Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycorrhiza: A Common Form of Mutualism.

A MYCORRHIZA IS A STRUCTURE formed through the mutualistic association of a plant root and a fungus. Although mycorrhizae are far more common than the usually cited textbook examples of mutualism-lichens, termites and protozoans, and legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria-they have received little attention in general biology textbooks. Recent textbooks do mention mycorrhiza, however, and Smith's ecology book (1977) uses this phenomenon as its only example of mutualism. Although the concept of mycorrhizae was advanced as early as 1842 (Bergstrom 1976), research since that time has been sporadic. Only during the past decade have scientists been able to explain some of the far-reaching effects of mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are classified as ectomycorrhizae, endomycorrhizae, and ectendomycorrhizae. The classification categories reflect the position of the fungal symbiont within the root. If the hyphae are found within root cells, the association is termed an endomycorrhiza. Roots with hyphae between cells are referred to as ectomycorrhizae. A combination of both conditions is an ectendomycorrhiza. In all types of mycorrhizae, the fungus is limited to feeder or non-woody roots.
1986 survey of upland grassland in England and Wales: changes in age structure and botanical composition since 1970–72 in relation to grassland management and physical features

A sample of 10000 ha of grassland in seven upland districts originally surveyed in 1970–72 was re-surveyed in 1986. Forty percent of the area was above 240 m elevation, 38% had gradients above 81/2°, 29% had poor or bad drainage and 54% was classified as having difficult or severe limitations to management. Twelve percent had been reseeded within the previous 5 years and 39% within 20 years; 6% was classified as arable grassland (in rotation with crops). Thirty-four percent was usually mown, two-thirds of it for silage. In most years 72% of grassland received fertilizer N (average application 123 kg N ha−1) and 35% received organic manure; nearly 20% received neither. Older swards tended to receive lower rates of fertilizer N than reseeds, hay fields and grazed fields less than silage fields, and fields on beef/sheep farms less than those on dairy farms. The proportion of sown species in swards averaged 35%, of which Lolium perenne accounted for 23%. A good contribution of Trifolium repens was recorded in 15% of the grassland. Herb species were recorded in 30% of the grassland, mostly in situations with low fertilizer N under hay or grazing. Agrostis spp. , Poa spp. , Holcus lanatus and Festuca rubra were the main unsown grasses. The average contribution of L. perenne had increased since 1970–72; it was also present in two-thirds of the area from which it was absent in 1970–72, whilst the contribution of T. repens had decreased. The incidence of Cirsium arvense and Ranunculus spp. had also decreased, whilst that of Pteridium aquilinum had increased.
A revision of the gall-forming coccoid genus Apiomorpha Rübsaamen (Homoptera : Eriococcidae : Apiomorphinae)

A systematic revision of the gall-forming coccoid genus Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Eriococcidae : Apiomorphinae) is presented. Thirty-eight species are recognized, of which four are new: A. densispinosa, A. intermedia, A. malleeacola and A. tepperi. One species, A. munita (Schrader), has been divided into three subspecies: A. m. munita s. str. , A. m. tereflcornuta, subsp. nov., and A. m. malleensis, subsp. nov. Ten new synonyms are proposed, as follows (junior synonym first): A. dumosa Froggatt = A. minor (Froggatt); A. egeria Short = A. ovicoloides (Tepper); A. fletcheri (Fuller) = A. karschi Rubsaamen; A. floralis (Froggatt) = A. ovicola (Schrader); A. fusiformis Froggatt = A. rosaeformis (Froggatt); A. globosa Froggatt = A. baeuerleni (Froggatt); A. longmani Froggatt = A. frenchi Froggatt; A. rugosa (Froggatt) = A. baeuerleni (Froggatt); A. thorntoni (Froggatt) = A. pharetrata (Schrader); A. umbellata (Froggatt) = A. calycina (Tepper). Fourteen species-groups, which each comprise one to five species, are recognized, and familial and subfamilial affinities are discussed. The adult female, the gall of the female and, where available, the gall of the male are described and illustrated for each species except A. cucurbita Fuller, which is poorly known from only the gall of the female. Two keys to the species, one based on adult females and the other on galls of females, are provided. Distribution and host-plant data are presented for each species. Many species of Apiomorpha have a taxonomically diverse host-plant range; those species with more restricted host-plant associations are usually found on two or more closely related eucalypt species.
Effects of tempering and degree of processing of barley grain on the performance of bulls in the feedlot

