Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil, pasture and animal product quality

The management of pasture, through the use of appropriate stocking rates and grazing systems, influences the feeding behaviour of the animals. The impact of animal behaviour on vegetation can be of great importance for the sustainability of pastures and mantaining their biodiversity. Indeed, a different response in terms of quality of animal products is mediated by the ability of animals to concentrate or transform grass components, according to the characteristics of the soil. The herbage ingested by animals provides them with compounds with aromatic characteristics, such as terpenes, and with functional properties beneficial for human health, such as carotenoids, vitamins, polyphenols and polyunsatured fatty acids. The combination of different ecological conditions on different soils through specific management practices determines the differentiation of several pasture vegetation types, a unique patrimony of great value in terms of biodiversity and capability to sustain local production, also important because of their own high added value. This review deals with pasture management aimed at conserving the soil and reducing gas emissions, and takes into consideration the quality of animal products as a result of such management.
Genetic variation in Symbiodinium (=Gymnodinium) microadriaticum Freudenthal, and specificity in its symbiosis with marine invertebrates. II. Morphological variation in Symbiodinium microadriaticum

Morphological studies conducted on axenic cultures of the endozoic gymnodinioid dinoflagellate Symbiodinium ( = Gymnodinium) microadriaticum demonstrated that there are intrinsic variations in the dimensions of the recently divided, but as yet unseparated, vegetative cells (the two-cell stage). Characteristic dimensions of a given strain are maintained when such a strain is artificially introduced into a host other than that from which it was originally isolated. Ultrastructural observations illustrated that, in contrast to the algae in their hosts’ tissues, the algae in culture produced a fibrous or granular ‘pellicle’ approximately 0.2 μm thick. The algae in situ in Tridacna gigas also demonstrated the presence of a ‘pellicle’, but this structure was reduced when compared to that produced by the same cells in culture. Many of the stages in the described life cycle of the alga were observed, with the exception of those stages involving gametogenesis and sexual reproduction. Two distinct types of zoospores were observed; those that contained an ‘accumulation body’ in the epicone and those that did not.
The influence of foliar and soil fertilization of humic acid on yield and quality of pepper

Abstract Humic acid (HA) is the result of organic matter decomposition and is beneficial to plant growth and development. The objective of the study was to find the influence of foliar and soil HA application on fruit quality and yield of organically grown pepper. Pepper plants were treated with soil and foliar HA applications at various concentrations (0 ml/l, 10 ml/l, 20 ml/l, 30 ml/l, and 40 ml/l). Starting four weeks after planting, HA was applied via spraying and/or drenching to the plant root area three times during the growth period at 15-day intervals. HA treatments had no significant effect on fruit firmness, fruit length, or diameter. Total and reducing sugar contents significantly increased in response to both foliar and soil HA treatments. Moreover, HA application significantly influenced total chlorophyll content and this effect was mainly on chlorophyll b content. Foliar 20 ml/l and soil 20 ml/l HA application resulted in the highest total chlorophyll content. Foliar and soil HA applications also led to significantly higher mean fruit weight, and early and total yield than for control. The study demonstrates that both soil and foliar HA treatment might successfully be used to obtain higher fruit yield and can significantly enhance fruit quality in organically grown pepper.
Dormancy and germination of olive embryos as affected by temperature

