Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Daily, seasonal and annual patterns of transpiration from a stand of remnant vegetation dominated by a coniferous Callitris species and a broad-leaved Eucalyptus species

Quantifying water use of native vegetation is an important contribution to understanding landscape ecohydrology. Few studies provide long-term (more than one growing season) estimates of water use and even fewer quantify interseasonal and interannual variation in transpiration. Globally, changes in land use are significantly altering landscape ecohydrology, resulting in problems such as dryland salinity and excessive groundwater recharge. Estimating stand water use is complex in multispecies forests, due to the differences in relationships among sapwood area, basal area and tree size for co-occurring species. In this article, we examine seasonal and interannual variation in transpiration rate of the tree canopy of two co-occurring species (a conifer Callitris glaucophylla J. Thompson & L.A.S. Johnson and a broad-leaved Eucalyptus crebra F. Muell.) in an open woodland in eastern Australia. Evapotranspiration of understorey species was measured using an open-top chamber, and tree water use was measured using heat-pulse sap flow sensors. Annual stand transpiration was 309 mm in 2003, a year of below average rainfall, and 629 mm in 2004, a year with higher-than-average rainfall. Despite an almost doubling (522 vs. 1062 mm) of annual rainfall between 2003 and 2004, annual tree water use remained a constant fraction (59%) of rainfall, indicative of compensatory mechanisms linking annual rainfall, leaf area index and tree water use. Deep drainage was estimated to be 4% of rainfall (20.8 mm) in 2003 and 2% (21.2 mm) in 2004, indicating that this native woodland was able to minimize deep drainage despite large interannual variability in rainfall.
Responses of physiological indexes and leaf epicuticular waxes of Brassica napus to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection

Two Brassica napus genotypes with different resistances to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were used to clarify whether or not the epicuticular wax is involved in the defence mechanism of B. napus to S. sclerotiorum. The total wax and wax constituents were significantly higher in the susceptible cultivar than in the resistant cultivar, except for esters. Infection by S. sclerotiorum increased the content of aldehydes in both cultivars, while increasing the content of alkanes and unknowns in the resistant cultivar. More crystalloid rods were observed on adaxial surfaces of leaves of the susceptible cultivar than on those of the resistant cultivar. The resistance to S. sclerotiorum was correlated to the responses of wax content but not the amount of total wax. The up-regulation of transcription of a wax-related gene and a pathogenesis-related gene (PR1) in the pathogen-challenged resistant cultivar also supported this observation. After inoculation, the increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in the resistant cultivar and the decrease in the susceptible cultivar were correlated with their resistance to disease. The content of alkanes, alcohols, ketones and total wax were negatively correlated with the activities of PAL and polyphenoloxidase. After wax removal, the resistant cultivar developed more necrotic spots compared to seedlings with intact wax, whilst no significant change was observed for susceptible seedlings. These results show that epicuticular wax contributed more to the defence of resistant cultivars than susceptible cultivars. The leaf epicuticular wax, defence enzymes and salicylic acid-dependent signalling pathway all contribute to defence against S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.
Correlation and path coefficient analysis studies for the yield and its traits in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Correlation coefficient provides symmetrical measurement of degree of association between two characters which help in understanding the nature and magnitude of association among yield and yield components and path coefficient analysis was carried out by using phenotypic as well as genotypic correlation coefficient between characters to resolve direct and indirect effects of different characters on head yield. Correlation and path coefficient analysis partitioned into direct and indirect for all the 13 quantitative characters were studies in 16 genotypes of cabbage. The positive and significant association of yield was observed with all the characters except days to maturity at both genotypic and phenotypic level; indicating that selection based on this character will result in identifying the genotypes having high yield potential. The path coefficient analysis reveals that at phenotypic level head weight, vitamin C and plant spread had high order direct effect on yield q/ha whereas, at genotypic level head weight, leaf width and leaf length had high order direct effect on yield q/ha. Therefore head weight, vitamin C, plant spread, leaf length and leaf width should be considered as selection criteria for yield improvement in cabbage breeding programme.
Le genre Cantharellus en europe nomenclature et taxinomie

Le genre Cantharellus est redefini a la lumiere des etudes morphologiques et bio-moleculaires recemment entreprises. Les taxons europeens gravitant autour de C. cibarius sont interpretes a partir des descriptions originales et parfois de recoltes recentes. Cantharellus cibarius var. squamulosus comb. nov. et C. neglectus comb, nov. sont introduits. Cantharellus cibarius var. flavipes var. nov., C. cibarius var. umbrinus var. nov., C. henrici sp. nov. et C. subpruinosus sp. nov. sont proposes. Cantharellus cibarius et C. cibarius var. rufipes sont lectotypifies. Les auteurs fournissent une cle des taxons europeens retenus dans le genre.
Development of tensile strength in compatible and incompatible sweet cherry graftings

