Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cadmium effects on sunflower growth and mineral nutrition

A hydroponic greenhouse study was carried out to evaluate the effects of increasing cadmium (Cd) concentration on plant growth, mineral nutrition and Cd distribution of H-250 sunflower genotype. Exposure to increasing Cd concentrations reduced plant biomass by 40, 34, 47 and 42% of the total, leaves, stem and roots dry weights as compared to the control. Regardless of the treatment most of Cd uptake by the genotype was allocated in the root, followed by leaf and stem. The higher bioconcentration factors values in both above ground and underground plant tissues and low transfer factor value indicated that this genotype may be an alternative for use in phytostabilization programs. The results also showed that increasing Cd concentration disrupted plant homeostasis as it increased the concentration of some nutrients and had adverse effect on others, impacting plant growth. In this context, the results suggest that the low magnesium, iron and manganese concentrations in the leaves were the main cause for plant biomass reduction and leaf chlorosis and necrosis, as each one of these elements plays a key role on the chlorophyll molecule and on photosynthesis process.
Impact of Asset Allocation and Operational Structure on the Investment Performance of Australian Superannuation

In the first paper, the lacklustre investment performance of Australian superannuation was attributed to the Retail sector. This second paper investigates potential explanations for this fact through an empirical attribution analysis of the impact of asset allocation, operational structure and scale on sectoral investment performance. Since 2004, relatively lower investment returns of the Retail sector have not been compensated by lower risk, due to unexpectedly higher return volatility. This fact can be explained by significant costs neglected in most academic theories. Using official asset allocation data available from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), for the three years to September 2016, the 2.7 percent per annum difference in measured investment performance between the Industry and Retail sector has been attributed 1.1 percent to asset allocation and 1.6 percent to operational structure and costs. The high cost of Retail funds (incurred but not reported) is consistent with the high incomes and profits reported annually by vertically integrated conglomerates from providing superannuation and related financial services. At March 2017 Retail assets of $577 billion, the 2.7 percent return deficit relative to Industry funds represents about $15.5 billion per annum in additional costs to Retail members. Empirically, but contrary to the theory of economic rationalism, the market approach to superannuation, based on competition and profit maximization of the Retail sector, has been detrimental to members.
Network Modeling of Drosophila External Sensory Organ Precursor Formation: The Role of Recently Studied Genes

In order to find out how computational modeling in dynamical simulation of molecular biological network may help researches in genetics and molecular biology, we have performed computer simulation on cell fate determination in development. For sensory organ precursor (SOP) formation in Drosophila development, we have investigated a number of models involving lateral inhibition through cell-cell interaction. For genes that were recently identified to be associated with formation of SOP, senseless and phyllopod, we test the models’ robustness through the parameter space of the models. We conclude that the control of the lateral inhibition network is further enhanced by the new reactions.
Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses en Syrie. 1 — Infestation de Psammomys obesus Cretzschmar (Rodentia-Gerbillidae) par Leishmania major Yakimoff et Schokhor (Kinetoplastida-Trypanosomatidae)

Une enquete ecoepidemiologique, menee dans le Sud-Ouest de la Syrie, sur les reservoirs de la leishmaniose cutanee zoonotique a permis d’isoler Leishmania major MON-26, chez Psammomys obesus terraesanctae (Rodentia-Gerbillidae). L’abondance du Rongeur, son contact etroit avec les villages contamines et la haute frequence d’infestation (62,3 %) en font le reservoir habituel du Bouton d’Orient dans la zone predesertique de la Syrie.
Efecto de diferentes densidades de siembra sobre el rendimiento del cultivo del girasol (helianthus annuus l.), var. Caburé 15 en suelos arroceros

El trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el comportamiento del cultivo de Girasol variedad Caburet- 15 en siembras realizadas a 0.25 m entre plantas y 50, 70, 90 y 1.10 m entre hileras en un suelo Gley Vertico, tipico del cultivo de arroz. El Experimento fue realizado en areas de campo de la Estacion Territorial de Investigaciones de Granos “Sur del Jibaro”, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, durante la campana de primavera 2017. Se determino que bajo las condiciones de este tipo de suelo el mejor comportamiento se logro cuando la variedad Cabure- 15 a una distancia entre hileras de 0.50 m, con un valor de rendimiento agricola de 2.36 t/ha -1 disminuyendo paulatinamente este parametro a 1.63, 1.36 y 1.18 t/ha -1 en las distancias entre hileras de 0.70, 0.90 y 1.10 m respectivamente. En la medida que se incremento la distancia entre hileras aumento el grosor del tallo, el diametro del capitulo, asi como, el numero y peso de semillas por capitulo, sin embargo, al disminuir la distancia entre hileras se incrementa la longitud de los tallos. El numero de hojas por planta no se afecto en las distintas distancias de siembra entre hileras estudiadas.
Stimulation of Shoot Regeneration in Spinach Callus by Gibberellic Acid

generation in spinach. (A) Cumulative percentage of calli-formed shoots by 5.8, and 11 weeks on regeneration medium; (B) length of regenerated shoots as a function of GA3 concentration after 11 weeks. In most cases, gibberellins are not essential for in vitro plant cultures and are generally not incorporated into the medium (Pierik, 1987). These plant hormones usually inhibit root (Pierik and Steegmans, 1975) and shoot formation (Appelgren and Heide, 1972; Murashige, 1964; Schraudolf and Reinert, 1959). Al-Khayri et al. (1991a, 1991b) reported on the lack of shoot regeneration in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) from callus on a gibberellin-free medium; however, the inclusion of 3 μM GA3 stimulated adventitious shoot formation. In our study, optimal and minimal GA, concentrations suitable for spinach shoot regeneration were determined. Seeds of ‘High Pack’ spinach (Alf Christianson Seed Co., Mount Vernon, Wash.) were grown under a 10-h photoperiod (350 μmol·m -2·s-1) and a day/night cycle of 20C/ 16C. Fully expanded leaves were surfacesterilized according to Al-Khayri et al. (1991a). One leaf disk, 5 mm in diameter, was cultured per 16 × 100-mm culture tube containing 5 ml medium. The medium consisted of inorganic salts of Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) supplemented with (in mg·liter -1) 100 myo -inositol, 0.4 thiamine·HCI, 0.5 nicotinic acid, 0.5 pyridoxine·HCl, and 30 g sucrose/liter. To induce callus, the medium was supplemented with 9.3 μM 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) and 2.3 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D). The medium was adjusted to pH 5.8 and solidified with 0.8% (w/v) tissue culture agar (Sigma, St. Louis). After autoclaving at 121C and 103 kPa for 15 min, the medium was cooled to 60C and enriched with 15% (vh) filter-sterilized coconut water. The cultures were maintained in the dark at 20 ± 3C for 4 weeks. Twenty calli per regeneration treatment were transferred to 25 × 150-mm tubes containing 15 ml medium. The regeneration media differed from the callus induction medium only in the content of growth regulators and contained 9.3 μM kinetin, 0.05 μM 2,4-D, and 0, 0.3, 0.7, 1.4, 2.9, or 7.2 μM G A3. Growth regulators were added to the medium before autoclaving. The cultures were grown
Coevolution of rhizobia with legumes : Facts and hypotheses

