Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Defoliation on Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan)

SUMMARY Mild manual defoliation of pigeon pea plants had little effect on pod numbers, pod weights, or number of seeds per pod in two experiments. The effects of severe defoliation depended on timing and differed between pigeon pea cultivars. Late severe defoliation reduced pod numbers in both experiments, but early and intermediate severe defoliation also differed in their effects. Some physiological implications of these results are suggested.
The Ecology of Fruit Flies

The dominant feature of fruit fly research over the past decade has been a considerable preoccupation with projects related to the suppression or eradication of populations by the release of sterile individuals. The success of the eradication campaigns against the screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hom­ nivorax, (16), followed by further successes against the melon fiy, Dacus cucurbitae, and the Oriental fruit fiy, Dacus dorsalis, by Steiner and his associates in the Mariana islands (147, 149), has engendered considerable enthusiasm for the sterile male technique among those concerned with the control of fruit flies. Entomologists concerned with many other groups of insects are turning more and more toward pest management (37, 122) or "integrated" proce­ dures of control based on solid ecological foundations. These methods aim, not at the complete destruction of the pest population, but at its reduction to a low mean level of abundance, so that its fluctuations seldom or never carry it above its economic threshold. But for fruit flies, particularly in situ­ ations where fruit is grown for export to uninfested areas, or where con­ sumers demand a "perfect" product, the economic threshold may often be near zero, and the strong preference for eradicative rather than "management" procedures is readily understandable. '
Phylogenetic analysis of the north‐east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Stenosoma (Isopoda, Valvifera, Idoteidae)

Xavier, R. , Santos, A. M. , Harris, D. J., Sezgin, M. , Machado, M. , Branco, M. (2012). Phylogenetic analysis of the north‐east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Stenosoma (Isopoda, Valvifera, Idoteidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 386–399.
Effects of aroclor 1254 on LH and 17,20β-P secretion in female prussian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch) in the spawning season.

The effects of Aroclor 1254 on the secretion of luteinizing hormone ( LH) and 17,20β-dihydroxy- 4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P) in female Prussian carp ( Carassius gibelio Bloch) at the time of their natural spawn - ing were determined. Aroclor 1254 at doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg body weight was dissolved in 500 ml of oil and was administered three times intraperitoneally or rectally to female Prussian carp every 24 h for three days. Blood samples were collected after 3 days of Aroclor 1254 administration to determine the LH and 17,20β-P concentrations using ELISA. At 6, 12, and 24 h after injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-A) blood samples were collected for stimulated LH secretion determination. Aroclor 1254 adminis - tered intraperitoneally (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) and rectally (0.01 and 1 mg/kg) significantly increased spontaneous LH secretion. In the case of GnRH-A-stimulated LH release, Aroclor 1254 (administered intraperitoneally only) at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg significantly decreased gonadotropin release. The intraperitoneal injections of the lowest tested concentration of Aroclor 1254 also significantly decreased 17,20β-P secretion. The results show that Aroclor 1254 can affect the reproductive system of Prussian carp by changing the secre - tion of two very important hormones, LH and 17,20β-P, at the time of natural spawning.
Biological monitoring: Essential foundation for ecological risk assessment

“Risk-based decision making” has become an often-heard buzzword in Congress and government agency circles. The idea implies that policies based on scientific risk assessment—of human health or ecological risks—will be realistic, fair, and cost effective. But for policies developed through risk-based decision making to fulfill this promise, the foundations and endpoints for risk assessment must be properly conceived and relevant for sustaining critical societal needs. Environments in which living systems cannot sustain themselves cannot support human affairs. We therefore argue that the first, most important step for ecological risk assessment is to set biological endpoints; further, each step in ecological risk assessment should be informed by data from biological monitoring. The measurement endpoints (what is measured) and the assessment endpoints (the ecological goods and services society seeks to protect) must be explicitly biological. Ecological risk assessment will miss its mark if it relies on inappropriate surrogates—such as chemical measures assumed to reflect the health of a biota—or if it is only a veneer, a simple substitution of ecological terminology in another pollution-control or human health risk assessment process.
Effect of Different Protein Levels on the Juvenile Prawn with Special Reference to Penaeus indicus

