Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity of Seven Deciduous Azalea Species (Rhododendron spp. section Pentanthera) Native to the Eastern United States

phenogram ABSTRACT. Despite the ecologic and economic importance of native deciduous azaleas (Rhododendron L. section Pentanthera G. Don), our understanding of interspecific variation of North American deciduous azalea species comes principally from morphologic studies. Furthermore, little is known concerning intraspecific or interpopulation genetic variation. With ever-increasing loss and fragmentation of native azalea habitat in the eastern United States due to anthropogenic activity, it is imperative that an understanding of natural genetic variation among and within species and populations is acquired. The present study addresses questions of genetic diversity through the use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Twenty-five populations of seven species of native azalea were analyzed using three primer pairs that amplified a total of 417 bands. Based on analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and estimates of Nei's coefficients of gene diversity (HS, HT, and GST), the majority of variation found in deciduous azalea occurs within populations. Variation both among species and among population was low, likely the effect of common ancestryas wellasfrequent introgression among members (and populations) of sectionPentanthera. The latter was evident in four populations of R. prunifolium (Small) Millais and R. canescens (Michaux) Sweet that were highly related to R. austrinum (Small) Rehder and R. viscosum (L.) Torrey, respectively. Despite these outliers, most populations were grouped into species based on Nei's unbiased genetic distances viewed as an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) phenogram. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to breeding in section Pentanthera.
Deficit Irrigation of Soya Bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in a Sub‐humid Climate

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of water deficit on yield and crop water requirement of soya beans in a sub-humid environment (Southern Marmara region, Bursa, Turkey) in 2005 and 2006. One full-irrigated treatment (T 1 ), one non-irrigated treatment (T 5 ) and three different deficit irrigation (T 2 =25 % water deficit, T 3 = 50 % water deficit, T 4 = 75 % water deficit) treatments were applied to 'Nova' soya bean planted on a clay soil. Non-irrigated and all deficit irrigation treatments significantly reduced biomass and seed yield and yield components. The full-irrigated (T 1 ) treatment had the highest yield (3760 kg ha -1 ), while the non-irrigated (T 5 ) treatment had the lowest yield (2069 kg ha -1 ), a 45.0 % seed yield reduction. T 2 , T 3 and T 4 deficit irrigation treatments produced 11.7-27.4 % less seed yield than the T 1 treatment. Harvest index showed less and irregular variation among irrigation treatments. Both leaf area per plant and leaf area index were significantly reduced at all growth stages as amount of irrigation water was decreased. Evapotranspiration increased with increased amounts of irrigation water supplied. Our results indicate that higher amounts of irrigation resulted in higher seed yield, whereas water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency values decreased when irrigation amount increased.
High predictability in introduction outcomes and the geographical range size of introduced Australian birds: a role for climate

Summary 1 We investigated factors hypothesized to influence introduction success and subsequent geographical range size in 52 species of bird that have been introduced to mainland Australia. 2 The 19 successful species had been introduced more times, at more sites and in greater overall numbers. Relative to failed species, successfully introduced species also had a greater area of climatically suitable habitat available in Australia, a larger overseas range size and were more likely to have been introduced successfully outside Australia. After controlling for phylogeny these relationships held, except that with overseas range size and, in addition, larger-bodied species had a higher probability of introduction success. There was also a marked taxonomic bias: gamebirds had a much lower probability of success than other species. A model including five of these variables explained perfectly the patterns in introduction success across-species. 3 Of the successful species, those with larger geographical ranges in Australia had a greater area of climatically suitable habitat, traits associated with a faster population growth rate (small body size, short incubation period and more broods per season) and a larger overseas range size. The relationships between range size in Australia, the extent of climatically suitable habitat and overseas range size held after controlling for phylogeny. 4 We discuss the probable causes underlying these relationships and why, in retrospect, the outcome of bird introductions to Australia are highly predictable.
Interactions of genotype with site for height and stem straightness in Pinus taeda in Zimbabwe