Olive seeds do not germinate promptly when placed under favourable conditions, which is a problem in raising young plants for breeding or experimental purposes. In a series of experiments an investigation of the role of temperature in the germination of olive embryos was conducted. Naked, unchilled olive embryos (Olea europaea L. cv. Chalkidikis), cultured in vitro at 20°C, had a germination capacity of 73%, whereas that of embryos which had previously been chilled at 10°C for 2 or more weeks reached 96%. Intact seeds did not germinate at 20°C unless they had previously been subjected to 10°C for 3 or 4 weeks. Embryos chilled while in the intact seed and excised just before transfer to 20°C, reacted in a similar way to naked embryos, but reached their maximum germination capacity after 4 weeks at 10°C. Under constant temperature conditions the highest germination percentage of embryos was observed at 10 and 15°C and the highest germination rate at 15°C, while a moderate capacity and rate of germination occurred at 20°C, and a very low percentage and rate at 25 and 30°C. Prechilling at 10°C did not affect germination at 15°C, but improved the percentage and the rate of germination at 20, 25 and 30°C. The germination percentages of embryos chilled for 1 or 2 weeks at 10°C and then transferred to 25°C were lower than those of similarly chilled embryos transferred to 20°C. The chilling effect could not be reversed at 25°C when the embryos had been chilled for 3 or more weeks. The results show that olive seeds exhibit a state of dormancy that is caused by factors residing partly in the endosperm and partly within the embryo.
Vertical distribution of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) and some ecological parameters affecting the distribution pattern in south-west Turkey

Abstract The vertical distribution of oribatid mites and its dependence on ecological parameters such as moisture, pH, temperature, soil pore size, and amount of organic matter was studied in five areas in the Dalaman province of Turkey. A total of 2,737 individuals was obtained, with 35.1% from litter, 24.7% from a depth of 0–5 cm, 26.1% from 5–10 cm, and 14.2% from 10–15 cm. Maximum density was found in litter, minimum density at a depth of 10–15 cm. It was found that the density of oribatid mites was most affected (at a statistically significant level) by soil pH, temperature, pore size and moisture. Soil pH has the highest influence on the number of mites in the soil (P<0.01), and may thus be used as an indicator for monitoring soil pollution and global heating.
Bobwhite Weight Gains on Different Light-Dark Cycles

ABSTRACT IN A study and review of variations in wild bird weights, Baldwin and Kendeigh (1938) observed that adult birds weigh more in winter than in summer, and showed a negative correlation between the normal daily light period and body weight. Lamoreux (1943) was perhaps the first to make clear distinction between the effects of temperature and light upon the weight of birds subjected to different periods of daily light while other environmental conditions remained uniform. White Leghorn cockerels on 9 hours or less of light daily made significantly greater gains than those on 12 hours of light or more. In later experiments, it has been established that chicks gain better when on short light periods or low intensities than when on relatively long light periods or high intensities (Barott and Pringle, 1951; Clegg and Sanford, 1951; Moreng et al., 1956). Since Lamoreux stated that body weight gains in fowls are .
Alterations in brain metabolism and function following administration of low-dose codeine phosphate: 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

The aim of the present study was to identify alterations in brain function following administration of a single, low-dose of codeine phosphate in healthy volunteers using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition, the metabolic changes in the two sides of the frontal lobe were identified using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). A total of 20 right-handed healthy participants (10 males, 10 females) were evaluated, and a Signa HDx 1.5T MRI scanner was used for data acquisition. An echo planar imaging sequence was used for resting-state fMRI, whereas a point resolved spectroscopy sequence was used for 1H-MRS. Regional Saturation Technique, Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI, and Statistical Parameter Mapping 8 were used to analyze the fMRI data. The 1H-MRS data were analyzed using LCModel software. At 1 h after oral administration of codeine phosphate (1.0 mg/kg), the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity were altered in different brain areas. The choline content was significantly increased in the right and left frontal lobes following codeine phosphate administration (P=0.02 and P=0.03, respectively), whereas the inositol content was significantly decreased in the left frontal lobe (P=0.02). There was no change in the glutamic acid content in the frontal lobes. In conclusion, the functions of different brain regions can be affected by a single, low-dose administration of codeine phosphate. The alterations in metabolite content in the two frontal lobes may be associated with changes in brain function, whereas the ALFF in the globus pallidus may have an effect on codeine phosphate addiction. Finally, glutamic acid may be useful in the estimation of codeine dependence.
DIFFERENT RESPONSE MECHANISMS OF TWO PLANKTONIC DESMID SPECIES (CHLOROPHYCEAE) TO A SINGLE SATURATING ADDITION OF PHOSPHATE