Penaeus indicus is probably the best known species among penaeids or even among shrimps. The present study was carried out to investigate the quantitative analysis of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, food conversion ratio (FCR), net growth efficiency of p.indicus under the laboratory condition. Results recorded values of protein (Max-70.21 and min-68.17%), carbohydrate (Max-3.55 and min-2.82%) and lipid in (Max-17.28 and min-16.03%). Assimilation efficiency like higher in 82.67g and lower in 67.48 g. The net growth efficiency was higher in 20.83g and lower value in 19.16g. The food conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in 2.12 and lower in 1.63. This study concluded that the AM2 experiment is very good result for the proximate composition other than AM1, AM2 and AM3.
HOW WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CERULEAN WARBLER (DENDROICA CERULEA)

in Missouri. That suggests that management activ-ity, such as silviculture, can create or improve habitat for Cerulean Warblers (Hunter et al. 2001). Two papers discuss habitat management for the species in bo(cid:6) omlands (Hamel 2004) and in upland forests (Hamel et al. 2004). Monitoring Cerulean Warbler response to experimental manipulation of habitats is an important way for us to identify which elements of vegetation structure are important to the birds and how to produce them on the landscape.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC SOLAR CONVERSION EFFICIENCY IN WILD TYPE AND TRUNCATED Chl ANTENNA TRANFORMANT (Chl b-less MUTANT) OF THE GREEN ALGA Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The assembly, organization and function of the photosynthetic apparatus was investigated in wild type and a chlorophyll (Chl) b-less mutant of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, generated via DNA insertional mutagenesis. Comparative analyses were undertaken with cells grown photoheterotrophically (acetate), photomixotrophically (acetate and HCO 3 - ) or photoautotrophically (HCO 3 - ). It is shown that lack of Chl b diminished the photosystem-II (PSII) functional Chl antenna size from 320 Chl ( a and b) to about 95 Chl a molecules. However, the functional Chl antenna size of PSI remained fairly constant at about 290 Chl molecules, independent of the presence of Chl b. Western blot and kinetic analyses suggested the presence of inner subunits of the Chl a-b light-harvesting complex of PSII (LHCII) and the entire complement of the Chl a-b light-harvesting complex of PSI (LHCI) in the mutant. It is concluded that Chl a can replace Chl b in the inner subunits of the LHCII and in the entire complement of the LHCI. Growth of cells on acetate as the sole carbon source imposes limitations in the photon use efficiency and capacity of photosynthesis. These are manifested as a lower quantum yield and lower light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, and as a lower variable to maximal (Fv/Fmax) chlorophyll fluorescence yield ratios. This adverse effect probably originates
Field biomass as global energy source

Current (1997–2006) and future (2050) global field biomass bioenergy potential was estimated based on FAO (2009) production statistics and estimations of climate change impacts on agriculture according to emission scenario B1 of IPCC. The annual energy potential of raw biomass obtained from crop residues and bioenergy crops cultivated in fields set aside from food production is at present 122–133 EJ, 86–93 EJ or 47–50 EJ, when a vegetarian, moderate or affluent diet is followed, respectively. In 2050, with changes in climate and increases in population, field bioenergy production potential could be 101–110 EJ, 57–61 EJ and 44–47 EJ, following equivalent diets. Of the potential field bioenergy production, 39–42 EJ now and 38–41 EJ in 2050 would derive from crop residues. The residue potential depends, however, on local climate, and may be considerably lower than the technically harvestable potential, when soil quality and sustainable development are considered. Arable land could be used for bioenergy crops, particularly in Australia, South and Central America and the USA. If crop production technology was improved in areas where environmental conditions allow more efficient food production, such as the former Soviet Union, large areas in Europe could also produce bioenergy in set aside fields. The realistic potential and sustainability of field bioenergy production are discussed.
AtSig5 Is an Essential Nucleus-Encoded Arabidopsis σ-Like Factor1

