Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and spatial population loads of a tropical insect: the case of the coffee leaf‐miner in Mexico

Abstract. 1 The effect of weather fluctuations in a tropical rain forest upon a leaf‐miner (the coffee leaf‐miner Leucoptera coffeella Guerin‐Meneville (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)) was studied in Veracruz, Mexico. The combined effect of temperature and precipitation upon the leaf‐miner populations was investigated in coffee plantations located along an elevation transect and throughout the annual seasons. The effect of plant diversity, displayed by the presence or absence of shade trees in coffee plantations, upon the population loads of the leaf‐miner was also investigated. 2 The leaf‐miner population increased significantly during the period of intermediate temperature and low precipitation (spring season). Elevation also affected the population load of the insect: leaf‐miner populations were larger at low elevations (where temperatures are high and precipitation low) than at high elevations. 3 Plant structural diversity did not affect the population loads of the leaf‐miner. 4 The results indicate that the direct and indirect effects of temperature and precipitation are significant factors in the population dynamics of the coffee leafminer. It is suggested that even moderate fluctuations in climatic conditions in tropical and subtropical regions may also play an important role in the dynamics of tropical insect populations, similar to that found in temperate zones where climatic fluctuations are extreme.
Relationship of Whitefly Population Build up with the Spread of TYLCV on Eight Tomato Varieties

The performance of eight tomato varieties namely BARI-T1 (Manik), BARI-T2 (Ratan), BARI-T4, BARI-T5, BARI-T6 (Apurba), BARI-T7 (Chaity), BARI-T11 and BARI-T12 were evaluated in respect to prevalence and spread of TYLCV (Tomato Yellow Leaf curl Virus) in relation to whitefly population buildup in the field. Data were collected on the three growth stages of the plant namely early (transplanting to first flowering) mid (first flowering to first harvesting) and late (first harvesting to last harvesting). The virus prevalence percentage in eight tomato varieties varied depending on early, mid and late stage of infection as well as tomato varieties. It ranged from 42 to 69%. There was a poor and insignificant quadratic polynomial relationship (y = -0.0059x 2 + 0.2826x – 1.5378 & R 2 = 0.0962) between temperature and whitefly population build up in tomato field. The relationship between relative humidity and whitefly population build up in the field was found significant but negatively correlated (y = - 0.0321x 2 +4.5518x – 159.44 (R 2 = 0.6769). The increase of whitefly population in the field was positively correlated with the spread of TYLCV in the tomato field (y = - 0.0002x 2 + 0.0297x + 1.0626 & R 2 = 0.663). The highest and lowest prevalence of TYLCV was recorded in BARI-T6 and BARI-T11, respectively. In all the varieties, virus prevalence was found higher at mid stage followed by late and early stage of infection. Key words: Prevalence, TYLCV, whitefly.
Diversity of Braconidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) of the Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil

Braconidae is a highly diversified family of Hymenoptera and usually known by their role in biological control both in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Despite of that, little is known about its diversity in the Amazon region. The present work inventoried the braconid fauna of an Open Ombrophylous Forest with Palm Trees of the Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, RO. Insects were collect from June/2008 to May/2009 using six Malaise traps in different parts of the reserve. A total of 377 wasps were captured, 17 subfamilies and 56 genera identified. Braconinae, Microgastrinae, Doryctinae and Rogadinae subfamilies were very abundant, and also the genera Aleiodes, Bracon, Capitonius, Compsobracon, Heterospilus, Hymenochaonia, Opius, Pedinotus, Rogas and Stantonia. The calculated Shannon diversity index was 2.15 and 3.3 for subfamily and genera, respectively, which were, generally, higher than the values found for other regions in Brazil. Generally, parasitoids were more abundant during the rainy season. The present work contributes with new genera records and faunistic data of Braconidae in Rondonia State, western Amazon.
Environmental determinants of intraspecific variation in body weight in baboons (Papio spp.)

