected aerial biomass and grain yield among 30 low- and 30 high-Δ, 'Hartog'-like, BC 2 F 4:6 progeny and the recurrent, high-A parent Hartog. Lines were evaluated in nine environments varying for seasonal rainfall (235-437 mm) and hence grain yield (1.3-6.2 Mg/ha). Selection for low A in early generation progeny was associated with significantly (P < 0.01) smaller Δ, higher grain yield (+5.8%), aerial biomass (+2.7%), harvest index (+3.3%), and kernel size (+4.8%) in tested lines. Kernel number was the same for low- and high-A selected groups. Grain yield advantage of the low Δ group increased with reductions in environment mean yield (r = -0.89, P < 0.01) and total seasonal rainfall (r = -0.85, P < 0.01) indicating the benefit of low Δ, and therefore high TE for genetic improvement of grain yield in lower rainfall environments. Narrow-sense heritability on a singleplot basis was much greater for A (h 2 = 0.63 ± 0.10) than for either aerial biomass (0.06 ± 0.05) or grain yield (0.14 ± 0.04). Strong genetic correlations between A and both aerial biomass (r g = -0.61 ± 0.14) and grain yield (-0.58 ± 0.12) suggest Δ could be used for indirect selection of these traits in early generations. Selection of low Δ (high TE) families for the advanced stages of multiple-environment testing should increase the probability of recovering higher-yielding wheat families for water-limited environments.
Detection and characterisation of novel fungal endophyte genotypic variation in cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Alkaloids produced by the perennial ryegrass pasture and turf grass endophyte Neotyphodium lolii confer both beneficial (insect feeding deterrence) and deleterious (mammalian herbivore toxicoses) effects. Novel endophyte strains with altered and desirable in planta metabolic profiles have been introduced into cultivars by inoculation. The potentially severe effects of contamination with standard toxic endophytes provide an important incentive for quality control during varietal development. Genotyping with expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in order to monitor endophyte content was evaluated in this study. The NEA2 endophyte, described as producing low levels of lolitrem B and moderate quantities of ergovaline and peramine, has been deployed in the cultivar (cv.) Tolosa and transferred to other proprietary varieties by crossing or controlled inoculation. In planta genotypic analysis of cv. Tolosa-derived plants revealed the presence of 2 distinct NEA2 genotypes (A and B). Variable proportions of NEA2 A and B were observed at different stages of cultivar multiplication, and NEA2 B was present in inoculated varieties. Several accessions also revealed the presence of a third genotype (C), identical to standard toxic types. Alkaloid measurement in plants containing individual A and B endophytes identified distinct profiles which collectively account for the average NEA2 profile. The C variant is apparently a contaminant arising from seed or adventitious seedlings during varietal multiplication or incomplete removal of endophyte from seed before inoculation. SSR-based genotyping provides an efficient means to continuously assess endophyte prevalence and identity in pasture grass breeding programs.
Aerial colonization and growth: rapid invertebrate responses to temporary aquatic habitats in a river floodplain

Abstract Floodplains of unregulated rivers alternate between aquatic and terrestrial phases, resulting in temporary aquatic habitats. If aquatic invertebrates are to take advantage of such habitats, they must be capable of rapid colonization and growth. Aerial immigration is one means of colonization and may include active dispersal by reproductive and nonreproductive adult insects and passive dispersal of other invertebrates. The aquatic invertebrate assemblage that could develop from aerial colonization during the time of a flood was investigated with floating colonization trays containing natural detritus and water on the water surface of a southeastern USA floodplain during 5 flooded periods in a year. Density and biomass of aquatic invertebrates that resulted from aerial colonization were measured after 17 d. Minimum growth rates and potential secondary production of several chironomid taxa were measured based on increases in larval size during this time period. Egg-mass collection trays, similar to colonization trays, were placed in the floodplain to estimate an egg-laying flux of chironomids (egg masses m−2 d−1) during the same 5 periods. Aquatic insects, including dipterans, ephemeropterans, and odonates, oviposited in trays during April, June, August, and November, but not January. Adult coleopterans and hemipterans colonized by nonreproductive immigration during June, August, and April. Noninsect invertebrates, such as microcrustaceans, nematodes, and water mites, colonized the trays during all months, apparently by hitchhiking or wind dispersal. The highest density of insects occurred in August (78,600 ind./m2) and the lowest in November (159 ind./m2). Chironomids had the highest relative abundance of insects in June and August (>75%), but did not colonize in November or January. Chironomids had minimum daily growth rates between 0.271 and 0.515/d, and chironomid secondary production ranged between 0 (November and January) and 230.9 mg m−2 d−1 (August). Egg-laying fluxes were similar in June (12 egg masses m−2 d−1) and August (6 egg masses m−2 d−1) but no chironomid egg masses were collected in November, January, or April. Aquatic invertebrates may arise from several sources (including recovery from dormancy or drift) in inundated floodplains, but aerial colonization and rapid growth rates alone can reestablish a diverse assemblage quickly, at least during warmer parts of the year. However, floodplains of regulated rivers managed for biological productivity should be inundated for a time period that enables colonization and completion of life cycles, a minimum of 2 wk for the fastest growing taxa.
Biogeochemical evidence for the presence of the angiosperm molecular fossil oleanane in Paleozoic and Mesozoic non-angiospermous fossils

