Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spruce forest bryophytes in central Norway and their relationship to environmental factors including modern forestry

In this study of bryophyte diversity in 110 patches of spruce forests of bilberry, small fern, low herb, tall fern and tall herb type in Sor-Trondelag, central Norway, each patch (from 0.24 to 9.33 ha) was classified as one main vegetation type and one successional stage or cutting class. The bryophytes in each patch were censused in randomly established squares of 10 x 10 m, supplemented by complete sampling in the rest of the patch. A number of environmental variables was sampled, and the data sets treated with DCA and CCA. Altogether 210 bryophytes (71 liverworts and 139 mosses) were found in the squares, and 285 (96 liverworts and 189 mosses) in the forest patches. The average number of liverworts, mosses and bryophytes in forest patches increased gradually from the dry and poor to the moist and rich forest types. Several red listed and other interesting spruce forest species had their only or main occurrence in the rich and humid forest, and in old cutting classes.
Genetic variation and bidirectional gene flow in the riparian plant Miscanthus lutarioriparius, across its endemic range: implications for adaptive potential

Miscanthus lutarioriparius is an endemic species that grows along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and is a valuable source of germplasm for the development of second‐generation energy crops. The plant that propagates via seeds, stem nodes, and rhizomes shows high phenotypic variation and strong local adaptation. Here, we examined the magnitude and spatial distribution of genetic variation in M. lutarioriparius across its entire distributional range and tested underlying factors that shaped its genetic variation. Population genetic analyses were conducted on 644 individuals from 25 populations using 16 microsatellite markers. M. lutarioriparius exhibited a high level of genetic variation (HE = 0.682–0.786; Ar = 4.74–8.06) and a low differentiation (FST = 0.063; Dest = 0.153). Of the total genetic variation, 10% was attributed to the differences among populations (df = 24, P < 0.0001), whereas 90% was attributed to the differences among individuals (df = 619, P ≤ 0.0001). Genetic diversity did not differ significantly across longitudes and did not increase in the populations growing downstream of the Yangtze River. However, significant associations were found between genetic differentiation and spatial distance. Six genetic discontinuities were identified, which mostly distributed among downstream populations. We conclude that anthropogenic factors and landscape features both contributed to shaping the pattern of gene flow in M. lutarioriparius, including long‐distance bidirectional dispersal. Our results explain the genetic basis of the high degree of adaptability in M. lutarioriparius and identify potential sources of new germplasm for the domestication of this potential second‐generation energy crop.
Weed Control and Yield with Flumioxazin, Fomesafen, and S-Metolachlor Systems for Glufosinate-Resistant Cotton Residual Weed Management

Abstract Field studies were conducted near Clayton, Lewiston, and Rocky Mount, NC in 2005 to evaluate weed control and cotton response to preemergence treatments of pendimethalin alone or in a tank mixture with fomesafen, postemergence treatments of glufosinate applied alone or in a tank mixture with S-metolachlor, and POST-directed treatments of glufosinate in a tank mixture with flumioxazin or prometryn. Excellent weed control (> 91%) was observed where at least two applications were made in addition to glufosinate early postemergence (EPOST). A reduction in control of common lambsquarters (8%), goosegrass (20%), large crabgrass (18%), Palmer amaranth (13%), and pitted morningglory (9%) was observed when residual herbicides were not included in PRE or mid-POST programs. No differences in weed control or cotton lint yield were observed between POST-directed applications of glufosinate with flumioxazin compared to prometryn. Weed control programs containing three or more herbicide applications resulted in similar cotton lint yields at Clayton and Lewiston, and Rocky Mount showed the greatest variability with up to 590 kg/ha greater lint yield where fomesafen was included PRE compared to pendimethalin applied alone. Similarly, an increase in cotton lint yields of up to 200 kg/ha was observed where S-metolachlor was included mid-POST when compared to glufosinate applied alone, showing the importance of residual herbicides to help maintain optimal yields. Including additional modes of action with residual activity preemergence and postemergence provides a longer period of weed control, which helps maintain cotton lint yields. Nomenclature: Flumioxazin; fomesafen; glufosinate; pendimethalin; prometryn; S-metolachlor; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. CHEAL; goosegrass, Eleusine indica ELEIN; large crabgrass, Digitaria sanguinalis L. DIGSA; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. AMAPA; pitted morningglory, Ipomoea lacunosa L. IPOLA; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.
Queenless colonies of the Asian red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea) are infiltrated by workers from other queenless colonies.