Mean body weights of baboons differ considerably between populations for both males and females. This paper examines possible environmental causes of these differences. Mean annual rainfall and mean annual temperature are shown to be the two main factors responsible. Mean body weights for both sexes are a quadratic function of rainfall. Possible reasons why this might be so are examined.
Epizootiology of blood parasite infections in passerine birds from central New Jersey

One or more genera of hematozoa were found in blood smears of 204 (29.3%) of 697 birds representing 59 species. Parasites included Leucocytozoon spp. (16.6% prevalence), Haemoproteus spp. (9.9%), Plasmodium spp. (3.0%), Trypanosoma spp. (4.2%), and microfilariae of filariid nematodes (1.0%). Of 353 birds (48 species) tested for trypanosomiasis by blood culture, 141 (39.9%) were found to be positive. Several new host–parasite associations were identified. Prevalences were lowest in the summer and highest in the spring. During the summer, hatching-year birds were found to be infected less frequently than were older birds. Ground-feeding birds were infected with Leucocytozoon spp. at a significantly higher rate than were birds that characteristically feed above ground. Although the vertical stratum preferred for foraging was significantly associated with that of nesting, no significant association between preferred nesting stratum and prevalence of Leucocytozoon spp. infection among locally breeding birds wa.
Suplementação com sal mineral proteinado para bovinos de corte mantidos em pastagem de estrela roxa no final do verão - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i1.2145

This work was carried out to study the effect of protein supplements (189 grams/animal/day) compared to mineral salt (76 grams/animal/day) on performance of steers on star grass pasture ( Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger) at the end of the summer (February to May). Sixty steers of 299kg body weight and four pastures of star grass were used. Considering the first 28 days (adaptation period) in the statistical analysis (from February to May) there was no difference in ADG of the animals. However, discounting this period of adaptation (from March to May), the protein supplements resulted in superior ADG (0.43kg a day) when compared to mineral supplement (0.34kg a day). The quality and availability of the pasture were similar to the different treatments, with average levels of 5344kg DM/ha, 649kg of LEA/ha, 4.6% of CP, 2.8% of DCP, 79.4% of NDF, 48.3% of ADF, and 53.1% of IVDMD.
A Floristic Comparison of Benthic “Marine” Algae In Bras D'Or Lake, Nova Scotia With Five Other Northwest Atlantic Embayments and the Baltic Sea In Northern Europe

Abstract The seaweed flora of Bras d'Or Lake, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia is compared with those of the Baltic Sea in northern Europe and five Northwest Atlantic embayments ranging from Pomquet Harbour, Nova Scotia to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Both Bras d'Or Lake and the Baltic Sea have experienced extensive geological and hydrographic changes during the past 15,000 years, which have resulted in limited connections to the open sea, negligible tides, low salinities, and reduced floras. The ecology of these two unique saltwater bodies differs from true estuaries like the York River of Maine, the Great Bay Estuary System of New Hampshire/Maine, and the Merrimack River of Massachusetts, which experience extreme hydrographic and tidal variability. Of the 309 total seaweed taxa recorded from the six Northwest Atlantic embayments, Bras d'Or Lake had the lowest number of red, brown, and green algae (i.e., 83) and shared taxa (mean 61.2 ± 4.9 SE), whereas Narragansett Bay had the highest numbers of total (203) and shared taxa (mean 111.6 ± 20.1 SE). Several taxa were restricted to single embayments, with a few glacial and limnic relicts occurring in Bras d'Or Lake and the Baltic Sea. Nine disjunct warm-water taxa were present in Bras d'Or Lake, with this representing the second highest numbers found in four embayments located north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; this pattern reflects the characteristics of a shallow inland lake. Eleven introduced taxa were recorded from the various Northwest Atlantic embayments, ranging from two in Bras d'Or Lake to 3–10 in the other five embayments. The absence of an intertidal fucoid zone in the Lake (and the Baltic Sea) is probably associated with several physical factors, including a lack of tides, extensive ice-scouring, long-lasting atmospheric reductions of sea level, and reduced salinities. By contrast, the occurrence of subtidal fucoid algae within both brackish water habitats is probably due to a lack of strong competition from perennial kelp populations, which have limited tolerances to low salinities. Morphological features of attached submerged fucoids are analogous to those of loose-lying or entangled salt marsh forms, which are usually small, thin, profusely branched, and have extensive vegetative fragmentation. Unique aegagropilous (detached, ball-shaped) populations of Gracilaria tikvahiae also were found at some inland Bras d'Or Lake sites, presumably resulting from ice scouring and detachment.
Storage of Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) White and Dark Muscles in Ice: Changes in Content of Adenine Nucleotides and Related Compounds