The ability to form N2-fixing symbioses has a monophyletic (paraphyletic) origin in legumes and a polyphyletic origin in rhizobia. Analysis of taxonomic data suggests that in legumes nodulation is a more ancient property than symbiotrophic nitrogen nutrition while in rhizobia the ·ability to nodulate their hosts is of a more recent origin than the ability to fix N2. The ancestors of both partners are supposed to have possessed the preadaptations which ensured a subsequent evolution of the symbiotic system. The plant preadaptations might have been: spontaneous formation of the nodule-like structures and an ability to permit a persistence of potential symbionts in them. The bacterial preadaptations might have been: the ability to fix N2 and to resist (escape) the plant defense reactions. In rhizobia the nodulation ability is supposed to evolve mainly via the individual selection, while the ability for symbiotic N2 fixation via the kin selection of the clones. Evolution of nod genes in rhizobia is supposed to elicit formation of the mechanisms for restriction (regulation) of nodulation in hosts. Although the legume-rhizobia coevolution for nodulation might have the marked similarities with the gene-for-gene coevolution, the direct evolutionary relationships between legume-rhizobia symbioses and the phytopathogenic systems are not probable. The plant-bacteria coevolution is suggested to be based on:-(i) intensive intergenomic recombination and horizontal transfer of genes in rhizobia populations; (ii) increasing the genetic heterogeneity of these populations via interaction with the hosts.
A novel method for Canada goose harvest derivation using genetic analysis of tail feathers

We utilized tail fan (feather) samples collected through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Waterfowl Parts Survey and maximum likelihood methods (genetic stock identification) to estimate proportional contributions of subspecies of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) to Michigan's 1998-1999 season harvest. We characterized baseline breeding populations of Richardson's (B. c. hutchinsii) (n=1), interior (B. c. interior) (n = 4), and giant (B. c. maxima) (n=8) Canada geese (total n=964 individuals) and a large sample of geese harvested throughout Michigan (n=471 individuals) using 5 microsatellite loci. Maximum likelihood estimates (′SE) based on genetics data revealed that statewide harvest was comprised of 3.8′1.2% Richardson's, 26.3′5.8% interior, and 69.2′6.2% giant Canada geese. As Canada geese are sexually monomorphic and cannot be unambiguously sexed by inspecting USFWS Parts Survey tail fan samples, we used the sex-linked chromo-helicase-DNA-binding (CHD) locus to estimate the sex ratio of Canada geese in the statewide harvest as 0.937 females per 1 male. Our study demonstrates the utility of joint use of standardized parts collections and genetic-based analyses for harvest derivations in states and provinces across North America and elsewhere, where genetically differentiated subspecies and populations co-occur during migration and harvest.
Heterosis: Feeding People and Protecting Natural Resources

Hybrid vigor, or heterosis, usually refers to the increase in size or rate of growth of offspring over parents; for example, hybrid vigor in crop plants can be observed as in increase in yield of grain, or reduction in number of days to flower. Heterosis in plants has been utilized on large scale for the past 75 years, as carefully selected and reproduced hybrid cultivars. Field crops such as maize, sorghum and sunflower are produced as hybrids in all of the industrialized world; they also are grown as hybrids in increasing amounts in the developing world. Hybrid rice is grown extensively in China, and increasingly in India (Virmani, 1994). Many commercial vegetable and flower crops are grown almost entirely as hybrids. Heterosis is credited for large increases in production per unit area, thus sparing large amounts of land for other uses such as environmentally benign nature preserves. Examination of the historical record suggests that the major gift of heterosis was its stimulation of interest in the entire system of breeding and use of hybrid crops, rather than a simple exploitation of hybrid vigor per se. Development and use of hybrid seeds can enhance crop yields and performance in ways that are different from and not necessarily dependent on heterosis by itself. This essay will examine the historical record on utilization of hybrids to exploit heterosis in some of the major field crops, discuss the present use of heterosis and hybrids, and attempt to predict how heterosis and hybrids may be used in the future. The purpose of this analysis will be to show how hybrids and heterosis can help to supply food for burgeoning populations and also help to improve environmental health of the global food production system.
Arum-type of arbuscular mycorrhizae, dark septate endophytes and Olpidium spp. in fine roots of container-grown seedlings of Sorbus torminalis (Rosaceae)