Transcription of chloroplast genes is subject to control by nucleus-encoded proteins. The chloroplast-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) is a eubacterial-type RNA polymerase that is presumed to assemble with nucleus-encoded σ-factors mediating promoter recognition. Recently, families of σ-factor genes have been identified in several plants including Arabidopsis. One of these genes, Arabidopsis SIG5, encodes a σ-factor, AtSig5, which is phylogenetically distinct from the other family members. To investigate the role of this plant σ-factor, two different insertional alleles of the SIG5 gene were identified and characterized. Heterozygous mutant plants showed no visible leaf phenotype, but exhibited siliques containing aborted embryos and unfertilized ovules. Our inability to recover plants homozygous for a SIG5 gene disruption indicates that SIG5 is an essential gene. SIG5 transcripts accumulate in flower tissues, consistent with a role for AtSig5 protein in reproduction. Therefore, SIG5 encodes an essential member of the Arabidopsis σ-factor family that plays a role in plant reproduction in addition to its previously proposed role in leaf chloroplast gene expression.
Effects of the development of a newly created spawning ground in the Des Prairies River (Quebec, Canada) on the reproductive success of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

Summary In the fall of 1996, the surface area of an existing spawning ground located downstream of a power dam on the Des Prairies River was expanded. More than 8000 m2 of appropriate substrate were then added to the largest lake sturgeon spawning ground in the lower St. Lawrence River system. The impact of this enhancement project was monitored 3 years before (1994–1996) and 7 years after (1997–2003) habitat modification. Four hypothesis were tested: (i) the newly created spawning ground was utilized by lake sturgeon for egg laying, (ii) the utilization of the newly spawning bed improved the reproductive success of lake sturgeon, (iii) the improvement of the reproductive success increased the lake sturgeon larvae production, and (iv) the increase of larvae production increased the recruitment of lake sturgeon. After the new spawning area was developed, the sampling station located in this new section was one of those most used for egg deposition, under both high (1997) and low (1998–1999) flows conditions. Absolute annual numbers of drifting larvae varied between 1.2 million (1996) and 12.8 million (2003). The mean survival rate of the estimated number of laid eggs compared with drifting larvae was 0.88 and 0.93% in 1995 and 1996, respectively, relative to 5.6% in 1997, 3.82% in 1998 and 2.41% in 1999. These results indicate that the new area had a positive impact on the reproductive success of lake sturgeon in the Des Prairies River. From 1994 to 2003, strong cohorts in the lower St. Lawrence system were related to high larval drift in this river. However, high larval production did not necessarily lead to a strong cohort, and year-class strength determination also appeared affected by environmental factors, with the strongest year classes all associated with high June flow rates (over 1150 m3 s−1) in the Des Prairies River. The information gathered during this study enabled us to refine previous observations on the management of sturgeon spawning grounds and the planning of their design, surface area, substrate and location, as well as other physical parameters.
Selenium concentrations in the liver, kidneys, and muscles in silver foxes [Vulpes vulpes]

Selenium concentrations in the liver, kidneys, and muscles of silver foxes living at a farm in West Pomerania, (northwestern Poland) were determined. The studies were performed on 243 tissue samples collected from 81 foxes. Selenium concentration was determined using the modified Watkinson’s spectrofluorometric method. The highest Se concentration was found in the kidneys, with a mean level of 0.587 µg/g of wet weight. In the liver, the mean level was 0.247 µg/g w.w. and in muscles 0.070 µg/g w.w.
EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT BROILER GENOTYPES