Adenine nucleotides and their related compounds in white and dark muscles of yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata were measured and compared during ice storage. In white muscle, adenosine 5′-triphosphate was degraded rapidly to inosine 5′-monophosphate, which then underwent gradual build-up of inosine (HxR). In dark muscle, HxR accumulated very rapidly and the K value, a freshness index, thus increased at a greater initial rate than in the white muscle (62 vs 3%/day). Urate occurred in a small amount only in the white muscle stored for over 40 days (0.2 μmole/g), while little was found in the dark muscle during the entire storage period. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which existed in both the fresh white and dark muscles (0.8 vs 0.4 μmole/g), decreased rapidly in the early stage of storage.
Rate of change in harvest index during grain-filling of wheat

SUMMARY A constant rate of change in harvest index (dHI/dt = k) has recently been incorporated into several crop simulation models, so that final grain yield can be calculated from final biomass and the duration of grain growth. Implicit is the assumption that dHI/dt is conservative across treatments and environments. This assumption was tested using data from five experiments grown in the United Kingdom (1973, 1978, 1994) and New Zealand (1992, 1993). The experiments included commercial spring and winter wheat cultivars introduced during the last 100 years and nitrogen, irrigation, sowing date, temperature and CO2 treatments. In all cases, the time course of harvest index (HI) had an initial lag phase, a linear phase and a maturation phase. The linear phase was stable in field-grown crops, except for a reduction in slope after lodging in some crops. Values for dHI/dt, taken as the slope of the linear phase, varied with variety and available nitrogen, were stable for a given variety among years, and were unaffected by water stress. Variation in dHI/dt among varieties was independent of their year of introduction, although those with the Rht2 semi-dwarfing gene generally achieved a higher final HI due to a reduced lag phase. Differences in the duration of the linear phase also caused differences in the final HI after drought. The upper and lower limits of dHI/dt for fieldgrown crops were 1·37 and 0·64% d-1 but, under normal fertility conditions, the variation was between 0·90 and 1·19 % d-1. Results indicated that dHI/dt could provide an effective semi-empirical relationship for predicting grain yield in simulation models. The consistent, linear nature of this relationship suggests a physiological maximum for dHI/dt, for a given species and variety. It may be possible to exploit varietal differences in dHI/dt, and in the lag phase, for yield improvement.
Resistance of the kidney bean reserve protein, phaseolin, to proteolysis in the porcine digestive tract

Abstract: Phaseolin, the major reserve protein of the seeds of the kidney bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L, was shown to be poorly degraded in the pig small intestine following an initial 7-day exposure to casein-based diets incorporating kidney bean meal. Substantial amounts of large polypeptide fragments, which were recognised by antibodies raised against native phaseolin, were identified in ileal digesta. Little of this immunoreactivity was detected in the faeces of these animals, suggesting that components of the hindgut microflora were able to degrade these fragments further. Prolonged exposure to dietary kidney beans resulted in an increase in the digestibility of phaseolin, suggesting that the small intestine and/or its microflora may possess significant adaptive capacity. In-vitro digestion of purified phaseolin by a sequence of pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin yielded products which closely resembled those isolated from the ileal digesla; analysis suggested that degradation of native phaseolin by the major gastrointestinal endopeptidases is restricted to a vulnerable central region of its constituent polypeptides.
APPLICATION OF IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION FOR THE DETECTION OF VIRUS GENOMES IN TISSUE