The magnitude and importance of genotype x environment interactions (GXE) for stem height and straightness at 2, 10, 14 and 23 years of age were estimated for Pinus taeda L. planted at four sites in Zimbabwe. Genetic correlations between heights at different sites varied from low to high (0.18 to 0.95). They were not consistent across the different ages, but were generally high between all sites at younger ages and progressively diminished with age. These results suggest that early growth assessments may not be reliable for predicting GXE at maturity. Genetic correlations between stem straightness scores at different sites also varied from low to high (-0.13 to 0.95); those between sites A and C, and between sites B and D, were consistently high (>0.84) at ages greater than 2 years. On the basis of the magnitude of genetic correlations, site B was generally the best selection site for height. At 23 years, there was no single best selection site for height. There did not appear to be any single environmental factor that influenced GXE for height, making it difficult to classify environments. Since GXE interactions were unpredictable for height, the value of the multiple population breeding strategy adopted for P. taeda in Zimbabwe may not be high. Genetic correlations for straightness were high between sites A and C and between sites B and D, suggesting similarity within these two pairs of sites. On the basis of correlations between breeding values and weighted aggregate genetic merit, site A was the best single site for selection to improve the average performance across all four sites. Consequently, a single breeding population could be established at site A.
Expression of Nigrostriatal α6-Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Is Selectively Reduced, but Not Eliminated, by β3 Subunit Gene Deletion

mRNAs for the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 and β3 subunits are abundantly expressed and colocalized in dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Studies using subunit-null mutant mice have shown that α6- or β3-dependent nAChRs bind α-conotoxin MII (α-CtxMII) with high affinity and modulate striatal dopamine release. This study explores the effects of β3 subunit-null mutation on striatal and midbrain nAChR expression, composition, and pharmacology. Ligand binding and immunoprecipitation experiments using subunit-specific antibodies indicated that β3-null mutation selectively reduced striatal α6* nAChR expression by 76% versus β3+/+ control. Parallel experiments showed a smaller reduction in both midbrain α3* and α6* nAChRs (34 and 42% versus β3+/+ control, respectively). Sedimentation coefficient determinations indicated that residual α6* nAChRs in β3–/– striatum were pentameric, like their wild-type counterparts. Immunoprecipitation experiments on immunopurified β3* nAChRs demonstrated that almost all wild-type striatal β3* nAChRs also contain α4, α6, and β2 subunits, although a small population of non-β3 α6* nAChRs is also expressed. β3 subunit incorporation seemed to increase α4 participation in α6β2* complexes. 125I-Epibatidine competition binding studies showed that the α-CtxMII affinity of α6* nAChRs from the striata of β3–/– mice was similar to those isolated from β3+/+ animals. Together, the results of these experiments show that the β3 subunit is important for the correct assembly, stability and/or transport of α6* nAChRs in dopaminergic neurons and influences their subunit composition. However, β3 subunit expression is not essential for the expression of α6*, high-affinity α-CtxMII binding nAChRs.
Identification and analysis of novel insect head patterning genes

The insect head is a composite structure of several segments and an anterior non-segmental region. Due to head involution, the Drosophila larval head is strongly reduced and for technical reasons the developmental basis of head formation has not been comprehensively studied in Drosophila. In order to elucidate this process I used the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum as model, focussing on the anterior median region (AMR) of the head, which harbors labrum and stomodeum. This region is patterned by a different set of genes than the surrounding tissues. The AMR development has already been studied using the candidate approach, which focused on genes previously identified in Drosophila. In order to identify a comprehensive list of genes involved in the formation of the AMR independent from previous knowledge, I used the unbiased large scale RNA interference screen (iBeetle-screen). From the iBeetle results, I was able to identify three interesting genes which are required for proper labrum formation. Both Tc-Serrate and Tc-mib1 are components of the Notch signaling pathway, which is known to be required e.g. for the formation of the joints and growth of adult legs and appendages in Drosophila and Tribolium. I showed that Tc-Ser is expressed during early AMR formation, but is not necessary for the early pattering process. During early labrum formation Notch signaling is required for the regulation of cell proliferation like in the Drosophila eye and wing imaginal discs. The labrum was suggested to be an appendage like structure, patterned by the same regulatory gene network. However, the results in this work indicate that Notch-signaling is acting upstream of the leg patterning network in the labrum in contrast to its function in the legs. Another novel gene required for labrum development is the GATA transcription factor Tc-grain. In Drosophila, grain is required for neurogenesis by regulating the axon guidance and in morphogenesis of the adult legs and the larval posterior spiracles. I showed that the expression of Tc-grn is conserved to Drosophila. Additionally, I showed that Tc-grn in Tribolium is likely to be involved in amnion development and is required for proper labrum formation probably by regulating morphogenesis.
Seed dynamics of two fire-dependent Geranium species in the boreal forest of southeastern Sweden