A 2 × 3 factorially designed experiment with 216 bull calves (288 ± 43 kg) was conducted in which tempered and dry barley grains were lightly rolled (most of kernels cracked, few broken), medium rolled, or crushed (almost all kernels broken) and included in a feedlot diet containing 90% concentrate and 10% barley silage on a dry matter (DM) basis. In the tempering process 6% water was added to the control barley, which initially contained 13% moisture, and the damp grain was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature before rolling. Tempering had no influence on rate or efficiency of gain of the bulls during the 134-d trial or on carcass characteristics. Cattle fed slightly rolled, medium rolled, and crushed barley (kernel thicknesses of 2.70, 2.56 and 2.31 mm) gained 1.55, 1.57 and 1.61 kg d−1, respectively, with no difference detected between treatments. Corresponding DM intakes were 8.04, 7.79 and 7.54 kg d−1 (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake to gain ratios were 5.20, 4.96 and 4.68 (P < 0.05). Carcasse.
A review of the Islamic approach in public health practices

ABSTRACT Public Health’s aspiration has always been to provide a comprehensive system in which the whole population, not merely individuals, can be healthy. Sadly, religion particularly Islam, is rarely associated with Public Health in this modern era, perhaps because people are complacent and preoccupied with worldly knowledge. Islam considers health as a basic human right and much success in Public Health history and activities have actually been linked to some of the Islamic approaches. Hand washing procedures and encouragement of breastfeeding are examples of Islamic basic practices. The incorporation of these measures into public health practices has greatly contributed to the health of the population and increased life expectancy. However literature on the relation between Islam and Public Health is scarce and one of the reasons is probably because those Islamic references were written in the Arabic language, which many do not understand. Therefore the aim of this article is to share some of the evidence of Islamic practices based on the Qur’an and Sunnah in various aspects such as knowledge, practical prevention and health care which played a key role and pioneer in the field of Public Health. Keywords: Islam, Qur’an, Sunnah, Hadith, Public Health
A Study On Thyroxine and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in Women During Pregnancy

Study on 50 pregnant women in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad revealed non significant difference in T4 and TSH levels between women of 2nd and 3rd trimester. Similarly, T4 and TSH levels showed no statistical difference between those women of multivitamins and iodine supplements and those did not used. The correlation between T4 and TSH was higher and negative in women having normal body weight to their height and those did not used multivitamins tablets. However, a positive correlation between T4 and TSH was observed in women those used iodine and negative in women those did not iodine.
Adaptive variation in sex determination in a crustacean, Gammarus duebeni

In some animals sex is determined after conception by environmental factors (environmental sex determination. ESD). In the amphipod Gammarus duebeni sex is reportedly determined by photoperiod: there is a higher proportion of males in broods reared under long-day than under short-day photoperiods. It has been proposed that this is an adaptive response to seasonal population dynamics. A test of the hypothesis would be to demonstrate changes in the degree to which sex is determined by the environment in populations from different latitudes with different dynamics. This study reports such a test. Environmental response is significantly less strong in a southern population with a long breeding season than in a northern one in which breeding is seasonally restricted. Moreover, the threshold of the ESD cue for male or female determination is not defined when the breeding season is weakly seasonal. There is a broad correlation between latitude (and hence breeding seasonality) and the strength of ESD response across a series of population studies. Similarities between the Gammarus system of sex determination and that of the Atlantic silverside Menidia menidia, a fish with thermal ESD, are discussed.
ANTIBODY FORMATION

