Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen effects on yield, quality and K/Na selectivity of sugar beets grown on clays under semi-arid, irrigated conditions

In a four-year experiment, five nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha -1 ) were tested over irrigated sugar beets grown on clays, under Mediterranean conditions, in central Greece. There, sugar beets are commonly grown under water shortages, high temperatures and high soil Na concentrations. Contrary to previous reports, N rates did not affect significantly population density (as assessed by root number at harvest) and sucrose content in fresh and dry root weight (SC and SCD, respectively). Yield response to N was year dependent and only in one out of four seasons, was there a positive effect of N on sugar yield and white sugar yield. In that case, the estimated optimum N dose was high (220 kg N ha -1 ). Increasing N rates increased significantly N assimilation (as assessed by petiole NO3-N and root α-amino N) and water content in root (WCR) but decreased biomass partitioning to root (lower harvest index). Selective absorption (SA, the preferential uptake of K over Na in roots) decreased with increasing N rates and it was negatively correlated with sugar beet N nutrition indices (petiole NO3-N and root α-amino N). A negative correlation between SA and petiole NO3-N was also evident when data combined over years, indicating that strong Na exclusion was associated with poor N nutrition, a contradiction to previous reports. The higher the SA, the lower the WCR indicating less dilution of sucrose in root and thus, the higher the SC. Moreover, high SA evoked sucrose accumulation in roots as it was shown by its positive correlation with SCD.
Floods, fire, and ice: disturbance ecology of riparian cottonwoodsThe review is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Poplar Research in Canada.

Cottonwoods are poplar trees that are well adapted to dynamic riparian, or streamside, zones throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Here we assess the influences of three prominent physical disturbances, floods, fire, and ice, on cottonwood population ecology. We emphasize cottonwoods along rivers from the “Crown of the Continent”, the central Rocky Mountain zone around the Canada – United States border, where five Populus species overlap and four hybridize. Moderate to major floods scour banks and deposit bars, creating barren and moist colonization sites that are essential for cottonwood seedling recruitment. Floods also scarify shallow roots, thus promoting clonal suckering, especially for the section Tacamahaca species: narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia James), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray). Fire would naturally be less frequent in some riparian zones because of the moist conditions and firebreaks provided by the streams, but .
Virus membrane proteins and proteinaceous pores

Enveloped viruses penetrate the host cells by fusion of the viral envelope with a cellular target membrane. One of the best studied viruses with respect to its penetration and uncoating is the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus that is taken up by endocytosis. The alphavirus membrane glycoprotein E1 harbors a so-called fusion peptide, which is responsible for interaction with the endosomal membrane, leading to fusion. Besides this fusion process, cell infection by alphaviruses is accompanied by membrane permeability changes, thus implying some form of pore across the membrane. However, the ability of E1 protein to form ion pores has not been widely accepted. This review provides an overview of studies that confirm earlier results predicting the formation of a proteinaceous pore by the alphavirus spike proteins. Furthermore, different models to explain this pore formation during virus entry are discussed. Viruses are genetic elements that are able to reproduce in a host cell-dependent way. The virus genome, RNA or DNA, is packaged into a protective protein coat; in enveloped viruses this nucleocapsid is surrounded by a lipid bilayer, derived from the host cell membrane during virus budding, which contains viral spike glycoproteins. This packaging protects the virus during the extracellular journey and presents recognition signals for adsorption to the cellular membrane. It provides the means for viral structural conversions upon interaction with the host cell. This leads to successful penetration of the cellular membrane and to the uncovering and release of the nucleic acid for replication (uncoating of the nucleocapsid).
Pb and Cd uptake in rice roots

