Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of experimental season of prescribed fire and nutrient addition on structure and function of previously grazed grassland

Aims Understanding the drivers of grassland structure and function following livestock removal will inform grassland restoration and management. Here, we investigated the effects of fire and nutrient addition on structure and function in a subtropical semi-native grassland recently released from grazing in south-central Florida. We examined responses of soil nutrients, plant tissue nutrients, biomass of live, standing dead and litter, and plant species composition to experimental annual prescribed fire applied during different seasons (wet season vs. dry season), and nutrient additions (N, P and N + P) over 9 years. split-plot the main treatment and as nutrients were analyzed in 2004, 2006 and 2011. Soil total phosphorus (P) levels increased substantially with P addition but were not influenced by prescribed fire. Addition of P and N led to increased P and N concentrations in live plant tissues, but prescribed fire reduced N in live tissue. Levels of tissue N were higher in all plots at the beginning of the experiment, an effect that was likely due to grazing activity prior to removal of livestock. Plant tissue N steadily declined over time in all plots, with annually burned plots declining faster than unburned plots. Prescribed fire was an important driver of standing dead and litter biomass and was important for maintaining grass biomass and percent cover. Nutrient addition was also important: the addition of both N and P was associated with greater live biomass and woody forbs. Removal of grazing, lack of prescribed fire, and addition of N + P led to a reduction of grass biomass and a large increase in biomass of a woody forb. Annual prescribed fire promoted N loss from the system by reducing standing dead and litter, but maintained desirable biomass of grasses.
Evaluación de la resistencia a insecticidas en cepas de Aedes aegypti (Diptera Culicidae) de la Región Caribe de Costa Rica

Introduction: Dengue and chikungunya are anthroponotic virus infections transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These conditions affect large areas of the American continent, including Costa Rica. The recent introduction of Zika virus infection is a new challenge for health systems. Given the absence of antiviral treatment and vaccines, Aedes aegypti control is the only alternative to minimize the impact of these viral diseases. In Costa Rica chemical control of the vector is based on the use of pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) and the organophosphate larvicide temephos, hence the importance of detecting the emergence of resistance to these insecticides. Objective: Determine the level of resistance to temephos, cypermethrin and deltamethrin in three Aedes aegypti strains from the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, as well as the corresponding enzymatic detoxification mechanisms. Methods: Resistance to temephos, cypermethrin and deltamethrin was evaluated with larval bioassays. Groups of 20 larvae were exposed to 5 insecticide concentrations for 24 hours. Mortality ranged between 2 and 100 %. Each concentration was evaluated by means of five replications, and estimation was performed of the concentration causing 50 % lethality (CL50). The Rockefeller strain was used as susceptible control. Each strain underwent estimation of a 50 % resistance factor (RF50) for each insecticide. Whenever resistance was observed, the bioaasays were repeated with prior exposure of the larvae to piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S.S. S. phosphotrithiate tributyl (DEF) to evaluate the corresponding detoxification mechanism. Results: None of the strains evaluated was resistant to temephos. Incipient resistance to cypermethrin was detected in strains Guápiles and Limón (CL50= 0.01022, RF50= 7.35 and CL 50= 0.01016, RF50= 7.30, respectively), whereas resistance to deltamethrin was detected in the Siquirres strain (CL50= 0.01973 mg/L, RF50= 12.64). In the above-mentioned cases resistance decreased when pre-treatment with PBO was provided, indicating the presence of detoxification mediated by the Cyt P450 monooxygenase system. Conclusions: Results show that temephos continues to be effective for larval control of Aedes aegypti in the main areas of the Caribbean region of Costa Rica. A warning is hereby given about the emergence of pyrethroid resistance, leading to the need to optimize monitoring processes and the implementation of other chemical control alternatives.
Management of dominant Carex species on floodplain meadows