In all honey bee species studied thus far, 2--4% of the workers were not born in the sampled colony. These unrelated (nonnatal) workers are thought to arise via orientation errors while returning from foraging trips. Interestingly, in colonies of the red dwarf honey bee, Apis florea, the proportion of nonnatal workers increases significantly when the colonies become queenless, and these workers are more likely to have active ovaries and lay eggs than natal workers. As a result, queenless colonies are heavily parasitized with the eggs of nonnatal workers, but the origin of the parasitizing workers is currently unknown. Here we show that workers from queenless A. florea colonies are far more likely to leave their colony and join another colony compared with workers from queenright colonies. Choice experiments showed that these drifted workers are much more likely to join a queenless colony than a colony with a queen. Perhaps surprisingly, not many workers from queenright colonies joined queenless colonies despite the opportunity for direct reproduction in queenless colonies. We suggest that the inclusive fitness benefits of remaining in the natal colony in the presence of the queen exceed the benefits of direct reproduction in an unrelated queenless colony. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Morphological and physiological aspects of the early phases of flower bud formation of apple

For consistent yields in apple fruit production, knowledge of the factors affecting flower bud formation is required. The aim of this study was to gain more insight in the role of endogenous factors in flower bud formation of apple. The effects of temperature, applied gibberellin (GA 4+7 ), the presence of fruits, defoliation and bending on the plastochron (the time interval between formation of successive primordia by the meristern) and the number of appendages per bud at the start of floral differentiation were studied. Although most treatments distinctly affected flower bud formation, the plastochron was only affected by temperature and defoliation. Considerable variation was observed in the number of appendages at the start of floral differentiation, which varied between cultivars, between experiments with the same cultivar and between bud positions. It is concluded that the length of the plastochron and the number of appendages are not critical to the occurrence of flower bud formation.Defoliation inhibited flower bud formation and caused an immediate reduction in the soluble sugar content of the shoot. Bending slightly enhanced flower bud formation, or had no effect, and did not affect the soluble sugar level in the shoot, but increased starch content. The poor correlation between the assimilate level of the shoot and the number of flower buds formed suggests that it is not a main regulatory factor in flower bud formation.It was further investigated whether ammonium affects flower bud formation of apple through affecting endogenous levels of polyamines (PAs). Ammonium and applied PAs have previously been shown to stimulate flower formation of apple. However, due to a lack of effect of ammonium on flower bud formation in the present work, no conclusive evidence could be given. PA levels of buds did not greatly respond to treatments affecting flower bud formation (applied GA 4+7 and shoot bending) despite the fact that both treatments did affect flower bud formation. PA levels did not show distinct changes during the supposed time of floral induction and floral differentiation. It is tentatively suggested that PAs are not major inductive stimuli of flower bud formation of apple.
Effect of chitinase and thaumatin on mycelial growth of five sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) grain molding fungi under in vitro conditions

The effects of various concentrations of chitinase, thaumatin, and their mixtures on radial mycelial growth of five grain molding fungi were studied. When compared with the control, chitinase and chitinase+thaumatin mixtures markedly reduced mycelial growth of the fungal species studied, except for Fusarium semitectum. Reductions in fungal radial mycelial growth of 65.4% for Bipolaris sp. and 61.7% for Colletotrichum graminicola were noted when these fungi were grown on half-strength-potato dextrose agar amended with chitinase. A mixture of chitinase at 50 ml L –1 +thaumatin at 37.5 mg L –1 reduced mycelial growth of Bipolaris sp. by 61.7%, C. graminicola by 56.2%, and Curvularia lunata by 44.9% when compared with the control. The levels of thaumatin used in this study were less effective in inhibiting mycelial growth, except for F. semitectum. This study for the first time showed the suppression of mycelial growth in vitro of F. thapsinum, Bipolaris sp. , and C. graminicola isolated from sorghum grain.
Apparent digestion coefficients and metabolizable energy of feed ingredients for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

More than 50 feedstuffs used or of potential use in diets for rainbow trout Oncorhyndus mykiss were compared through metabolism chamber trials. Testing included determination of apparent digestibility and metabolic energy for a wide variety of ingredients, including fish and animal meals, vegetable proteins, and single cell protein products. Testing involved feeding individual 200–300-g fish contained in replicate chambers, from which feces, urine, and gill excreta were collected seg arately and analyzed for residual nitrogen and energy. For comparison, several products previously tested at this or other laboratories were re-evaluated at dietary concentrations of 25, 50, or 100%.
Oocystis nephrocytioides sp. nov