Pb and Cd are heavy metal pollutants that inhibit plant growth. Using a cultivated rice variety (Dongjin, Oryza sativa L.), we studied how the transport and toxicity of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ are affected by the presence of K + , Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ . K + had a little effect on uptake or toxicity of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ . Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ blocked both Cd 2+ transport into rice roots and Cd 2+ toxicity on root growth, which suggested that their detoxification effect is directly related to their blocking of entry of the heavy metals. Similarly, Ca 2+ blocked both Pb 2+ transport into the root and Pb 2+ toxicity on root growth. The protective effect of Ca 2+ on Pb 2+ toxicity may be related to its inhibition of the heavy metal accumulation in the root tip, a potential target site of Pb 2+ toxicity. Mg 2+ did not ameliorate the Pb 2+ toxicity on root growth as much as Ca 2+ did, although it decreased Pb 2+ uptake into roots similarly as Ca 2+ did. These results suggest that the protective effect of Ca 2+ on Pb 2+ toxicity may involve multiple mechanisms including competition at the entry level, and that Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ may compete with divalent cations for transport into roots of rice plants.
Non-hierarchical euciidean cluster analysis in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)

One hundred and sixty-seven genotypes/land races of pointed ground (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) were evaluated in an augumented block design. Considerable variation was observed among accessions for their characters. The genotypes were grouped into 8 non-overlapping cluster based on non-hierarchical euclidean cluster analysis. Cluster 8 and cluster 5 were the diverse clusters. Considerable variation in cluster means was observed for most of the characters. These observations indicate that there is ample scope of varietal improvement through hybridization and selection in pointed ground. The genotypes which expressed thin and slender stems along with bushy habit were quite early-yielders.
LATE CAMPANIAN (CRETACEOUS) HETEROMORPH AMMONITES FROM THE WESTERN INTERIOR OF THE UNITED STATES

Abstract Heteromorph ammonites of the families Nostoceratidae Hyatt, 1894, and Diplomoceratidae Spath, 1926, are common to abundant in sediments deposited in the western and central parts of the U.S. Western Interior Seaway during the early late Campanian. The indices of the successive zones of Didymoceras nebrascense (Meek and Hayden, 1856a) (oldest), Didymoceras stevensoni (Whitfield, 1877), Exiteloceras jenneyi camacki, n. subsp. , Exiteloceras jenneyi jenneyi (Whitfield, 1877), and Didymoceras cheyennense (Meek and Hayden, 1856a) are revised, as are Nostoceras monotuberculatum Kennedy and Cobban, 1993a (D. nebrascense and D. stevensoni zones), Oxybeloceras crassum (Whitfield, 1877) (D. stevensoni and E. jenneyi zones), and Spiroxybeloceras meekanum (Whitfield, 1877) (D. cheyennense zone). Solenoceras elegans, n. sp. (D. stevensoni and E. jenneyi zones), Solenoceras bearpawense, n. sp. (D. nebrascense zone), and Solenoceras larimerense, n. sp. (E. jenneyi zone) are also described.
Interactions between plastic responses to light and water availability in experiments with tree seedlings

ABSTRACT: Phenotypic plasticity, water stress and shade tolerance have been separate targets of numerous studies concerned with plant ecology and distribution. The main objective of the study was to combine these three topics in a single study case. In this study we quantified the plastic phenotypic responses to light, exploring the interactions between light and water availability and determining the influence of phenotypic plasticity on survival. Phenotypic plasticity partially explained the differences among species in survival in sun and deep shade. The interactions between light and water availability found in plant responses showed that phenotypic plasticity involves costs that negatively influenced survival under some specific environmental conditions, pointing to the need for detailed studies of the adaptive value of phenotypic plasticity in response to cooccurring stresses.
Testing historical explanations for gradients in species richness in heliconiine butterflies of tropical America