Injection of a sufficient dose of bacteriophage φX 174 into guinea pigs results in the formation of rapidly sedimenting antibody molecules (19S), and later, slowly sedimenting molecules (7S). Above a threshold dose of antigen, the relative rate of 19S formation is maximal and dose-independent; below this dose, slower relative rates are obtained. The time for doubling the serum 19S level is as short as 6 to 8 hours, suggesting that the absolute rate of antibody formation per cell is increasing in addition to proliferation of antibody-producing cells. Synthesis of 19S after injection of 1010 φX virtually ceases at 10 days after which 19S antibody activity disappears from the circulation with a half-life of approximately 24 hours. A second injection of φX on day 5 or 9 prolongs 19S synthesis, indicating that antigen not only can regulate the relative rate, but also is essential for continued synthesis of 19S. 19S synthesis is also prolonged in guinea pigs by injection of φX with endotoxin or by 400 r whole body x-irradiation 24 hours after injection of phage into rabbits. The primary 7S response is not detected until approximately 1 week after immunization and relative rates are antigen-dependent. Primary 7S synthesis can continue for many months and leads to preparation for a secondary antibody response (immunological memory) during which only 7S is detected. In contrast, in animals that form precipitating 19S without detectable 7S, a second injection of phage 1 month later results in a second 19S response which closely resembles the first. These findings have led to the suggestion that formation of 19S does not lead to persisting immunological memory.
Microsatellite Variation in Namibian Brown Hyenas (Hyaena brunnea): Population Structure and Mating System Implications

Abstract The genetic structure of brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) populations in any part of their distribution is unknown. Brown hyenas live in clans whose territories and membership change, making nongenetic estimates of population structure and relatedness among individuals difficult to establish. Sixty-one brown hyenas from the west coast of Namibia were genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci designed for the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). We found reduced microsatellite variation in brown hyenas compared to spotted hyenas. Using nonhierarchical analyses we detected no major genetic subdivisions across the area sampled in Namibia, but weak differentiation among 2 clans in the southern portion of the range. Females within clans were significantly more related (rwc♀♀ = 0.34 ± 0.072 SE) than females between clans (rbc♀♀ = 0.022 ± 0.033) and than females and males in clans (rwc♀♂ = 0.058 ± 0.076). Examination of these data indicates that dominant males were not related to dominant females and that there is multiple paternity within clans.
Biofiltration onto pine bark for the treatment of water contaminated with atrazine: influence of sorbent on Pseudomonas sp. strain adp

A combination of adsorption and biodegradation processes was studied as a potential for the treatment of water contaminated with atrazine. Pine bark was used as a cheap and readily available sorbent, and Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP as atrazine degrader. Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP was found to be able to grow in the aqueous bark extract and to use the soluble bark organics as carbon sources. However, a lag period of about 25 hours was observed in cultures in sterile bark extract for the growth and atrazine biodegradation as compared with the cultures grown in a mineral medium. In pine bark aqueous extract, Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP was shown to mineralize 75% of atrazine in 330 hours (initial concentration of 44.2 μg.L -1 ). The presence of sterile pine bark particles (liquid to solid ratio of 20) in mineral medium reduced the yield down to 50% due to atrazine sorption onto bark.
The distribution and habitat requirements of the genus Orobanche L. (Orobanchaceae) in SE Poland

The distribution of the genus Orobanche in SE Poland is presented. The study area stretches between the Vistula and the Bug rivers, and comprises the Polish areas of the Lublin-Lwow Upland, the Wolyn Upland and the southern part of Polesie. Eight species of the genus Orobanche : O. alba , O. alsatica , O. arenaria , O. caryophyllacea , O. elatior , O. lutea , O. pallidiflora , O. picridis , were collected during floristic investigations conducted between 1999 and 2010. The hosts, abundance and habitat preferences at the localities are given and a supplemented map of the distribution in SE Poland is included.
Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para Babesia bovis em rebanhos leiteiros na região sul de minas gerais