Two planktonic algal species, Staurastrum chaetoceras (Schr.) G. M. Smith and Cosmarium abbreviatum Rac. var. planctonicum W. et G. S. West, from trophically different alkaline lakes, were compared in their response to a single saturating addition of phosphate (P) in a P‐limited growth situation. Storage abilities were determined using the luxury coefficient R = Qmax/Q0. Maximum cellular P quotas differed, depending on whether cells were harvested during exponential growth at μmax (Qmax, R being 26.7 and 9.1 for C. abbreviatum and S. chaetoceras, respectively) or harvested after a saturating pulse at P‐limited growth conditions (Q′max, R being 53.5 and 20.2 for C. abbreviatum and S. chaetoceras, respectively). At stringent P‐limited conditions, maximum initial uptake rates were higher in S. chaetoceras than in C. abbreviatum (0.094 and 0.073 pmol P·cell−1·h−1, respectively), but long‐term (net) uptake rates (over ∼20 min) were higher in C. abbreviatum than in S. chaetoceras (0.048 and 0.019 pmol P·cell−1·h−1, respectively). Before growth resumed after the onset of a large P addition (150 μmol·L−1), a lag phase was observed for both species. This period lasted 2–3 days for S. chaetoceras and 3–4 days for C. abbreviatum, corresponding with the time to reach Q′max. Subsequent growth rates (over ∼10 days) were 0.010 h−1 and 0.006 h−1 for S. chaetoceras and C. abbreviatum, respectively, being only 20%–30% of maximum growth rates. In conclusion, S. chaetoceras, with a relatively high initial P‐uptake rate, short lag phase, and high initial growth rate, is well adapted to a P pulse of short duration. Conversely, C. abbreviatum, with a high long‐term uptake rate and high storage capacity, appears competitively superior when exposed to an infrequent but lasting pulse. These characteristics provide information about possible strategies of algal species to profit from temporarily high P concentrations.
The inhibition of exogenous ethylene generated by solid ethylene-releasing agents on sprouting of potato tubers in relation to carbohydrate metabolism

The effects of exogenous ethylene generated by solid ethylene-releasing agents on carbohydrate metabolism and sprouting in potato tubers at 15 °C were investigated in this study. Potato tubers were randomly divided into 4 groups, and treated with 0, 1, 2, and 3 bags of solid ethylene-releasing agents. The initial time of potato tuber sprouting and sprouting index were recorded. The rate of respiration, total sugar, total reducing sugar, starch, fructose, glucose, and sucrose content during the sprouting were determined. Our result indicated that exogenous ethylene inhibited the sprouting of potato tubers (sprout index from 0.583 to 1.125), whereas little effect on the initial time of sprouting was observed. Moreover, exogenous ethylene enhanced respiration slightly (less than 8.2%), elevated the total sugar (from 17.73 to 32.58 mg/g) and reduced sugar levels (from 0.23 to 4.43 mg/g). Nevertheless, the starch, glucose, and fructose content varied minimally. The sucrose content was decreased significantly b.
Laboratory study to determine the effect of a probiotic mixture on chicken-broiler

The experiment was performed in two groups of broiler chickens. The birds from the experimental group were treated with the combination of 3% lactic bacteria. 1% baker's yeasts and 0.7% citric acid, added to food. It was found out that the treatment resulted in shifting the microbial balance in avian gastrointestinal tract in favour of Gram-positive bacteria (77-80%) while in control birds Gram negative organisms prevailed (90%). Both the volume and the weight of viscera of experimental chickens, obtained following slaughtering was by 20-60% higher compared to controls. Furthermore, 75% of treated birds reached a slaughtering weight (1800 g) for 42 days with an average daily weight gain of 57 g and expenditure of 2.3 kg fodder per 1 kg weight gain, whereas the body weight of control birds was by 26.5% lower than the standard one, the fodder expenditure was 3.1 kg per 1 kg weight gain and the average daily gain was 42 g. The mortality in controls was 13% while in treated birds there were no lethal cases. The price of one kilogramme body weight in experimental birds was by 0.15 $ lower compared to controls.
Irradiation does not affect field dispersal ability in the West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus

The effect of irradiation on the dispersal ability of males and females of the flightless West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a major sweet potato pest, was examined in the field using mark–release–recapture techniques. To evaluate the dispersal ability of the weevil, we released 7 619 weevils in two replicates (July and August 2007). Each replicate lasted 5 days from release to sampling and consisted of one weevil release and two weevil samplings. Thirty‐two traps were placed in lines corresponding to eight compass directions and in four distance classes (8, 12, 16, and 20 m) in each replicate. We captured 709 (9.3%) weevils in the two replicates. Weevils dispersed at least 20 m from the release point in 2 days, regardless of sex or irradiation. Dispersal was strongly affected by wind direction, and in both replicates most weevils were recaptured in upwind directions. The mean dispersal distance for non‐irradiated weevils was about 11 m per 2 days. Although there were some differences between sexes in recapture rate and dispersal distance, there was no consistent difference between irradiated and non‐irradiated weevils in dispersal distance. We conclude that irradiation does not affect the dispersal ability of flightless E. postfasciatus in the field.
OB3D, a new set of 3D objects available for research: a web-based study

Studying object recognition is central to fundamental and clinical research on cognitive functions but suffers from the limitations of the available sets that cannot always be modified and adapted to meet the specific goals of each study. We here present a new set of 3D scans of real objects available on-line as ASCII files, OB3D. These files are lists of dots, each defined by a triplet of spatial coordinates and their normal that allow simple and highly versatile transformations and adaptations. We performed a web-based experiment to evaluate the minimal number of dots required for the denomination and categorization of these objects, thus providing a reference threshold. We further analyze several other variables derived from this data set, such as the correlations with object complexity. This new stimulus set, which was found to activate the Lower Occipital Complex (LOC) in another study, may be of interest for studies of cognitive functions in healthy participants and patients with cognitive impairments, including visual perception, language, memory, etc.
Morphology of Erysiphe pisi on leaves of Pisum sativum

Morphological details of conidium germination, hyphae, appressoria, conidiophores, and organisation within colonies of Erysiphe pisi on leaves of Pisum sativum were studied in frozen, hydrated specimens with a scanning electron microscope. The pathogen has several adaptations to enable efficient colonisation of host leaf surfaces, including production of several hyphae from each germinated conidium, unidirectional growth of individual hyphae, prolific hyphal branching at obtuse angles to lines of hyphal growth, and rapid and prolific development of appressoria and conidiophores. Hyphal cells on leaf surfaces are specialised to produce either appressoria or conidiophores and hyphal branches.
Quantitative-Genetic Analysis of Temperature Regulation in Mus domesticus. IV. Pleiotropy and Genotype-by-Environment Interactions

The heritabilities of, and genetic correlations among, several traits related to thermoregulation in house mice were examined in a randomly bred population. The traits studied comprised aspects of morphology, behavior, and physiology. Effects of the environment, both internal and external, on the phenotypic expression and genetic architecture of the traits were considered. Genotype-by-environment interactions of two kinds were found to be important. The external environment had an effect on the expression of genetic influences on behavioral thermoregulation, with shifts in the ambient temperature causing a significant change in heritability. The internal environment affected genetic variation in physiological thermoregulation, with significant differences being found in the heritability of body temperature between males and females. Phenotypic dimorphisms were poor predictors of sex differences at the genetic level. Morphological characters were phenotypically the most dimorphic, but genotypically the least dimorphic; body temperature showed the reverse relationship. Significant additive genetic correlations were found between several of the traits. These were highest for pairs of similar characters, for example, body weight at different ages and nesting behavior at different temperatures. The correlation between morphological and behavioral aspects of temperature regulation was also significant. Physiological aspects of thermoregulation could evolve essentially as independent characters, but behavior and morphological traits would be expected to evolve in concert. The relevance of these results to general predictive theories is discussed. In particular, the assumption of no genotype-by-environment interactions could be misleading, and the occurrence of such interactions is likely to be troublesome when selection pressures fluctuate or differ qualitatively in males and females. Furthermore, genetic correlations between traits can pose a major difficulty, even when the traits vary as much as aspects of behavior and morphology. We conclude that a greater amount of empirical information is needed for a wider range of traits on both genotype-by-environment interactions and additive genetic correlations, and that such information must be incorporated into predictions of specific evolutionary adaptations.
Radio emission during the formation of stellar clusters in M 33