We compiled a large database of 58 059 point locality records for 70 species and 434 subspecies of heliconiine butterflies and used these data to test evolutionary hypotheses for their diversification. To study geographical patterns of diversity and contact zones, we mapped: (1) species richness; (2) mean molecular phylogenetic terminal branch length; (3) subspecies richness and the proportion of specimens that were subspecific hybrids, and (4) museum sampling effort. Heliconiine species richness is high throughout the Amazon region and peaks near the equator in the foothills and middle elevations of the eastern Andes. Mean phylogenetic terminal branch length is lowest in the eastern Andes and tends to be low in species-rich areas. By contrast, areas of high subspecies richness, where subspecies overlap in range and/or hybridize, are concentrated along the course of the Amazon River, with the eastern Andes slopes and foothills relatively depauperate in terms of local intraspecific phenotypic diversity. Spatial gradients in heliconiine species richness in the Neotropics are consistent with the hypothesis that species richness gradients are driven at least in part by variation in speciation and/or extinction rates, resulting in observed gradients in mean phylogenetic branch length, rather than via evolutionary age or niche conservatism alone. The data obtained in the present study, coupled with individual case studies of recently evolved Heliconius species, suggest that the radiation of heliconiine butterflies occurred predominantly on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as in the upper/middle Amazon basin. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 105, 479–497.
An experimental test for reproductive interactions between two sequentially blooming Saxifraga species (Saxifragaceae)

The blooming period of Saxifraga reflexa on south-facing bluffs in interior Alaska precedes and slightly overlaps that of Saxifraga tricuspidata. We tested the hypothesis that reproductive interference maintains this phenological separation by measuring seed set of potted S. reflexa during the normal and S. tricuspidata blooming periods, with and without S. tricuspidata nearby (.)
Isolation and partial purification of antifungal metabolites produced by Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus X16 was previously found to inhibit the mycelial growth of Fusarium roseum var. sambucinum, in vitro and in vivo, on wounded potato tubers. Bio- logically active antibiotics were extracted with methanol from the interaction regions between the two protagonists on potato dextrose agar medium. Concentrated crude antibi- otic extracts were purified using C18 solid phase extraction and silica gel thin layer chro- matography. The X16 s I fraction eluted with 100% H 2 O gave the highest activity (19 AU ml-1) and showed a red-yellow chromatogram on TLC plate treated with ninydrin spray and one active band with Rf value of 0.7. The X16sI fraction was stable at 40, 60 and 80 °C but lost activity at 100 °C and after autoclaving at 121 °C; it was also active over a wide range of pH values (3-9) and remains active after treatment with polar organic solvents. No activ- ity was detected after a treatment with a proteinase K enzyme. Ultrafiltration experiments showed that antibiotic extracts from the X16sI fraction have an apparent molecular weight between 10 and 20 kDa. Bioassays performed on seeded Cladosporium TLC plate demon- strated that B. cereus X16 produces more than one antifungal antibiotic.
Preparation and properties of ice cream type frozen yogurt

Changes in sensory ratings and chemical properties of ice cream type frozen yogurt (fat content >0.8% with varying pH values) were investigated during storage for 6 months at -35°C. No appreciable change was observed in the structure, acidity and pH values of the products during storage. In addition, there was no increase in thiobarbituric acid values of the products during storage. Viable lactic acid bacteria decreased in number with increasing storage period. Different sensory ratings were obtained for assessors who where familiar with yogurt and for assessors who were not. The product having a pH value of 5.5 was the most preferred ice cream type frozen yogurt in the products examined.
The Salamanders Eurycea longicauda and Plethodon glutinosus in Gregorys Cave, TN: Monitoring and Observations on Ecology and Natural History

Abstract Monthly surveys were conducted in Gregorys Cave, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for one year using systematic, repeatable methods to quantify the distribution and abundance of the salamanders Eurycea longicauda and Plethodon glutinosus. Information was gathered regarding larval development of E. longicauda in cave pools, as well as the occurrence of young P. glutinosus. Salamanders were most commonly encountered during spring and late summer from the entrance gate to 50 m inside the cave. Both species were found deepest in the cave during late summer–early fall and late winter–early spring. Young P. glutinosus and recently transformed E. longicauda were observed during late winter and early spring between 50 and 80 m inside the cave. Additional study is required to further understand the timing and frequency of metamorphosis of larval E. longicauda in cave pools.
Phytochemical Analysis and Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity of Cassia Occidentalis L. (whole plant)