Carex acuta and Carex acutiformis have been identified as problem plant species on floodplain meadows in the UK and western Europe and invasive plants in wetland habitats in North America and Canada. A double-cut treatment has been proposed as a control method, however this has not been scientifically tested. This thesis explores the ecology of C.acuta and C.acutiformis , the effectiveness of a double cut treatment on their control, the effects of the cutting treatment on the plant community and potential mechanisms regulating the expansion and persistence of the dominant sedge species in sub-optimal conditions. Field trials were set up to monitor the effects of cutting treatment on the meadow vegetation and pot experiments assess the effects of cutting on Carex plant traits. Mesocosm experiments were also undertaken to explore the relationships between water regime, microbial community and plant competition. The field trials revealed that a double cut was a successful treatment to control C.acuta and C.acutiformis on floodplain meadows. The frequency of the cutting treatment was more important than the timing of the additional cut in controlling C.acuta and C.acutiformis . Carex traits were not affected by the timing of defoliation, however flowering in C.acuta significantly decreased with a double cut compared to a single cut. The microbial community had no effect on the plant community in the mesocosm experiment, the reasons for this are discussed. Drying stress decreased the yield, but not necessarily the percentage cover of the studied sedges and increased the cover of drought tolerant plants in the field and in the mesocosm experiments. Recommendations of short-term treatments to control C.acuta and C.acutiformis are presented in this study.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii on Okra in Korea

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench) is a newly introduced vegetable in Korea. In August 2014, hundreds of ‘Red Hope’ okra plants developed symptoms of powdery mildew in a plastic greenhouse in Iksan (35°56′38″N, 126°59′37″E), Korea. Powdery mildew colonies first appeared as white patches on both sides of the lower leaves, later resulting in reduced growth and premature senescence of the leaves and affected approximately 30% of the plants. In September 2017, about 40 okra plants grown in a hobby garden also developed symptoms of powdery mildew in Mokpo (34°47′40″N, 126°22′25″E), Korea. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F27261, F27993, and F28188 from Iksan; F30094 from Mokpo). Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores were straight, cylindric, 120 to 230 × 10 to 12 μm, and produced 3 to 5 immature conidia in chains with a crenate outline. Foot-cells of conidiophores were cylindric and 45 to 75 μm long. Conidia were ellipsoid-ovoid to barrel-shaped, measured 27 to 38 × 17 to 23 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.5 to 2.0, and had distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced from a lateral position on conidia. No chasmothecia were found during the growing seasons. These structures are typical of the genus Podosphaera (Braun and Cook 2012). To confirm the species identification, DNA of isolate KUS-F30094 was extracted from mycelia and PCR product was amplified using primers ITS5 and P3 (Takamatsu et al. 2009) for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, and sequenced directly. The sequence obtained was deposited in GenBank (accession no. MG754404). Comparison with reference sequences in GenBank resulted in >99% similarity to ITS sequences of P. xanthii (e.g., AB525914, EF050036, KJ472787, and KR822240). The morphological characteristics and molecular analysis were consistent with those of P. xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff (Braun and Cook 2012). Pathogenicity was confirmed by dusting conidia of a symptomatic leaf infected with isolate KUS-F27261 onto young leaves of three healthy, potted ‘Red Hope’ okra plants. Three noninoculated plants were used as controls. Inoculated plants and controls were maintained in a greenhouse at 24 to 30°C. Inoculated leaves developed symptoms after 5 days, whereas the control plants remained asymptomatic. The fungus present on the inoculated leaves was morphologically identical to that originally observed, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Okra powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii (syn. P. fuliginea) has been identified in Australia, Brazil, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Sudan, and Taiwan (Farr and Rossman 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii on okra in Korea. Okra is cultivated in commercial farms for its edible green seedpods. The occurrence of powdery mildew is a threat to the quality and marketability of okra, especially those organically grown where chemical control options are limited.
In Vitro Chromosomal Aberration Frequency by Electrofishing on Poecilia latipinna (Sailfin Molly) Fishes in Southern of Iraq