The tensile strengths of graftings between three selected sweet cherry cultivars and five selected cherry rootstocks were determined with an Instron instrument 6, 12, and 18 weeks after grafting and compared with the tensile strength of self-grafted rootstocks and graftings of rootstocks used as scions. The combination of sweet cherry cultivars and rootstocks was selected to provide a range of compatibility based on preliminary work. The tensile strengths of sweet cherry cultivars grafted on different rootstocks never exceeded the tensile strengths of the self-grafted rootstocks. Rootstocks grafted as scions on Prunus avium L. rootstocks and self-grafted rootstocks produced some of the strongest unions tested and also produced union strength much faster than any of the other combinations. The degree of compatibility was quantified and results indicated that if this value was below 0.2, measured 18 weeks after grafting, it corresponded to combinations with major risks of delayed incompatibility.Key words: .
Short Communication: Carora Cattle Show High Variability in αs1-Casein

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of milk proteins of the Carora, a shorthorned Bos taurus cattle breed in Venezuela and in other Southern American countries that is primarily used for milk production. A total of 184 individual milk samples were collected from Carora cattle in 5 herds in Venezuela. The milk protein genes α s1 -casein (CN) ( CSN1S1 ), β -CN ( CSN2 ), κ -CN ( CSN3 ), and β-lactoglobulin ( LGB ) were typed at the protein level by isoelectrofocusing. It was necessary to further analyze CSN1S1 at the DNA level by a PCR-based method to distinguish CSN1S1*G from B . Increased variation was found in particular at the CSN1S1 gene, where 4 variants were identified. The predominant variant was CSN1S1*B (frequency = 0.8). The second most common CSN1S1 variant was CSN1S1*G (0.101), followed by CSN1S1*C (0.082). Moreover, a new isoelectrofocusing pattern was identified, which may result from a novel CSN1S1 variant, named CSN1S1*I, migrating at an intermediate position between CSN1S1*B and CSN1S1*C. Six cows carried the variant at the heterozygous condition. For the other loci, predominance of CSN2*A 2 (0.764), CSN3*B (0.609), and LGB*B (0.592) was observed. Haplotype frequencies (AF) at the CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN3 complex were also estimated by taking association into account. Only 7 haplotypes showed AF values >0.05, accounting for a cumulative frequency of 0.944. The predominant haplotype was B-A 2 -B (frequency = 0.418), followed by B-A 2 -A (0.213). The occurrence of the G variant is at a rather high frequency, which is of interest for selection within the Carora breed because of the negative association of this variant with the synthesis of the specific protein. From a cheese-making point of view, this variant is associated with improved milk-clotting parameters but is negatively associated with cheese ripening. Thus, milk protein typing should be routinely carried out in the breed, with particular emphasis on using a DNA test to detect the CSN1S*G variant. The CSN1S*G allele is likely to have descended from the Brown Swiss, which contributed to the Carora breed and also carries this allele.
Resource selection by recolonizing American black bears in a fragmented forest landscape

Abstract Following functional extirpation in Missouri, American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in this state have been increasing in recent years through recolonization from re-established populations in northern Arkansas. To increase our understanding of resource selection by recolonizing black bears in the Ozark Highlands of the United States, we attached Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitters to 54 black bears during May–August 2010–2013, and used location data based on biological seasons. We constructed models with anthropogenic (distance to nearest development, distance to nearest road), biological (sex, age class, season), and environmental (distance to nearest water, land cover) categories. We used infinitely weighted logistic regression to approximate the inhomogeneous Poisson point process model for presence-only (i.e., GPS locations) data to fit models. We used Bayesian Information Criterion and found that the best-performing model in the set of 81 models included all independent variables except sex and all combinations of 2-way interactions except those between biological covariates. Forested areas generally were more strongly selected than non-forested areas and bears generally selected areas distant from roads and other human development. However, selection for areas proximate to roads in the composite cover type (e.g., shrub–scrub, woody wetlands) occurred, where roads may have been used as travel corridors in unsuitable cover during the breeding season (ad) or dispersal (subad), or alternatively as a potential barrier, depending on road type and traffic volume. Use of apparent lower quality non-forested areas by bears suggests that the current level of human development in southern Missouri is unlikely to halt their recolonization.
A terminal sire selection index for UK beef cattle