We applied in situ hybridization (ISH) using RNA probes which hybridize with infected-cell protein number zero (ICP0) mRNA or latency-associated transcripts (LAT) to detect herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in both latent and productive infections. In the productive stage, in which the production of viral particles can be shown by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, we demonstrated the presence of ICP0 mRNA and LAT, which indicates that LAT may also be transcribed in productive infection. In latent infection of the trigeminal and geniculate ganglia, where HSV antigen cannot be detected by immunohistochemistry, we detected positive hybridization signals using ISH with ICP0 sense RNA probe, which is complementary to LAT. Positive signals were not detected with ICP0 antisense probe. We could not demonstrate HSV latency in the spiral ganglia using ISH, although the HSV genomes were amplified by using the polymerise chain reaction method. These results demonstrate that ISH is a convenient, but limited, technique for the detection of latent HSV.
Structural changes, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of cherry tomato fruits (cv. Micro-Tom) stored under optimal and chilling conditions.

BACKGROUND: Cherry tomato fruits cv. Micro-Tom, a model plant for tomato genetics, were analysed in order to determine the main structural and chemical changes under optimal and chilling storage conditions. The comparison of Micro-Tom to standard tomato cultivars will give an insight into suitability of this dwarf cultivar as a model for studying the influence of low-temperature conditions on tomato fruits. RESULTS: During chilling, fruit tissue was progressively destroyed due to the collapse of the deep layers of the pericarp. Chilling lowered the typical tomato kinetics of ripening in sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), organic acids (tartaric, malic, citric, ascorbic and succinic) and the antioxidants phenol and lycopene, while carotenoid synthesis seemed to be blocked. Glutathione level was elevated and the activity of ROS scavenging enzymes was altered. Essentially, Micro-Tom fruits showed a quality evolution that was similar to that described for standard tomato cultivars. CONCLUSION: The cherry tomato cultivar Micro-Tom could be used as a model for studying the influence of low temperature on biochemical and structural changes taking place during chilling injury conditions. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
The nuclear small subunit ribosomal genes of Sphaeronaemella helvellae, Sphaeronaemella fimicola, Gabarnaudia betae, and Cornuvesica falcata: phylogenetic implications

Sequences were obtained from the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA genes for representatives of four ophiostomatoid genera (Ceratocystis, Gondwanamyces, Cornuvesica, and Sphaeronaemella) to resolve their phylogenetic position within the Ascomycota. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that these genera are monophyletic and share common ancestry with members of the Microascales. Based on sequence data, strains representing the mitotic species Gabarnaudia betae (Delacr.) Samson & W. Gams were shown clearly to be derived from Sphaeronaemella species. Sequences were also obtained from strains representing the syntype of Sphaeronaemella fragariae, the exholotype of Sphaeronaemella humicola, and the extype of Gabarnaudia tholispora. The results suggest that putative extype cultures for S. humicola and G. tholispora no longer represent the original material deposited. Our data also support the exclusion of S. fragariae from Sphaeronaemella. Key words: Cornuvesica, Gabarnaudia, Gondwanamyces, Sphaeronaemalla fragaria.
Personality in the wild zebra finch: exploration, sociality, and reproduction