The present studies describe Chromosomal aberration effects of electrofishing, which were evaluated on Poecilia latipinna, located in Shat Al-Arab river in Al-garmma city (south of Iraq). The electrofishing derive used in work is simulated to that used in the commercial fishing. The apparatus generates voltage ranged from 40 to 280 volts. Nine bearers of Poecilia latipinna sailfin molly fish in chromosomal analysis were divided into three treatments. The first were a control, the fishes of the second were exposed to 110 volts (10 seconds), and final groups were exposed to 110 volts (15 seconds). Mitotic index of the electrofishing with a control for each group decreased with increasing exposed time in somatic cell kidney tissue of Poecilia latipinna. The chromosome aberration analysis revealed a significant increase in the most frequent aberration per 150 metaphase in analyzed groups (1.33 in T1 groups, 39.33 in T2 groups) was chromosome break, fragment, range chromosome, Sticky chromosome mean, were higher in comparison to non exposed electrical shock fishing groups (control groups T1). At the same time, it showed a higher positive correlation of total chromosome aberration frequencies between T1 and T2 groups, while, all fishes died in T3 groups. According to our results, we represented the first record in Iraq.
Study of the SAGA deubiquitination module: identification of new modulators and its implication on Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7

Regulation of chromatin by epigenetic modifications is a fundamental step during the control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. The participation of different factors including histone chaperones, chromatin remodeling complexes and histone-modifying complexes regulate chromatin dynamics and ensure the correct metabolism of transcripts that need to be exported to the cytoplasm. In these lines, post-translational modifications including monoubiquitination of histone H2B (H2Bub1) and methylation of histone H3 represent a well-studied histone cross-talk which is required for chromatin integrity and transcription. Additionally, the transition from H2Bub1 to its deubiquitinated form by Ubp8, the DUB enzyme from SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltranferase) co-activator complex, is fundamental to obtain a correct gene expression. In this work, we demonstrate that the histone chaperone Asf1 and the Ran-binding protein Mog1, participate in maintaining correct levels of H2Bub1. We show that Mog1 is required for the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3), hence, acting as a modulator of histone cross-talk. Mog1 role into gene expression is also demonstrated by its physical and genetically interaction with transcription factors including SAGA and COMPASS complexes. Indeed, we demonstrate that Mog1 interacts genetically with TREX-2 subunits and affects mRNA export. During this work, we have also focused in understanding the molecular mechanisms surrounding Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) which is a rare disease caused by amino acid glutamine (Q) repeats within the DUBm component, ATXN7. Therefore, our interest has been directed towards the study of new mechanisms that trigger SCA7 such as the DUB activity from SAGA complex, protein-protein interaction networks and metabolic profiles.
Effect of noise on vocal behaviour, physiological systems and reproductive success in birds

48 Introduction . 49 Methods . 51 Results. 55 Discussion . 58 CHAPTER III. TRAFFIC NOISE EXPOSURE ALONE MAY DELAY OFFSPRING GROWTH, BUT IS NOT A POTENT ENOUGH STRESSOR TO DISRUPT IMMUNE FUNCTION, STRESS PHYSIOLOGY OR REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN BREEDING BIRDS . 63 Abstract . 63. 63 Introduction . 64 Materials and methods . 67 Results. 71 Discussion . 76 GENERAL DISCUSSION . 83 REFERENCES . 96
THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FACTORS ON BULLS CARCASS CONFORMATION CLASS IN LITHUANIA

STIMBIRYS, A. , L. SHERNIENĖ, V. PRUSEVICHUS, V. JUKNA, Al. SHIMKUS and Al. SHIMKIENĖ, 2016. The infl uence of different factors on bulls carcass conformation class in Lithuania. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22: 627–634 The aim of this study was to identify the infl uence of cattle breed, age, live weight, carcass weight, and yield on beef carcass conformation class. The electronic databases from “Meat master” program, operated in Lithuanian slaughterhouses, were used in this study. The data, without being tied to one of them, taken from 75 bulls’ classifi ed carcasses, were divided into 5 (EUROP) conformation classes. Before slaughtering bulls according to their age were divided into 2 age categories A (up to 24 months) and B (over 24 months). Study results shown that bulls carcasses, included into supreme (E & U) conformation classes were obtained from specialized beef breeds (mostly Aubrac, or their crossbreds). It was detected that carcasses assessed by the lowest (O and P) conformation classes, bulls, mothers and fathers most frequently (79.7%) were obtained from a Lithuanian black and white and Lithuanian red breed cattle and their crossbreds; only 20.3% of the slaughtered bull parents were specialized beef (Charolais, Limousin, Simmental beef) breeds. Bulls, whose carcasses were evaluated with the excellent (E) conformation class, were 9.4 months (P ≤ 0.001) older than those with the lowest rate – poor (P) class. B category live cattle before slaughter were in 142 kg heavier (P ≤ 0.004), their carcass weight was in 130 kg more (P ≤ 0.0001), and carcass yield in 6.69% (P ≤ 0.001) greater than A. This study showed that beef carcass conformation class related to carcass weight. Increasing in carcass conformation class (from P to E) lifted carcass weight (from 250.7 kg. up to 399.1 kg.), as well as carcass yield percentage (on average about 3% for each of the class).
Root responses to elevated CO2, warming and irrigation in a semi‐arid grassland: Integrating biomass, length and life span in a 5‐year field experiment