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum supplementation on the performance and carcass parameters of different genotypes of broiler chickens. Totally 60 one-day-old chickens of Cobb 500, 60 one-day-old chickens of Hubbard JV and 60 one-day-old chickens of Ross 308 were divided in two groups: control chicken group (n=30) received drinking water without any additives and experimental chickens group (n=30) received probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7158 with concentration of 1x10 9 colony forming units (CFU) in drinking water from day 1 to day 42 of fattening. Individual body weights of all birds, feed conversion ratio per group were determined in 21 and 42 day, total mortality rate we recorded in 42 day of fattening period. Carcass quality of broiler chickens was determined at the end of the experiment. The supplementation of probiotic affected positively body weight (P<0.05) in all broiler chicken genotypes in 21 and 42 day of fattening. Feed conversion ratio in 21 and 42 day was similar in control and experimental groups. The probiotic no significant (P≥0.05) affected percentage of breast and thighs form carcass body, weight of giblets and carcass yield. The probiotic addition significantly (P<0.05) reduced the abdominal fat content of the chicken meat.
The role of species traits in the establishment success of exotic birds

There is now abundant evidence that propagule pressure, a composite measure of the number of individuals released into the nonnative location that varies between introduction events, is the most consistent predictor of success in the establishment of exotic species. However, the reasons why we expect propagule pressure to be important – because larger propagules ameliorate the effects of demographic, environmental or genetic stochasticity, or of Allee effects – also predict an influence of species traits on success. Here, we use a quantitative meta‐analytical approach to assess the effect of three categories of species‐level traits in the successful establishment of nonnative bird species: traits relating to population growth rates, traits that predispose species to Allee effects, and traits that enable a species to cope with novel environments. Traits that predispose species to Allee effects tend to decrease introduction success, whereas traits that enable a species to cope with novel environments tend to increase success. The breadth of habitats a species uses has the strongest mean effect of all variables analysed here. Mean effects for traits relating to population growth rates conflict in sign: in general, success is greater for species with large body mass whereas clutch size is not consistently related to establishment success. These results suggest a likely influence of some species‐level traits on exotic bird establishment success, especially traits that enable a species to cope with novel environments. We suggest that considering such traits in terms of the small‐population paradigm from conservation biology may be a productive avenue for future research.
Influence of corn on common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) growth and fecundity

Abstract Four experiments were conducted in central Iowa during 2001 and 2002 to determine the effects of weed emergence time and corn row spacing on common waterhemp growth and fecundity. Four common waterhemp emergence cohorts were established in each experiment and corresponded to the VE, V3, V5, and V8 stages of corn grown in rows spaced 38 and 76 cm apart. Common waterhemp mortality averaged 20, 56, 97, and 99% for the first, second, third, and fourth cohorts, respectively. Mean mature common waterhemp height for the first cohort was 140 cm, whereas plants emerging at the V8 corn stage were only 5 cm tall. Biomass of the first cohort was 20% less in 38-cm rows than in 76-cm rows, but later cohorts were not affected by row spacing. Biomass and seed production of waterhemp emerging at the V3, V5, and V8 corn stages decreased 80, 97, and 99%, respectively in comparison with the first cohort. Overall results indicate that common waterhemp biomass, survival, and fecundity decline sharply with delayed emergence relative to corn, but weeds emerging at or before the V5 corn stage may still contribute significantly to the seed bank. Nomenclature: Common waterhemp, Amaranthus rudis Sauer AMATA; corn, Zea mays L.
Mbd3 and deterministic reprogramming