We analyzed critical life-history variables for two rare fire-dependent annual Geranium species in southern Sweden, which are today threatened because of effective fire suppression. At recently burned sites with abundant recruitment, seedlings occurred only where the humus layer had been completely removed by smoldering fire. Emergence depths ranged 1–6 cm in the mineral soil. Soil sampling at four sites revealed that in unburned soil Geranium seeds were located only in the mineral soil. Surprisingly, residual seeds were still present where fire had burned away the humus layer. An experiment showed that both species deposit seeds relatively evenly within a radius of 5–6 m, through ballistic dispersal. Repeated sampling in the field over a 2-year period after seed dispersal at one site indicated a low rate of seed depletion, corroborated by an indoor incubation of seeds. Our results show that successful management of these species depend on deep-burning prescribed fire, which can only result after severe d.
Net energy systems for poultry feeds: a quantitative review

The concentrations of utilisable energy per unit of price is important information to allow choices to be made between feedstuffs for practical dietary formulations. There has been a long lasting debate as to whether net energy (NE) or metabolisable energy (ME) is preferable. Only one large data set of empirically determined net energy concentrations (NEp) of feedstuffs for poultry has been published. Although the ME system for describing the utilisable energy concentrations of feedstuffs is now widely used, different metabolised nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate) are utilised with different relative efficiencies for energy deposition. More recently, methods of predicting the NE of feeds from equations have been suggested. These include information on nutrient digestibility with or without determined ME values with corrections according to the efficiency by which the nutrients are utilised. The objectives of the present study were, firstly, to evaluate the relationship between determined apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and determined NEp concentrations for a range of poultry feedstuffs and, secondly, the relationship between four different NE prediction equations and determined NEp concentrations was evaluated using the same data set. There was a positive linear regression (p
Spring warming and carbon dioxide exchange over low Arctic tundra in central Canada

Tundra‐atmosphere exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour were measured near Daring Lake, Northwest Territories in the Canadian Low Arctic for 3 years, 2004–2006. The measurement period spanned late‐winter until the end of the growing period. Mean temperatures during the measurement period varied from about 2 °C less than historical average in 2004 and 2005 to 2 °C greater in 2006. Much of the added warmth in 2006 occurred at the beginning of the study, when snow melt occurred 3 weeks earlier than in the other years. Total precipitation in 2006 (163 mm) was more than double that of the driest year, 2004 (71 mm). The tundra was a net sink for CO2 carbon in all years. Mid‐summer net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) achieved maximum values of −1.3 g C m−2 day−1 (2004) to −1.8 g C m−2 day−1 (2006). Accumulated NEE values over the 109‐day period were −32,−51 and −61 g C m−2 in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The larger CO2 uptake in 2006 was attributed to the early spring coupled with warmer air and soil conditions. In 2004, CO2 uptake was limited by the shorter growing season and mid‐summer dryness, which likely reduced ecosystem productivity. Seasonal total evapotranspiration (ET) ranged from 130 mm (2004) to 181 mm (2006) and varied in accordance with the precipitation received and with the timing of snow melt. Maximum daily ET rates ranged from 2.3 to 2.7 mm day−1, occurring in mid July. Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUEeco) varied slightly between years, ranging from 2.2 in the driest year to 2.5 in the year with intermediate rainfall amounts. In the wettest year, increased soil evaporation may have contributed to a lower WUEeco (2.3). We speculate that most, if not all, of the modest growing season CO2 sink measured at this site could be lost due to fall and winter respiration leading to the tundra being a net CO2 source or CO2 neutral on an annual basis. However, this hypothesis is untested as yet.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, NUTRITIONAL/ANTI-NUTRITIONAL AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITIONS OF NIGERIA MELANTHERA SCANDENS