Plant roots mediate the impacts of environmental change on ecosystems, yet knowledge of root responses to environmental change is limited because few experiments evaluate multiple environmental factors and their interactions. Inferences about root functions are also limited because root length dynamics are rarely measured. Using a 5‐year experiment in a mixed‐grass prairie, we report the responses of root biomass, length and life span to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, elevated CO2 and warming combined, and irrigation. Root biomass was quantified using soil cores and root length dynamics were assessed using minirhizotrons. By comparing root dynamics with published results for soil resources and above‐ground productivity, we provide mechanistic insights into how climate change might impact grassland ecosystems. In the upper soil layer, 0–15 cm depth, both irrigation and elevated CO2 alone increased total root length by twofold, but irrigation decreased root biomass and elevated CO2 had only small positive effects on root biomass. The large positive effects of irrigation and elevated CO2 alone on total root length were due to increases in both root length production and root life span. The increased total root length and life span under irrigation and elevated CO2 coincided with apparent shifts from water limitation of plant growth to nitrogen limitation. Warming alone had minimal effects on root biomass, length and life span in this shallow soil layer. Warming and elevated CO2 combined increased root biomass and total root length by c. 25%, but total root length in this treatment was lower than expected if the effects of CO2 and warming alone were additive. Treatment effects on total root length and root life span varied with soil depth and root diameter. Synthesis. Sub‐additive effects of CO2 and warming suggest studies of elevated CO2 alone might overestimate the future capacity of grassland root systems to acquire resources. In this mixed‐grass prairie, elevated CO2 with warming stimulated total root length and root life span in deeper soils, likely enhancing plant access to more stable pools of growth‐limiting resources, including water and phosphorus. Thus, these root responses help explain previous observations of higher, and more stable, above‐ground productivity in these projected climate conditions.
Effect of Extracellular Survivin and Lymphoma Exosomes on Natural Killer Cells

xiii Chapter 1. Peripheral Blood Cell Interactions with Cancer-derived Exosomes Affect Immune Function . 1 Abstract . 2 References . 14 2. Uptake of Lymphoma-Derived Exosomes by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes . 24 Abstract . 25 Introduction . 26 Materials and Methods . 28 Cell Culture . 28 Exosome Isolation . 29 Uptake of Exosomes . 29 Flow cytometry . 30 Microscopy . 30 Statistical Analysis . 31 Results . 31 Cellular Uptake Characterization of DLCL2 Exosomes . 31 Discussion . 35 Acknowledgments.40 References . 45
Assessing cultivar resistance to Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) using a phenotyping method under semi‐field conditions

The orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), can significantly reduce wheat yield. Growing resistant wheat cultivars is an effective way of managing this pest. The assessment of cultivar resistance in field trials is difficult because of unequal pressure of S. mosellana caused by differences in cultivar heading dates relative to the flight period of S. mosellana adult females and huge variations of egg laying conditions from 1 day to another. To overcome these hurdles and to expose all cultivars homogeneously to the pest, an assessment method of cultivar resistance was developed under semi‐field conditions. In 2015, the resistance of 64 winter wheat cultivars to S. mosellana was assessed. Few or no larvae developed in the ears of resistant cultivars, but in susceptible cultivars, large numbers of larvae developed. Seventeen cultivars proved to be resistant, whereas 47 were susceptible. The identification of new resistant cultivars offers more opportunities to manage S. mosellana. The phenotyping method is easy, cheap, efficient and reliable. It can be used to guide the breeding of new resistant wheat cultivars. Using specific midge populations, this method could also be used in research on new resistance mechanisms in winter wheat or in other cereal species.
Orbiliaceous nematode-trapping fungi and related species in Western Australia and their biological activities