Rais et al. (Nature 502: 65-70) reported that suppressing formation of the Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex by depleting its structural component Mbd3 promotes near 100% induction of somatic cells reprogrammed to pluripotency. These results have not been independently reproduced and conflicting data were obtained in a recent study by our groups (Cell Stem Cell 15: 102-10). Here we investigate the source of these disparities through analysis of the genomic data accompanying Rais et al. In contrast to the conditions described in the study, Mbd3 remained expressed at high levels in both heterozygous and incompletely ablated knockout cell lines used to assess pluripotency induction in an Mbd3-depleted state, calling into question the involvement of Mbd3 in the reported improvements to reprogramming efficiency. Mismatched reporter constructs were found to be applied to Oct4-GFP experiment and control cells, where the primary enhancer element regulating Oct4 expression is present only in the test group where apparent enhancements in reprogramming kinetics were observed. This setup led to inappropriate comparison of test cells harboring a promiscuous Oct4-GFP reporter and control cells transformed with a much more stringent version. Such conditions are expected to incur substantial differences in GFP output and misleading interpretation of fluorescence data. We relay our findings to inform the community of these issues and to express our concerns regarding the conclusions presented in Rais et al.
Induction of defense responses in apple fruit treated with Pichia guilliermondii and silicon against Penicillium expansum

Regarding the wide infection of apple fruits to blue mould disease caused by Penicillium expansum in storages, the experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of the yeast Pichia guilliermondii alone and in combination with silicon (Si) at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% w/v for control of P. expansum at 20 ˚C. The results showed that P. guilliermondii was effective in controlling of blue mould disease, but combination of the yeast with Si at 0.3% w/v increased its efficacy, significantly (p<0.05). The results indicated that the highest amount of phenolic compounds (PCs) was two days after pathogen inoculation and in ASP (P. guilliermondii + 0.1% Si (w/v)+ P.expansum) treatment. ASP treatment caused the increase in peroxidase (POX) activity that reached the maximum level four days after pathogen inoculation. The increasing in PCs and POX in infected apple treated by P. guilliermondii and Si may be one of the mechanisms responsible for its biocontrol activity.
Molecular and spatial analyses reveal links between colony-specific foraging distance and landscape-level resource availability in two bumblebee species

Foraging distance is a key determinant of colony survival and pollination potential in bumblebees Bombus spp. However this aspect of bumblebee ecology is poorly understood because of the difficulty in locating colonies of these central place foragers. Here, we used a combination of molecular microsatellite analyses, remote sensing and spatial analyses using kernel density estimates to estimate nest location and foraging distances for a large number of wild colonies of two species, and related these to the distribution of foraging habitats across an experimentally manipulated landscape. Mean foraging distances were 755 m for Bombus lapidarius and 775 m for B. pascuorum (using our most conservative estimation method). Colony-specific foraging distances of both species varied with landscape structure, decreasing as the proportion of foraging habitats increased. This is the first time that foraging distance in wild bumblebees has been shown to vary with resource availability. Our method offers a means of estimating foraging distances in social insects, and informs the scale of management required to conserve bumblebee populations and enhance their pollination services across different landscapes.
Effect of feeding diets containing a probiotic or antibiotic on broiler performance, intestinal mucosa-associated avian pathogenic E. coli and litter water-soluble phosphorus

Summary The aim of the present experiment was to examine the influence of feeding diets containing a probiotic containing three Bacillus subtilis strains or zinc bacitracin (BMD) on bird performance, intestinal mucosa-associated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), intestinal morphology and litter water-soluble phosphorus (WSP) of broilers fed corn-based diets. Three treatments were employed, either a control diet; the control diet supplemented with probiotic at 7.5 × 10 4 colony forming units (cfu) /g of feed or the supplemented with BMD (50g/tonne feed). Broiler starter and finisher diets, based on corn and soybean meal, were formulated and fed ad libitum to seven pens of 50 male broilers per treatment from days 1 to 42. During the 1-35 d periods, feed intake and weight gain were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments, but probiotic supplementation improved (P 0.05) by dietary treatments. However, probiotic improved (P = 0.05) and BMD tended (P = 0.07) to improve FCR compared to control diet. Villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. The number of mucosa-associated APEC was not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Probiotic and BMD supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on litter total phosphorus. However, BMD reduced (P < 0.05) litter WSP compared to control and probiotic supplemented diet. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation had no effect on intestinal morphology or WSP but improved broiler performance and can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.