Dried leaves of Melanthera scandens were analyzed for its proximate composition and the result obtained showed that, it has ash content (14.23%), moisture (7.35%) and crude protein (25.13%), crude fibre (6.59%), fat (9.43%) and carbohydrate (37.40%). The result of the phytochemical screening shows the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycoside. Steroid and phlobatanin were absent. The result for anti nutrients shows that it contains, tannic acid (0.11%), phytin phosphorous (5.34 mg/kg), phytic acid, (18.94 mg/kg), saponin (6.42%), alkaloids (8.90%), flavonoids (3.72%) and oxalate (3.06%). The leaves were also found to be rich in minerals like phosphorus (111.57 mg/100 g), sodium (22.41 mg/100 g), potassium (39.71 mg/100 g), calcium (30.26 mg/100 g), magnesium (42.55 mg/100 g) and zinc (37.83 mg/100 g). It also has some trace elements like iron 5.11 mg/100 g, manganese 0.22 mg/100 g, but elements like copper, cadmium, chromium and lead were not detected in the leaves. Amino acids composition on the leaves revealed an high value of glutamic acid (8.69 g/100 gcp), aspartic acid (8.63 g/100 gcp) and leucine (7.55 g/100 gcp). It has a low level of cystine (0.78 g/100 gcp), histidine (1.81 g/100 gcp), methionine (0.91 g/100 gcp) and serine (1.99 g/100 gcp). The values of isoleucine (4.03 g/100 gcp), glycine (3.15 g/100 gcp), threonine (4.09 g/100 gcp) and valine (3.93 g/100 gcp) were moderate. The amino acid composition showed correlation with some of the essential amino acid with respect to FAO/WHO provisional pattern. The results of this research indicates that the leaves of melanthera scandens plants have nutritional qualities that could provide the users and consumers with additional nutrients and the presence of phytochemicals indicated that it is a potential source of drug.
Growth and Photosynthesis of Single-Stemmed Roses as Affected by Macro- and Micro-Element Amendment in a Closed Aeroponic System

The effect of mineral nutritional control on the growth and photosynthesis of single-stemmed roses ‘Red Velvet’ and ‘Vital’ was examined in order to find a method of controlling inorganic ions properly. Levels of inorganic ions in a closed aeroponic system were adjusted by changing electrical conductivity (EC treatment), concentrations of N, P and K (NPK treatment), macro-elements (M treatment), and macro- and micro-elements (MM treatment) and by supplementing a nutrient solution of 1.5 dSㆍm? ¹ (S treatment). The photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for ‘Vital’ were high in the S treatment, but low in the EC and NPK treatments. In ‘Red Velvet’ these were the greatest in the MM treatment, and showed a tendency of being low in the EC and S treatments. Both cultivars showed lower Fo and higher Fm and Fv/Fo values in the M and MM treatments than in the EC, S and NPK treatments, with a Fv/Fm value reaching to approximately 0.8, the yield value of plants grown under a normal environment. The quantum yield decreased in all treatments with increasing light intensity. For ‘Red Velvet’, the quantum yield value was the least in the EC control treatment, with values smaller than 0.1 at a light intensity of 1,200 μ㏖ㆍm? ²ㆍs? ¹ and the greatest in the MM control treatment. To determine the effect of these treatments on the growth of single-node cuttings, length of cut flowers, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, flower height, and flower width were measured. Length of cut flowers was the longest in the M and MM treatment for both cultivars. Fresh weight was the heaviest in the MM treatment and the lightest in the EC treatment in both cultivars. Both cultivars showed the greatest anthocyanin content in the petal in the M treatment, with the greatest chlorophyll content, and the least in the petal in the NPK treatment, but no significant differences were observed among the EC, S and NPK treatments.
Effect of fructose addition in skim milk based extender on semen quality and fertility in white leghorn chicken.