Aims. We investigate thermal and nonthermal radio emission associated with the early formation and evolution phases of young stellar clusters (YSCs) selected by their mid-infrared (MIR) emission at 24 μm in M 33. We consider regions in their early formation period, which are compact and totally embedded in the molecular cloud, and in the more evolved and exposed phase. Methods. Thanks to recent radio continuum surveys between 1.4 and 6.3 GHz we are able to find radio source counterparts to more than 300 star forming regions of M 33. We identify the thermal free–free component for YSCs and their associated molecular complexes using the Hα line emission. Results. A cross-correlation of MIR and radio continuum is established from bright to very faint sources, with the MIR-to-radio emission ratio that shows a slow radial decline throughout the M 33 disk. We confirm the nature of candidate embedded sources by recovering the associated faint radio continuum luminosities. By selecting exposed YSCs with reliable Hα flux, we establish and discuss the tight relation between Hα and the total radio continuum at 5 GHz over four orders of magnitude. This holds for individual YSCs as well as for the giant molecular clouds hosting them, and allows us to calibrate the radio continuum–star formation rate relation at small scales. On average, about half of the radio emission at 5 GHz in YSCs is nonthermal with large scatter. For exposed but compact YSCs and their molecular clouds, the nonthermal radio continuum fraction increases with source brightness, while for large HII regions the nonthermal fraction is lower and shows no clear trend. This has been found for YSCs with and without identified supernova remnants and underlines the possible role of massive stars in triggering particle acceleration through winds and shocks: these particles diffuse throughout the native molecular cloud prior to cloud dispersal.
Litter Decomposition on the Mauna Loa Environmental Matrix, Hawai'i: Patterns, Mechanisms, and Models

We determined controls on litter decomposition and nutrient release for the widespread native tree Metrosideros polymorpha in 11 sites arrayed on gradients of elevation, precipitation, and substrate age on Hawaiian lava flows. The effects of site characteristics were evaluated using three common substrates (Metrosideros leaf litter from one of the sites, wood dowels, and filter paper) decomposed in each of the sites, and the inherent decomposability of tissue (substrate quality) was evaluated using Metrosideros leaf litter from each of the sites decomposed in a common site. Site characteristics were responsible for most of the variation in rates of decomposition in the range of sites and substrates examined. Common substrates decomposed much more rapidly in warm, low elevation sites; apparent Q10 values, calculated on the basis of variation in mean annual temperature with elevation on individual lava flows, ranged from 4 to 11. Litter decomposed slowly in the dry sites, but leaf litter produced in the dry sites decomposed more than twice as rapidly as litter from wet sites when both were measured in the same site. The higher substrate quality of litter from dry sites could be due to trade—offs among nutrient—use efficiency, water—use efficiency, and carbon gain by water—limited Metrosideros. We used these results to test a revision of the CENTURY soil organic matter model that had been designed to simulate the decomposition of surface litter. Simulations accurately matched the pattern but underestimated the magnitude of among—site differences in the decomposition of common substrates in a range of sites. Analyses of both field and simulation results suggested that the decomposition of Metrosideros leaf litter could be limited by nitrogen availability.