The aim of this study was to determine the mycorrhizal status of nursery seedlings of the wild service tree ( Sorbus torminalis ), which belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its mycorrhizal associations are still fragmentarily known, and data from the few existing studies indicate that it forms ectomycorrhizal symbiosis (ECM). We analyzed the degree of mycorrhizal colonization of thirty 2-year-old container-grown S. torminalis nursery seedlings, which belonged to three single-tree progenies. The roots were dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), with the morphology of the Arum -type containing arbuscules, vesicles and hyphae; however, no ECM structures were found. The degree of root colonization of the analyzed seedlings by AM fungi was 83.6% and did not differ significantly between the three single-tree progenies. In addition to AM, structures of dark septate endophytes (0.7%) and sporangia of Olpidium spp. (1.1%) were found in wild service tree roots. In agreement with previous studies, we confirmed arbuscular mycorrhizae for S. torminalis . Moreover, this is the first report that roots of this Sorbus species show the Arum -type morphology of AM and are associated with Olpidium species.
Afinidad biologica de las poblaciones prehistoricas del litoral ariqueno con grupos poblacionales costeros peruanos y altiplanicos

Les affinites biologiques de quatre populations anciennes d'Arica avec des groupes cotiers ou montagnards du Perou et de la Bolivie sont examinees ici. Une analyse basee sur la craniometrie revele une forte parente entre les groupes d'Arica et les populations des montagnes, notamment celle de la vallee d'Urubamba. L'existence d'indicateurs culturels semblables entre les groupes cotiers du Perou et d'Arica est expliquee sur la base d'un centre montagnard duquel des traits culturels furent diffuses dans les vallees peruviennes et chiliennes. Datation des populations : de 500 av. a 1300 apr. J.-C.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Insights into the role of turkeys as potential intermediate host for influenza viruses

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S.A. Abid, T. Azeem, W. Ahmad, Z.I. Chaudhry & S. Umar, ‘Insights into the role of turkeys as potential intermediate host for influenza viruses’ (2016) 72:3, 585-596 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933916000520 The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content throughout the article with the following earlier published work: S. P. S. Pillai, M. Pantin-Jackwood, H. M. Yassine, Y. M. Saif & C. W. Lee, ‘The High Susceptibility of Turkeys to Influenza Viruses of Different Origins Implies Their Importance as Potential Intermediate Hosts’ Avian Diseases (2010) 54:S1, 522-526 https://doi.org/10.1637/8770-033109-Review.1 DOI 10.1637/8770-033109-Review.1 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Efeito da densidade populacional de Canavalia ensiformis na fitorremediação de solo contaminado com sulfentrazone

Existem poucas informacoes quanto a fitorremediacao do herbicida sulfentrazone, reforcando assim a necessidade de pesquisas que visam oferecer alternativas seguras para sua utilizacao em sistemas que integram a sucessao/rotacao de culturas, focando a sustentabilidade da producao agricola, sem prejuizos ao sistema produtivo e ao ambiente. Com isso, objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a influencia da densidade populacional de Canavalia ensiformis sobre a fitorremediacao de solo contaminado com o herbicida sulfentrazone. O experimento constou de um fatorial 4 x 3, no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repeticoes. O primeiro fator foi constituido pela combinacao de quatro densidades populacionais da especie fitorremediadora C. ensiformis (0; 10; 20 e 40 plantas m-2) e o segundo por tres doses do herbicida sulfentrazone (0; 200 e 400 g ha-1). Aos 75 dias apos a emergencia, as plantas foram cortadas na altura do coleto. Nesse mesmo periodo, efetuou-se, no proprio vaso, a semeadura da especie bioindicadora da presenca do sulfentrazone, milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), na qual foram avaliadas a fitotoxicidade, a altura e a biomassa fresca e seca da parte aerea e da raiz. O cultivo previo da especie fitorremediadora C. ensiformis promoveu a remediacao do solo contaminado com sulfentrazone. A densidade populacional minima de C. ensiformis que possibilita o desenvolvimento do milheto e de 10 plantas m-2. Todavia, melhores resultados foram obtidos na densidade de 40 plantas m-2.
Epidemiology and control of Septoria pyricola in pear leaf and fruit