Although personality has been well studied in a wide range of species, relatively few studies have assessed if behavior in standardized captive tests is predictive of behavior in the wild. We captured wild zebra finches around 2 breeding colonies and assayed their exploratory behavior with a novel environment test. The birds’ foraging behavior in the wild was also measured with the use of a passive integrated transponder tag system to monitor their use of feeders that were periodically moved around the colonies to assess exploratory behavior and sociality. During the same period, individuals’ reproductive success was monitored at the nest-boxes being used in this area. We found that our measures of sociality, wild, and captive exploration were repeatable, but contrary to our predictions, exploration in the novel environment test was not significantly correlated with exploration of feeders in the wild. We failed to find a predicted negative relationship between exploration and sociality, instead finding a significant positive correlation between exploration in the novel environment and sociality. Finally, we found little evidence that any of our measured personality traits influenced reproductive success at the colony, either individually or when the interactions between the personalities of both members of the pair were taken into account. The only exception was that highly exploratory males (assayed with wild feeder behavior) were more likely to make breeding attempts than less exploratory males. Our results suggest that researchers should use caution when using tests such as the classic novel environment test to make inferences about personality in wild populations.
The role of cell wall synthesis in sustained auxin-induced growth

The dependence of auxin-induced growth on continued cell wall synthesis was investigated in stem segments of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) seedlings using the cell wall synthesis inhibitors monensin and 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB). Monensin (5 μM) potently inhibited indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced growth, particularly during the second hour of treatment, whereas growth in fusicoccin (FC) was inhibited much less effectively. Incorporation of [14C]-glucose into both matrix and cellulose fractions of the wall showed a sharp increase beginning after about 60 min, this rise being promoted by both IAA and FC. Monensin inhibited this rise in incorporation of label and completely removed the promotion of this by IAA, although some promotion by FC remained. Monensin inhibited incorporation into cellulose in a manner similar to that into matrix, but the use of the apparently specific cellulose synthesis inhibitor DCB showed that cellulose synthesis could be strongly inhibited without effect on growth, at least in the short term. The results support the view that sustained auxin-induced growth depends upon the incorporation of new matrix cell wall components into the wall.
Utilization of restructuring technology in the production of meat products: a review

Meat restructuring technology enables the production of value-added meat products from low quality cuts and trimmings. In addition, this technology can improve products' characteristics such as texture, fat content, bind strength, and shape; meanwhile, it can also satisfy the increasing demand for convenience. The factors affecting the quality of restructured meat products including appearance, comminution and formation, particle size, mixing time, meat type, and fat content are analyzed; roles of non-meat ingredients such as salt, phosphate, soy protein, transglutaminase (TG) are discussed, protein binding and cooking are also mentioned. Salt and phosphates are traditional additives, which facilitate extraction of myofibrillar proteins and enhanced binding of meat particles. Salt is also associated with meat discoloration and rancidity development. Recently, there is a tendency towards reducing salt intake for health reasons. Binders such as κ-carrageenan, alginate, TG are widely and successfully used in restructured meat production. Some new techniques such as meat fiber alignment and high pressure treatment are also discussed in this review.
Pharmacological regulation of the phencyclidine‐binding site associated with the N‐methyl‐D‐Aspartate receptor‐operated ion channel

The ion channel operated by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonists is modified by several positive and negative effectors. A variety of chemical structures are known to antagonize the effects of NMDA agonists by preferentially binding with high affinity to the open state of the ion channel. Binding of two of these noncompetitive antagonists has been study extensively in recent months as a probe of NMDA receptor function. It has been found that NMDA agonists and antagonists increase and decrease, respectively, the binding of 3H‐TCP or 3H‐MK‐801 by altering the affinity of the putative phencyclidine (PCP) receptor localized within the ion channel. This affinity change is presumed to be correlated with the conformational change associated with channel opening. This model is also discussed in relationship to one in which binding is increased under nonequilibrium conditions because of a simple increased accessibility to the channel binding site. The modulatory effects of glycine, other amino acids, certain polyamines, and divalent cations on 3H‐TCP and/or 3H‐MK‐801 binding are discussed in relation to their effects on NMDA function in more intact, physiological preparations. It is concluded that the complexity of NMDA receptor regulation provides many possibilities for pharmacological intervention, and that the use of noncompetitive antagonists to probe NMDA receptor function could play a key role in drug development.