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de determinar a prevalencia e os fatores de risco associados a soropositividade para Babesia bovis em 556 bovinos leiteiros procedentes de dez propriedades localizadas no sul de Minas Gerais, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com a producao media diaria de leite: Alta Producao (AP) >2.000 l de leite/dia, e Baixa Producao (BP) 500 l de leite/dia. Os soros foram submetidos a reacao de imunofluorescencia indireta (RIFI) para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-B. bovis e considerados positivos na diluicao de 1:320. A analise estatistica foi realizada no programa SPSS 12.0 for Windows e se buscou determinar a associacao entre niveis de positividade para B. bovis nos rebanhos e os fatores de risco por meio do Teste Exato de Fischer. Para testar a diferenca das medias de soropositividade, foi utilizado o teste T Student e em todos os calculos considerou-se o grau de significância de 95%. A prevalencia media global de bovinos infectados por B. bovis foi de 94,1% (523/556). Nao houve diferenca significativa na frequencia media de anticorpos anti-B. bovis entre as propriedades leiteiras dos grupos de AP (95,97%) e BP (92,22%); e o mesmo resultado foi observado entre os animais jovens e adultos de ambos os grupos. Nao foi observada associacao significativa entre os fatores de risco avaliados e a taxa de bovinos positivos para B. bovis. A alta prevalencia de rebanhos leiteiros soropositivos permite caracterizar, epidemiologicamente, a microrregiao de Lavras, sul de Minas Gerais, como area de elevada estabilidade endemica para B. bovis.
Varietal response in wheat to water supply in the field, and male sterility caused by a period of drought in a glasshouse experiment

SUMMARY Field experiments in 1961 and 1962 with four winter wheat varieties (Professeur Marchal, Cappelle-Desprez, Hybrid 46 and Holdfast) compared three water regimes: irrigation to prevent the soil water deficit exceeding 2 in. ; shielding from rain; and normal rainfall. The experiments were done on soils selected for their liability to drought. Grain yield was decreased by water deficit; the effects differed between varieties, but the varietal differences were not consistent in the 2 years. In glasshouse experiments, plants of Cappell-Desprez were subjected to drought for 3–4 days during ear development and subsequently watered normally. When this treatment preceded pollen meiosis by a few days many of the lower florets of each spikelet were male-sterile but female-fertile. Also there was often proliferation, within the spikelet, of normally fertile florets above the male-sterile ones, showing that the number of florets formed may increase until a late stage in ear development. The results of the field experiment suggested that grain yield was restricted by the capacity of the grains as sinks for photosynthates. If so, a genetic improvement in grain yield could be obtained by breeding for an increase in number of florets per spikelet.
Comparative Analysis of the Male Reproductive System in Bothriuridae Scorpions: Structures Associated with the Paraxial Organs and the Presence of Sperm Packages (Chelicerata, Scorpiones)

Abstract The male reproductive system of seven species of the family Bothriuridae are compared. These scorpions are Bothriurus flavidus Kraepelin, B. cordubensis Acosta, B. bonariensis (C. L. Koch), B. chacoensis Maury & Acosta, Brachistosternus ferrugineus (Thorell), Timogenes dorbignyi (Guerin-Meneville), T. elegans (Mello-Leitao) and Urophonius brachycentrus Pocock (Bothriuridae). Additional comparisons are made with the buthid Zabius fuscus (Thorell). Observations on the structures associated with the paraxial organs (testis, seminal vesicle and accessory glands) are given. Sperm obtained from the male reproductive tract and fresh spermatophores as well as from the female's genital atrium and seminal receptacles are examined. Accessory glands occur in six out of eight studied bothriurids and in the buthid Z. fuscus . In most species the distal portion of vas deferens has a developed ampulla. All structures vary in size and shape depending on species. Sperm packages were observed in all bothriurids. In contrast, there is no packaged spermatozoa in Z. fuscus . Each sperm package consists of many spermatozoa surrounded by a common membrane that breaks after the spermatophore capsule is everted into the female genital atrium, releasing the spermatozoa. One hour after insemination, the spermatozoa are found in the atrium and in the seminal receptacles of B. flavidus females, but after 24h spermatozoa are found only in the seminal receptacles. The functional significance of the accessory glands and the presence-absence of sperm packages are discussed.
Effects of Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry on rainforest vegetation and understorey microclimate near a road, powerline and stream

Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry damaged a large swathe of rainforest to the west of Innisfail in north-eastern Queensland on 20 March 2006. Within the path of the most destructive core of the cyclone were sites previously established along human-made (powerlines and highways) and natural (streams) linear canopy openings for a study of edge effects on adjacent rainforest plant communities and associated microclimates. Vegetation damage and understorey microclimate parameters were measured 6 months after the passage of Cyclone Larry and compared with results before the cyclone. We examined the spatial patterns of vegetation damage in relation to natural and artificial linear clearing edges and the vegetation structural factors influencing these patterns as well as resulting alterations to microclimate regimes experienced in the rainforest understorey. Vegetation damage was spatially patchy and not elevated near linear clearing edges relative to the forest interior and did not differ between edge types. Vegetation damage was influenced, albeit relatively weakly, by structural traits of individual trees and saplings, especially size (diameter at breast height, d.b.h.) and successional status: tree damage was greater in pioneer species and in larger trees, while sapling damage was greater in canopy tree species than in understorey tree or shrub species. Changes in the understorey microclimate mirrored the degree of damage to vegetation. Where vegetation damage appeared greater, the understorey microclimate was brighter, warmer, drier and windier than below less-damaged areas of the forest canopy. Overall, understorey light availability, wind speed and the diurnal ranges of air temperature and vapour pressure deficit increased dramatically after Cyclone Larry, while pre-cyclone edge gradients in light availability were lost and temperature and vapour pressure deficit gradients were reversed.
Comparative feeding of male dairy, beef cattle and swamp buffalo. I. Economics of beef production

Due to rising trend of beef demand in Asia in the next two decades it is necessary to find additional sources of beef supply. In most Southeast Asian countries, male dairy and swamp buffalo have not yet been raised for a primary purpose of quality beef production. This study was aimed to compare growth and feeding performances as well as economic returns from feeding male dairy, beef cattle and swamp buffalo for quality beef. Thirty-six animals, 12 of each breed group, were used in feeding trial to compare the cost of beef production. Two levels of concentrate feeding, 1.75% of body weight (BW) and 1.00% of BW, were used for each breed group in order to compare feeding methods i.e. high and low levels. Within each breed group two animals of similar initial BW were randomly assigned to the two levels of feeding. The animals were fed from about 150 kg BW until reaching the final weight of about 400 kg. The results from this study showed that under the prevailing economic conditions in Thailand the cost of beef production from buffalo was lowest due to very low cost of feeder stocks, followed by dairy and beef. However, the cost of feeding per kg of BW gain was lowest in beef and highest in buffalo i.e. when disregarding the differences in cost of feeder stocks. Beef calves grew faster than dairy and buffalo, with better feed efficiencies. The results indicated that beef cattle could be more suitable for beef production for high-quality beef market, while buffalo could be more suitable for small farms where high roughage feeding is common. Male dairy calves appeared to require higher level of concentrate feeding than 1% BW in order to maintain good body conditions. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002.
Use of Additional Substrate to Enhance Growth Performance of Milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsskal) in Inland Saline Groundwater Ponds

Abstract Milkfish, Chanos chanosfingerlings were cultured in inland saline groundwater ponds. Bamboo poles as additional substrate were used to increase the surface area of the ponds (Treated ponds). Controls, without the provision of additional substrate, were also maintained. After a culture period of 60 days, significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth was observed in treated ponds (mean fish wt. 86.6±2.4 g; SGR 1.5±0.01) as compared to controls (mean fish wt. 50.2±1.2 g; SGR 1.0±0.1). Length-weight relationship showed high exponential value (n) of length in treated ponds (n = 2.49) in comparison with controls (n = 1.63). Significant differences in most of the water quality parameters were not observed between the two treatments; however, turbidity, NH4-N, net primary productivity, chlorophyll apheophytin aand zooplankton population were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in controls. Significantly, (P < 0.05) high periphyton biomass in terms of dry matter (DM) (1.5±0.02 mg/cm2), chlorophyll a (13.5±1.1 μg/cm2), pheophytin a (8.3±1.2 μg/cm2) and mean periphyton productivity (1.4 mg C/m2/day) were observed at a depth of 50 cm in treated ponds. Autotrophic index was significantly (P < 0.05) low at 50 cm depth than at the other depths. Low values of epilithic periphyton density in ponds provided with additional substrate indicate the incorporation of planktonic flora and fauna in periphyton development. These investigations thus clearly suggest that the provision of additional substrate in culture ponds resulted in higher yield of milkfish.