A selection index which incorporates estimated breeding values of traits recorded in the United Kingdom pedigree beef cattle breeds is described. The breeding objective is made up of commercial carcass, calving difficulty and gestation length traits. Economic values for these breeding objective traits are summarized from related studies, while partial genetic regression estimates of breeding objective traits on recorded traits are derived mainly from the literature. The selection index is described in terms of the reduction in expected genetic response from selection on the index when individual recorded traits are omitted and the expected genetic responses in breeding objective traits with selection on the index under the assumption of mass selection. Failure to record all calving traits (birth weight, calving difficulty and gestation length) resulted in a reduction in expected economic response to selection of 8% from the situation where both calving traits and production traits (400-day weight, ultrasonic fat and muscle depths, and muscling score) are recorded. With a few stated exceptions, the index is relatively robust to errors in estimates of individual parameters. It is suggested that the total index be used to assist commercial bull and semen buyers in their selection decisions but that two sub-indices for calving and production traits also be published to allow buyers to adjust emphasis on the two groups of traits depending on their individual production circumstances.
Persistent Right Aortic Arch and Its Surgical Correction in a Dog

A young dog was examined because of regurgitating at the time of weaning to solid food. The dog was thin, underweight and had a sparse hair coat and distended abdomen. The cervical oesophagus was palpable as a flaccid, air-filled tube in the neck. Cardiac murmurs were not detected on auscultation of the thorax. A test meal of dog food was given and the dog regurgitated masticated, nondigested food a few minutes after eating. Contrast radiography of the oesophagus revealed contrast material accumulating in the oesophagus at the thoracic inlet and cranial to the heart. During surgery, the dilated portion of the oesophagus cranial to the stricture, the right of the aortic arch and the ligamentum arteriosum, over the stricture area was apparent. After surgical correction, the long-term outcome after 9 months was excellent .
Is species identity, sex, age or individual quality conveyed by echolocation call frequency in European horseshoe bats?

ABSTRACT Horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus) use echolocation calls with a prominent part whose frequency is constant over time (CF) and matches the ‘acoustic fovea’ of the bats' hearing system. The present study on European Rhinolophus species investigates whether this CF component contains reliable information on species, sex, age class or quality (size and body condition) of the caller and could therefore have a communicative value. The resting frequencies (RF) were measured from stationary, handheld bats for the species Rhinolophus blasii, R. euryale, R. mehelyi and R. hipposideros (the latter with very low sample size) in Bulgaria, where they occur in sympatry. We recorded calls directly onto a laptop computer and used a specially designed analysis algorithm to achieve high and accurate frequency resolution. After silent periods, individuals ‘tuned in’ to their RFs always from lower frequencies, corroborating the recent finding that frequencies below RF might be used for auditory feedback control as well. Rhinolophus blasii could reliably be separated from its congeners by RF, while R. mehelyi overlapped strongly with both R. euryale and R. hipposideros. Only R. blasii showed sex and age differences in RF, albeit the overlap was large. Adult female R. blasii had higher RFs than both adult males and juvenile females. In R. blasii, RF was positively correlated with forearm length, body mass and body condition index; in R. mehelyi with body mass and body condition index. However, there was no correlation between RF and these body size parameters within a sex or age class for any of the species, suggesting that RF is not a reliable honest signal for intraspecific communication that would indicate the quality of a potential mate or competitor.
Construction and deconstruction: The influence of lateral gene transfer on the evolution of the Tree of Life

Efforts to construct the tree of life take their conceptual motivation from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Until the advent of molecular biology, however, a universal tree of life was well beyond the scope of the data and methods of traditional organismal phylogeny. The rapid development of these methods and bodies of genetic sequence from the 1970s onwards resulted in major reclassifications of life and revived ambitions to represent all organismal lineages by one true tree of life. Subsequent realization of the significance of lateral gene transfer and other non-vertical processes has subtly reconceptualized and reoriented attempts to construct this universal phylogeny. This chapter sets out these shifts of construction, deconstruction and reconstruction, with an eye towards understanding the future of the tree of life.
The Reproductive Cycle of the Scallop Pecten sulcicostatus from the Southern Benguela Upwelling System

Abstract The reproductive cycle of Pecten sulcicostatus is described as part of an investigation into the potential commercial culture of this species in South Africa. Scallops were collected monthly from False Bay, from August 2004 to October 2005, to determine seasonal variation in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and to assess associated histological changes within the gonads. The reproductive cycle of P. sulcicostatus demonstrated clear seasonality. The mean GSI was highest from June to September (winter to early spring), and lowest from November to January (late spring to summer). The GSI findings were corroborated by histological analysis of the gonads with the mean oocyte diameter reaching a maximum in August and a minimum in November. Seasonal stratification and corresponding changes in phytoplankton biomass are considered to control the reproductive cycle of P. sulcicostatus in False Bay as winter spawning and the subsequent decline in the GSI coincide with the transition to spring upwelling conditions and a decline in bottom water temperature and food availability.
PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM, GIARDIA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN DAIRY CALVES IN MANDALAY, MYANMAR