This experiment is designed to study the effect of fructose addition as energy source in skim milk extender on the quality fertility of white leghorn's spermatozoa stored at 4 °C. The treatments (T) in semen quality experiment were Tl (0% fructose + Modified Ringers Solution (MRS), T2 (5mM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS), T3 (lOmM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS), T4 (15mM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS). In this experiment motility, morphology and in vitro sperm viability were examined at the 4'\ 8'\ and 12'h hour of storage representing four treatments each with three replications in 3X4 Factorial Completely Randomized Design. For the purpose of AI the semen is treated with Tl for immediate insemination within 30 minutes, with T2, T3 and T4 inseminated after 4 hours of storage and 360 eggs were incubated and examined for fertility, EM and hatchability. The result of this study indicates that semen characteristics of milky white color, mean volume of 0.36ml per ejaculation/rooster, mean pH of 7.2 and 5500Xl06/ml mean concentration. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in sperm motility, morphology and in vitro viability in all fructose concentrations or control. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in fertility and hatchability between semen of different levels of fructose or control inseminated after 4 hours of storage at 4°C. There was no significant difference in Early, mid and late EM (EEM, MEM and L EM) between semen of different levels of fructose or control inseminated after 4 hours of storage at 4°C. Keywords : Artificial Insemination, Fertility, Embryo, Hatchability, Semen, Skim milk
Effect of long-term fertilization on the phosphorus content of black soil in Northeast China

Samples of black soil were collected from long-term experimental plots in Gongzhuling to study the content and changing trends of soil phosphorus (P) under different fertilization practices (nonfertilization, chemical fertilization, organic fertilization and chemical plus organic fertilization). Results showed that contents of total P and available P in soil under no fertilizer treatment were lower than the other fertilization treatments. The application of organic fertilizer increased the content of total P and available P in 0–40 cm soil depth and content of total P and available P decreased with increasing soil depth, until no changes were found at 60 cm. Soil P had positive and significant correlations with soil total organic carbon and soil total nitrogen content because nitrogen and P were applied simultaneously. It also had negative and significant correlations with soil pH. Efficient use of phosphorus in organic manure and fertilizer require a balanced application of phosphorus.
MY THEROPOD IS BIGGER THAN YOURS … OR NOT: ESTIMATING BODY SIZE FROM SKULL LENGTH IN THEROPODS

Abstract To develop a widely applicable method to estimate body size in theropods, the scaling relationship between skull length, body length, and body mass was investigated using 13 strictly carnivorous, non-avialan theropod taxa ranging in size from the 1-m Sinosauropteryx prima to the 12-m Tyrannosaurus rex. Body length was obtained from the literature for complete to nearly-complete specimens and body mass was obtained from three-dimensional mathematical slicing of those same specimens to ensure accurate body length-body mass associations. Least-square regressions reveal a tight correlation between skull length and body length (SK-BL) and skull length and body mass (SK-BM). The SK-BL regression is negatively allometric, which indicates that skulls become longer relative to body length with increasing body size. In contrast, the SK-BM regression is positively allometric, indicating that body mass increases faster than skull length with increasing body size. These conclusions confirm that the common practice of scaling isometrically smaller relatives of a given taxon to obtain body length and body mass estimates is not valid. Although predictive equations derived from the regressions fail to predict accurately body size in abelisaurids and juvenile theropods due to their different head/body proportions, they produce accurate body size estimates for theropods of known body size, thus validating their applicability. Body size estimates for Carcharodontosaurus and Giganotosaurus, approaching 13 m and 14 tons, suggest that they may have surpassed Tyrannosaurus in size. A revised body size estimate for a large Spinosaurus specimen suggests a much shorter and heavier animal than recently suggested.