Ce l l s ellipsoid, asymmetrical, in extreme cases kidney-shaped, joined in two-celled (rarely four-celled) coenobia. Cel l wal l firm, colourless, dissolving completely during the forma­ tion of autospores and changing into a colourless, non-bordered mucilage which keeps the daughter cells together. No warts at the poles. Protoplast containing four chloroplasts (two in autospores, eight in mother cells), each with a central pyrenoid. Pyrenoid spherical with a continuous starch-sheath. Additional stroma-starch in the chloroplast. Storage product oil, sometimes in large droplets. Nucleus in the middle of the cell. Occasionally vacuoles are formed. Re p r o d uct ion by two (rarely four) autospores, lying crossed in the mucilage originating from the mother-cell wall. Spherical cysts in cul­ tures. Dimensions: 10-18 J.l in length, 6-10.5 J.l in breadth. Occurr e n ce : in an open-air concrete channel of the trout hatchery, Hydrobiological Institute, Ohrid, Yougoslavia.
Selectivity by moose vs the spatial distribution of aspen: a natural experiment

Patch use theory predicts that herbivores perceive food as patches and spend more time in high quality patches, i.e. feeding sites providing a high net rate of intake of energy and/or limiting nutrients. The herbivores should accordingly not discriminate among food items in such high quality patches, and food items should thus be eaten in proportion to availability. In contrast, classical diet theory assumes food selection to take place at the level of individual plants, and predicts that the forager should concentrate on the most profitable item until availability drops below some critical threshold. Here we address how the spatial distribution of European aspen Populus tremula, a highly preferred browse species, affects the selectivity by moose Alces alces at the patch and the tree level. The study was performed in a managed boreal forest landscape in coastal northern Sweden, where aspen occurs highly aggregated almost exclusively in discrete patches. We compared moose’ selectivity for aspen and browsing intensity on aspen ramets and other browse species in aspen patches versus at randomly located sites. Random sites and aspen stands were utilised equally by moose in terms of overall use of forage. There was no difference in total coverage of forage species and relative moose density. Selectivity for aspen was stronger at random sites than at aspen sites, and the browsing intensity on aspen was similar. We conclude that moose did not perceive aspen stands as discrete patches, and used aspen ramets more in accordance with diet theory. These findings agree with the idea that large generalist herbivores strive to maintain a mixed and balanced diet, causing rare species to be over-utilised (negative frequency-dependent food selection). By such selective feeding, moose may reinforce the aggregated distribution of aspen in the managed boreal forest landscape.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolates from chicken meat samples in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The objective of this study was to isolate and verify the sensitivity to antimicrobial agents of strains of Salmonella spp. isolated from chicken meat samples in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A total number of 60 fresh chicken meat samples mainly chicken breast, chicken wing and chicken thigh were randomly collected from various supermarkets and butcheries in Dubai. The methods for Salmonella isolation and characterisation along with the susceptibility of these isolates to antibiotics were assessed. In total 66 pure isolates of Salmonella were obtained. The genus level identification of these isolates was carried out by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) using the VIT-Salmonella kit (Vermicon Identification Technology, Vermicon, Munich, Germany). All the isolates tested positive for Salmonella genus specific oligonucleotide probe. These isolates were then subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing to 10 commonly used antibiotics. All the isolates (100%) showed resistance to Cephalexin and Rifampicin. A high degree of resistance was also observed for Ampicillin and Tetracycline while 87.88% of these isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin. The prevalence of Salmonella strains resistant to more than one antibiotics may be due to the comprehensive use of antibiotics included in feeds as growth promoters and due to the widespread use of antibiotics in poultry industries. In conclusion, a high degree of multiple drug resistance was observed in Salmonella isolates from chicken meat samples that indicate that drug resistance of Salmonella is becoming a crucial health problem in this part of the world.
Extrapolation for Exposure Duration in Oral Toxicity: A Quantitative Analysis of Historical Toxicity Data

ABSTRACT For human risk assessment, experimental data often have to be extrapolated for exposure duration, which is generally done by means of default values. The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, to derive a statistical distribution for differences in exposure duration that can be used in a probabilistic concept for combining assessment factors in risk characterization. Second, to obtain insight in the magnitude of the change in No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) with exposure duration, which will lead to more science-based assessment factors for exposure duration. A large historical database, including 198 substances, was consulted. Ratios were calculated for pairs of NOAELs for systemic toxicity from oral toxicity studies with the same species (rats or mice, various strains) and different exposure duration categories. The Geometric Mean (GM), Geometric Standard Deviation (GSD), and the 90th and 95th percentile values were determined. The traditionally applied default factors for subacute to semichronic (10), for semichronic to chronic (10), and for subacute to chronic exposure (100) corresponded with the 93, 87, and 99-percentiles of the respective distributions. Options are presented for a set of default values and probabilistic distributions for assessment factors for exposure duration based on data from the consulted historical database.
The western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910) (Hemiptera, Coreidae) found in SW Norway.