Cassia occidentalis L. whole plant was extracted successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. Another crude extract of aqueous methanol was also carried out. The extracts were tested in vitro for activity against standard strains microbes and clinical isolates. The zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. The in vitro antimicrobial screening revealed that the extract exhibited varying activity against different microbes with zones of inhibition ranging from 14-34mm, MIC ranging from 1.25 - 10mg/ml, and MBC/MFC of 2.5-20mg/ml for the sensitive organisms at the tested concentrations. The highest activity was an MIC of 1.25 mg/ml and MBC of 2.5mg/ml. The activities observed could be due to the presence of some of the secondary metabolites like, alkaloids, anthraquinones, sterols, glycosides, saponins, terpenes and flavonoids detected in the plant. (New York Science Journal 2010;3(10):74-81). (ISSN: 1554-0200).
RESEARCH ARTICLE EFFECT OF TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AGAINST VERTICILLIUM WILT OF TOMATO

Trichoderma harzianum and a composite endomycorrhizal inoculum were tested in vivo for their antagonistic activity against Verticillium dahliae causing tomato vascular wilt in Morocco. This dual inoculation had a positive effect on the growth of tomato seedlings compared to control; height (42.7/31.3 cm), stem diameter (0.9/0.7 g), flowers number (7 / 2.5), fruit weight (13.3/5.6 g), fresh shoot wei ght (36.7/21.7 g) and fresh root weight (12.6/8.4 g). Also, dual inoculation has a positive effect on tomato seedlings against V. dahliae compared those inoculated only with V. dahliae; Height (39.5/28.8 cm), flowers number (5/1.8), fruit number (0.8/0.5), fruit weight (18/4.4 g), fresh shoot weight (37.1/21.4 g) and fresh root weight (10.9/7.3 g). Mycorrhizal intensity of the mycorrhized tomato plants was the highest (81%), inoculation with T. harzianum has decreased the root mycorrhizal intensity to (52%). 100% of roots of the tomato plants inoculated with the AMF fungi were approximately mycorrhized. Extraction of spores from soil samples revealed the presence of six spore morphotypes , the genus of Glomus was the dominant (80%), three Glomus species were classified as Glomus intraradices, G. etunicatum, G. occultum and one non identified morphotypes (Glomus sp.). Two different species belonging to Scutellospora (20%): S. fulgida and S. nigra.
Effects of Pre-sowing Seed Treatments on Germination and Seedling Growth Performance of Melia dubia CAV: An Important Multipurpose Tree.

Melia dubia Cav. is a species of high medicinal and industrial economic value commonly referred as Malabar Neem Tree. Recently this species is gaining more popularity for its fast growth. The natural germination through seeds is less than 25%. So there is need to find out appropriate pre-sowing treatment. With this information the study was conducted to explore the effects of different seed treatments on germination and seedling growth parameters of a multipurpose plant, Melia dubia in the College of Forestry, Ponnampet nursery during 2010-2011. Seeds were subjected to seven pre-sowing treatments. The results showed that cow dung slurry treatment for seven days had significantly enhanced germination and seedling growth. Seed germination started 32 days after sowing and continued up to 66 days. The highest germination percentage (34.3 %) was observed in the soaking of seeds in cow dung slurry for seven days (T4) followed by (31.5 %) 100 ppm Gibberlic acid for 24 hours (T7). The lowest germination percentage (18.7 %) was obtained from control (T0). The highest germination value (2.2) and germination energy (25) was also obtained in T4, which was significantly (p<0.05) different from the control and other treatments. Shoot length, root length, collar diameter and leaf number followed the same trend of higher value for T4 and T7 respectively. Similar trend was also observed in shoot, root and total seedling dry weight. Therefore, pre-sowing treatment, T4 was more effective in germination and production of quality seedling of Melia dubia in the nursery.
Salt Stress-Induced Responses in Cucumber Callus