Abstract Recent molecular phylogenetic and molecular clock data both suggest a pre-Mesozoic age for the divergence of the angiosperm lineage from other seed plants, greatly predating the confirmed fossil record of the angiosperm crown group. In addition, molecular phylogenetic studies have not supported the morphologically based conclusion that gnetophytes are the extant sister group to angiosperms. We examine these relationships and divergence ages by using a novel approach of examining the presence of oleanane. This includes the development of methods using zeolites to preferentially reduce hopanes that can co-elute with oleanane. The presence of this molecular fossil strongly correlates with angiosperm diversification; in its functionalized form, along with its triterpenoid precursors, it is found in many living angiosperms. Our data show that among non-angiosperm seed plants examined thus far, oleanane is found only in fossil Cretaceous Bennettitales and Permian Gigantopteridales, both of which share characteristics with angiosperms. Previous morphological phylogenetic results indicate Bennettitales could be a sister group to or member of the angiosperm stem lineage, and results of our preliminary phylogenetic analysis including the Gigantopteridales suggests the same. Our data, based on a new pyrolysis method to treat living species, support previous research indicating that oleanane and its precursors are absent in living gnetophytes. If oleanane originated once in seed plants then the angiosperm stem lineage would have diverged from other seed plant lineages by the late Paleozoic.
Seed fatty acid compositions of some Lathyrus taxa growing in Turkey

Abstract In the present study, fatty acid composition in mature seeds of the Lathyrus L. taxa were determined by using gas chromatography. Present results indicate that the seed oils of studied Lathyrus taxa have palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) as major saturated fatty acids. Moreover, the present data show that oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2 n 6) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n 3) are major unsaturated fatty acids in studied Lathyrus taxa. The highest oleic acid (C18:1 n 9) content is found in L. vinealis (26.8 %) but it is found at the lowest level in L. aphaca var. modestus (8.3 %). In addition, present study determines that investigated Lathyrus species have linoleic acid (42.8–62.8 %) and linolenic acid (9.2–12.9 %) contents.
Acoustic Reflectivity of Nets: Implications Concerning Incidental Take of Dolphins

Abstract : Sonar target strength measurements of several types of nets and associated gear were made using simulated dolphin echo-location signals. The different types of nets included: (a) standard commercial monofilament gillnet used in the salmon mothership fishery; (b) prototype hollow core monofilament net, (c) Macah tribal cord setnet, and (d) multifilament nets. Target strength measurements were made at four angles of incidence, (normal to net), 15, 30, and 45. The standard gillnet had the smallest target strength which was relatively independent of the angle of incidence. The target strength based on the peak-to- peak values of the echoes varied from -59 to -62 dB. Using echo energy within the integration time of Tursiops truncatus, the target strength was found to be between -54 and 59 dB. Biosonar detection ranges for different sea state conditions were estimated using the noise-limited form of the sonar equation and target detection data obtained for Tursiops truncatus in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. The results suggest that an echolocating dolphin should be able to detect a gillnet at ranges long enough to avoid entanglement, even in sea state 6 conditions. Several possibilities for the seeming inability of dolphins to detect gillnets are discussed.