Twenty-nine isolates of orbiliaceous nematode-trapping fungi including 19 species of the genera Arthrobotrys, Dactylellina, and Gamsylella were obtained from various substrata ranging from wood chips, cultivated soils, organic matter, moss cushions and dung samples from Western Australia. In addition, eight taxonomically related species were isolated. Among the orbiliaceous nematode-trapping species, A. amerospora, A. megalospora, A. multiformis, A. oligospora, and G. arcuata are new for the Australian fungal flora. All isolates were screened for their biological activities including predacious, enzymatic and mycoparasitic activities and chemotaxis. Production of nematode-trapping organs was induced, where applicable, by axenic cultures of a free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Although the secondary metabolites produced in pure culture by nematode-trapping fungi did not cause mortality of C. elegans, their predacious activity caused up to 90% mortality in C. elegans in Petri dishes between 0-4 days. Nematode-trapping fungi showed protease (63% of the isolates) and ligninase^(ll%) activity, none showed chitinase or cellulase activity on the solid media used. J.-O. Park et al. (2002). Orbiliaceous nematode-trapping fungi and related species in Western Australia and their biological activities. Australasian Mycologist 21 (2): 45-52.
Soil quality index for cacao cropping systems

ABSTRACT The soil quality index (SQI) for cacao cropping systems was developed to meet the nutritional criteria of the crop, the environmental safety of the cropping sites and the increasing demand for the production and quality of cocoa. Available water function (AWF), root growth function (RGF), mineral nutrition of plants function (MNF) and environmental safety function (ESF) for potentially toxic elements were included in the additive model of SQI for cacao cropping systems. In this study, over 66% of the cacao fields cropping sites were classified as regular SQI with a range of scores between 0.42 and 0.61. The field cropping site with the highest score (0.73) characterized as typic Alitic Red-Yellow Argisol was rated with high SQI. In contrast, the field cropping sites characterized as abrupt Cohesive Dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol (0.29), typic Dystrophic Haplic Cambisol (0.39), and latosolic Dystrophic Yellow Argisol (0.40) were rated with low SQI. MNF and AWF were the functions that most contributed to the increase or decrease of SQI scores. The SQI adapted expressed the agro-environmental reality of cacao cropping systems of Bahia, Brazil, and this could be a versatile tool to subsidize the adequate soil management of cacao plantations around the world.
Metano entérico de bovinos em pastagem a pleno sol e em sistema silvopastoril na Amazônia

The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of pasture and enteric methane (CH 4 ) emission of Curraleiro Pe-duro x Nellore cattle in a pasture of Megathyrsus maximus 'Mombaca', both in full sun and in a consortium with babassu palms ( Attalea spp.) in the Amazonian biome. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six steers per system, and the evaluations were done during the dry period (2015) and rainy period (2016). In comparison to forage in the full sun system, forage in the silvopastoral system showed, in the dry period, higher levels of crude protein, ether extract, total digestible nutrient, and in vitro digestible organic matter, and lower levels of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total carbohydrate (TCHO). In the rainy period, forage in the silvopastoral system showed higher levels of crude protein and a reduction of nonfibrous carbohydrate and TCHO. The CH 4 emissions were similar in both systems within the same period, and ranged from 44.0 to 74.2 kg per year per animal. During the dry period, the emission per kilogram of dry ingested matter and the loss of gross energy as methane were lower in the silvopastoral system. During the rainy period, the emissions were similar in both systems. The silvopastoral system yields forage with good quality in the dry period, and considering both periods, it is more efficient (emission of CH 4 per daily weight gain) than the system in full sun.