This study intends to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium , Giardia , Eimeria , Toxocara vitulorum, Strongyloides papillosus , gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) and Trichuris in dairy calves of different ages of 1, 5, 9, 13 and 17 weeks. The study was designed as cross-sectional and longitudinal. It intended later to determine specific variations for incidence rate and age. A total of 690 faecal samples from 220 calves were selected from six different regions of the Mandalay Division, Myanmar. They were examined through the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining method and the copro-antigen ELISA for Cryptosporidium , modified double centrifugation technique for Giardia and the floatation with the saturated sodium chloride solution method for gastrointestinal helminths and Eimeria infection.
Seasonality in the Function of Avian Mixed-Species Flocks in Madagascar

Abstract I examined whether or not the two functions of mixed-species flocks, anti-predator defense and foraging efficiency, differ in seven regularly-participating species between the breeding and non-breeding periods in Madagascan forests. The rate at which I encountered mixed-species flocks was greater in the non-breeding period because six regular species increased their flocking propensity. However, another regular species, the Rufous Vanga, which did not change its flocking propensity was encountered less frequently in mixed flocks in the non-breeding period. During the breeding period, when food was abundant and predators such as raptors were active, anti-predator defense should have been a major concern for flocking birds. Then, mixed-species flocks formed as other species' followed breeding groups of Rufous Vanga as they exhibit a high degree of vigilance and warning against predators. Conversely, during the non-breeding period, when food resources were fewer and conspecific flock sizes were larger, increased foraging efficiency was likely to be the primary concern of flocking birds. Then, those species that utilized similar foraging substrates aggregated to form flocks and did not choose the Rufous Vanga as a foraging partner. Accordingly, the function of avian mixed-species flocks in Madagascar may change seasonally from one of anti-predator defense in the breeding period to one of increased foraging efficiency in the non-breeding period.
Evaluation of Some Mango Strains Growing under Ismailia Conditions

Fullbloom dates, susceptibility to floral malformation, alternate bearing habit, harvest date, proper maturity and shelf life, tree productivity and fruit quality of ten mango strains were studied. The ten strains seem to be promising, they were free from floral malformation, high productive and possessed good fruit quality attributes. The evaluation indicates that strains No. 6, 9 and 4 may be recommended as new superior mango cultivars to be grown commercially in Ismailia governorate and all over zones of Egypt. Besides, these three strains had some desired traits suited to the international quality standard.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SUCROSE AND BAP ON SHOOT PROLIFERATION ON MS STRENGTH BASAL MEDIA IN POTATO CV. AGRIA

This paper describes effects of different concentrations of sucrose (20, 30 and 40 g/l), BAP (0.0 and 2 mg/l) as well as MS strength basal media (full, ½ MS and ¼ MS) on the in vitro shoot proliferation in Tissue Culture Laboratory, University of Tabriz. Nodes were cut from in vitro potato shoots and cultured on MS strength basal media for shoot proliferation. All cultures were of 16h light/ 8h dark photoperiod and at 25 ±2 o C in growth chamber. This experiment was carried out factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications. After 4 weeks of culture, number of lateral shoots and nodes, shoot length, root number and callus induction percentage was measured. Analysis of variance showed that numbers of lateral shoots and node, shoots length, root number and callus induction percentage were influenced by studied factors. Number of lateral shoots was increased by using 2 mg/l BAP, but main shoot length was declined by addition of BAP on culture media. The number of nodes in MS full strengths was higher than 1/2MS and ¼ MS media. Maximum root number was observed in the media without BAP and high concentrations of sucrose. Minimum callus induction (an undesirable trait in the proliferation stage) was observed in free BAP media.
Potentials of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (LAM.) for the control of stored product insect pests

The biological activity of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides against Sitophilus zeamais(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) was investigated in the laboratory by admixing leaf, root and bark powders of Z. xanthoxyloides. Methanol extracts of the plant were applied at 2.0 ml per 50 g of grains to assess contact mortality, damage assessment, progeny development and repellent action. The root and bark powders caused 100% mortality of both S. zeamais and C. maculatus while complete protection of grains and progeny inhibition were achieved. Topical application of the extracts caused significant (P<0.01) insect mortality with fresh bark extract offering complete protection of grains and complete inhibition of progeny production by both S. zeamais and C. maculatus. The extracts also evoked moderate repellent effect against the two insect pests. The findings of this study lend credence to the usefulness of yet another biopesticide and its incorporation into traditional storage pest management system is recommended. Key words: Coleoptera, extracts, pests, powders, progeny, Zanthoxylum.