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera, Coreidae) is originally a Nearctic species, native to the western areas of North America, from Mexico in the south through California and Utah to British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in the north. After World War II the species spread eastwards: in the 1950s and 1960s it reached America’s Midwest, and later it has been found in all the eastern states (McPherson et al. 1990, Gall 1992, Kment & Banar 2008).
Effects of increased temperature, drought and nitrogen supply on two upland perennials of contrasting functional type: Calluna vulgaris and Pteridium aquilinum

Mature heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) turfs, transplanted from the field, were subjected to factorially combined experimental treatments for three consecutive years. Summer drought had the greatest effect, decreasing photosynthesis, growth and reproductive output in both species, and opening the bracken canopy. The timing of the drought relative to plant development was critical to which species was worst affected; bracken was worst affected by an early drought, heather by a later drought. Both species showed physiological damage during drought but, as predicted on the basis of their functional types, heather showed greater acclimation of water-use efficiency to drought stress. Contrary to expectations based on functional types, heather responded more rapidly than bracken to increased nitrogen supply (50 kg N ha−1 yr−1). Added nitrogen caused both species to start above-ground growth earlier in the spring. For bracken this stimulation was short- lived; added nitrogen might be preferentially allocated to the rhizome and the longer-term consequences of this are unknown. For heather, nitrogen promoted growth and flowering throughout the season. There was no positive effect on the photosynthetic physiology of either species; changes in resource partitioning, and thus photosynthate production at the canopy level, are the most likely mechanism for the increase in heather shoot growth. Warmer temperatures increased heather shoot growth from early spring onwards but did not advance bracken crozier emergence, although frond height and the proportion of fertile fronds were subsequently increased. No significant effects of warming on the photosynthetic physiology of either species were found. Predictions of responses of heather and bracken to environmental change are complicated by the strong interactive effects of unpredictable climatic events such as drought and extreme winter temperatures. When drought was imposed, damage to heather was much greater in plants receiving increased nitrogen supply. Stimulation of growth by nitrogen resulted in a water demand that was unsustainable in drought conditions, leading to wilting, reduced shoot growth and some acclimation of water-use efficiency. Additionally, a very cold winter spell proved most damaging to heather that had been droughted in the previous summer. For bracken, winter damage occurred in plants that had been warmed, with significantly fewer fronds emerging in the next spring and thus canopy photosynthetic potential being reduced. We predict that positively managed heather has the potential to limit the bracken problem in conditions of environmental change, provided that high levels of nitrogen deposition do not coincide with increased drought frequency.
Associations of acute phase protein levels with growth performance and with selection for growth performance in Large White pigs

Abstract Acute phase proteins (APP) are released into the circulation in mammals upon infection and may be used to diagnose the health status of managed populations of animals such as pigs. The current study determines APP levels in a population of apparently healthy Large White pigs from a single farm, to address two questions: (1) whether phenotypic associations can be observed between productivity and APP, indicating the effects of possible subclinical infections and (2) whether previous selection for either food intake or ‘lean growth under restricted feeding’ influences APP levels. The APP investigated were alpha1- acid glycoprotein (AGP) and haptoglobin. The APP were measured at 18 and 24 weeks of age in pigs previously selected for high lean growth (no. = 31), low lean growth (no. = 38), high daily food intake (no. = 24) and low daily food intake (no. = 26), but performing under ad libitum feeding conditions. Performance traits and APP levels were constant over the experimental period, indicating that the farm health status did not vary over time. Performance traits and APP were recorded on 119 pigs, of which 80 had both APP and performance measurements. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate phenotypic relationships between performance traits and APP levels. Plasma concentrations of AGP were higher in 18-week-old pigs compared with 24-week-old pigs ( P P P P P P P v . 332 μg/ml, P P
Potential for outcrossing in an apparently asexual population of Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pitch canker disease

Abstract Fusarium circinatum (teleomorph = Gibberella circinata) is responsible for the current epidemic affecting pine trees in native and urban forests along California's central coast. Only eight vegetative compatibility groups have been recovered from samples collected throughout the pathogen's range in California. This low level of diversity is suggestive of an asexually propagating population. However, crosses conducted in the laboratory on carrot agar, as well as on Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) twigs, reveal that California strains of the fungus are capable of undergoing sexual reproduction. Outcrossing was confirmed by demonstrating vegetative incompatibility between the progeny and their parents. These results indicate that sexual reproduction is possible within the California population of the pitch canker pathogen.