The susceptibility of pear leaf and fruit at their early development stages to Septoria pyricola and the chemical control of the disease were studied. Unfolded or fully expanded leaves and young fruit were susceptible to infections, when artificially inoculated. With an average temperature of 14oC, relative humidity of 70% and increased leaf wetness for at least 6 hours during the night, the characteristic disease symptoms, on both leaves and fruits, were developed within two to three weeks. Pycnidia were not formed on fruit and their infection was confirmed by applying Koch’s postulates. Surveys in pear orchards during 2010 revealed the predominance of isolates highly resistant to the benzimidazole fungicide carbendazim. Some isolates exhibited 10-fold reduced sensitivity to bitertanol (sterol demethylation inhibitors; DMI’s) but they were sensitive to kresoxim-methyl (quinone outside inhibitors; QoI’s) and to boscalid (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors; SDHI’s). Bitertanol and flusilazole (DMI’s), azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin (QoI’s) and the mixture of pyraclostrobin (QoI) plus boscalid (SDHI) controlled Septoria effectively when they were applied on five occasions, commencing at the stage of ‘inflorescence emergence’. The disease progress was ceased even in cases of only one application with either azoxystrobin or flusilazole at ‘inflorescence emergence’ stage. Carbendazim failed to control the disease when BenHR-resistant propagules were enclosed in the primary inoculum. The results indicate that the pear leaf and fruit are vulnerable to S. pyricola at early stages of development, whereas secondary formed inocula on leaves expanded the disease only within the tree canopy.
Silage Fermentation Characteristics of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) Harvested at Various Times on a Sunny Day

Grasses exhibit diurnal variation in chemical composition and epiphytic microorganisms, which may influence the natural fermentation attributes of silage. The objective was to determine the effect of diurnal changes on chemical composition and epiphytic microorganisms and these effects on fermentation quality of unwilted Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage. Primary growth of Italian ryegrass was harvested in the heading stage at 0800 (AM), 1300 (M) and 1800 h (PM) on three sunny days. Each cutting time was assayed in triplicate in laboratory silos and sampled after 30 d (cutting Day 1) or serial days until 30 d (other cutting days) to analyze the fermentation attributes and microbial counts. Bacterial community was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) on pre-and post-ensiled forage samples, which were harvested on cutting Day 2. The results showed that fermentation instability for the silage made with M-cut forage, which had fewer lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species in the early phase of ensiling and where Clostridium sp. was present but no Lactobacillus plantarum at the end of ensiling, resulted in higher (P < 0.05) pH value, NH3-N, and butyric acid for 30-d fermented silages than those made with AM-and PM-cut forages. The concentrations of dry matter (DM) and lactic acid were higher (P < 0.05) and the silage pH and NH3-N were lower (P < 0.05) for silage made with PM-cut forage as compared to those made with AM-cut forages. Italian ryegrass cut at 1800 h was associated with good silage fermentation attributes.
MATING AND OVIPOSITION IN PAEDOMORPHIC AMBYSTOMA TALPOIDEUM PRECEDES THE ARRIVAL OF TERRESTRIAL MALES

A comparison between the onset of mating and oviposition in facultatively pae- domorphic (aquatic) Ambystoma talpoideum and the migration dates of metamorphic (terrestrial) males into the same breeding site revealed a mechanism of partial reproductive isolation. Most paedomorphic females captured in early November 1993 already were inseminated; the onset of oviposition was observed soon thereafter. Most metamorphic males did not arrive at the pond until mid-December or early January, and these migration dates are consistent with data from previous years. The path of development (paedomorphosis or metamorphosis) of an individual is incompletely plastic; heritable differences between individuals exist in their propensity to metamorphose. A partial reproductive partition between paedomorphic females and metamorphic males may favor a gradual reduction in the propensity to metamorphose in the offspring of paedomorphic females. This mechanism, coupled with antagonistic agents such as pond-drying, may promote this life history dichotomy.