Growth, nutrient acquision, osmotic potential, proline accumulation and protein content of cucumber callus were studied under the influence of sodium chloride salt stress. Friable callus were transferred to Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid media containing 2 mg. L -1 BA and 0.2 mg L -1 NAA. Salinity was induced by incorporating different concentrations [0.0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM] of sodium chloride (NaCl) to the medium. Callus growth and viability was negatively affected by salinity, where fresh and dry weight and TTC- reduction capacity declined significantly with elevated NaCl levels. NaCl-induced salinity reduced (more negative) callus cell sap osmotic potential. Total protein content declined significantly with increasing the concentration of NaCl, while more proline accumulated. Thus it is tempting to speculate that proline accumulation was due to breakdown of existing proteins rather than new synthesis. Sodium and Cl contents were increased by salinity, while the uptake of K, Ca and P were significantly reduced.
The influence of the physical structure of the protein matrix on wheat hardness

The influence of a range of factors on wheat hardness was investigated with particular reference to the physical structure of the endosperm protein matrix. Differences in hardness were found to involve the continuity of the protein matrix and the strength with which it physically entrapped starch granules. The primary determinant of wheat hardness is genetically controlled and appears to relate to factors influencing the degree of compactness of endosperm cell components. Environment and protein content are also of significance in determining the extent to which an ordered structure forms.
Leaf Blade Thickness Differentiation between Coastal and Freshwater Populations of the Coastal Plant Vitex rotundifolia (Verbenaceae)

Vitex rotundifolia (Verbenaceae) is one of the coastal plants that commonly grows on sandy seashores, but also occurs at Lake Biwa, a freshwater inland lake. To assess morphological differentiation between coastal and inland individuals with regard to the leaf thickness, we mea- sured nine populations of Vitex rotundifolia from Lake Biwa, Ise Bay in Pacific Ocean side and Wakasa Bay in Sea of Japan side. We measured leaf blade thickness and applied one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the difference. Post-hoc multiple comparison resulted in four major groups recognizing all inland populations from Lake Biwa as a distinct group while affiliation of coastal populations was assigned to other three groups regardless to localities. Inland individuals tended to have thinner leaves, implying intraspecific differentiation due to adaptation to habitat environments.
TRANSATLANTIC DEVELOPMENTAL MIGRATIONS OF LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES DEMONSTRATED BY mtDNA SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

Molecular markers based on mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region sequences were used to test the hypothesis that juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in pelagic habitats of the eastern Atlantic are derived from nesting populations in the western Atlantic. We compared mtDNA haplotypes from 131 pelagic juvenile turtles (79 from the Azores and 52 from Madeira) to mtDNA haplotypes observed in major nesting colonies of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. A subset of 121 pelagic samples (92%) contained haplotypes that match mtDNA sequences observed in nesting colonies. Maximum likelihood analyses (UCON, SHADRACQ) estimate that 100% of these pelagic juveniles are from the nesting populations in the southeastern United States and adjacent Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Estimated contributions from nesting populations in south Florida (0.71, 0.72), northern Florida to North Carolina (0.19, 0.17), and Quintana Roo, Mexico (0.11, 0.10) are consistent with the relative size of these nesting aggregates.
The presence of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Oslofjorden and considerations on the initial invasion pathways to the North and Baltic Seas

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is one of the most cited invasive species due to its ecological and economical impact that occurred in the Black and Caspian Seas in previous years. Recent reports on the species presence in the Baltic and North Seas alarmed the scientific community. While the earliest report of M. leidyi in the Baltic was spring 2006, this paper indicates of the presence of M. leidyi in the Oslofjorden as early as autumn 2005, and discusses the possible invasion routes from its native range along the eastern coast of the Americas.