Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrição mineral e qualidade do fruto do abacaxizeiro e do maracujazeiro

Several factors influence the productivity and fruit quality of pineapple and passion fruit, among which are: climate, soil fertilization and irrigation practices. Mineral nutrition is essential to increase productivity and improve fruit quality; however, there is a few information about the effect of fertilization in these two fruit crops, especially under tropical conditions. The objective of this review was to compile the main research results, in which the influence of mineral nutrition on the fruit quality was evaluated. We considered the information recently published in scientific journals, and presented it for the macronutrients individually, then to NPK and, finally, the micronutrients. The review showed that it is difficult to say that some element favors or not certain characteristics of pineapple and passion fruit fruits, since the results are inconsistent and there is not many information. More than established the effects of mineral nutrients on the fruit quality of these two fruit crops, we stand out that research in this topic is very necessary.
Genetic similarity among isolates of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, causal agent of tan spot of wheat

Tan spot, a foliar disease of wheat, is caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. On susceptible wheat cultivars, P. tritici-repentis induces two distinct symptoms: tan necrosis and extensive chlorosis. Presently isolates of P. tritici-repentis are classified into 11 races based on their virulence on a set of wheat differential genotypes. In nature, this pathogen reproduces both sexually and asexually, but the extent of genetic variability in the P. tritici-repentis population of western Canada is unknown. This study was conducted to assess the genetic variability among different isolates of P. tritici-repentis and to determine if similarities among isolates are correlated with race classification or geographic origin of the isolates. Thirty-three isolates of P. tritici-repentis and one isolate each of P. teres f. sp. teres, P. teres f. sp. maculata, P. graminea, Helminthosporium sativum and an uncharacterized isolate were studied with 30 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Cluster analysis showed that all isolates had unique banding patterns and that clustering of isolates was independent of their race designation or geographic origin. Analysis of molecular variation (amova) showed that 96.8% of variability occurred among isolates and among race variability accounted for only 3.2% of the total variability.
Assessment of Biomass, Productivity and Sustainability of Soybean Based Cropping Systems at Three Levels of Nitrogen in Deep Vertisols of Semi-Arid Tropical India

ABSTRACT In a 2-year field experiment (2001/02-2002/03) on deep Vertisols of Bhopal, India, the production potential, economic feasibility and nutrient balance of five cropping systems (soybean, sorghum and maize as sole crops, soybean + sorghum and soybean + maize as intercrops) each at 0%, 75% and 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) during rainy season were evaluated followed by growing wheat with RDN during post-rainy season. The results indicated that sole cropping of sorghum and maize recorded higher biomass yield than sole soybean and their intercrops. In contrast, the biomass yield of wheat during post rainy season was higher when the preceding crops were sole soybean or soybean + maize intercropping. At N0 level, intercropping of soybean + maize followed by wheat system was more productive and remunerative with a gain of 7.7 and 27.0 kg/ha of soil available P and K, respectively, but resulted in a net loss of 4.0 kg/ha of soil available N over a period of 2 years. This cropping system was less susceptible to runoff and soil erosion. At 75% and 100% recommended N levels, maize-wheat system was more productive and remunerative with a gain of 2.0 and 5.8 kg/ha of soil available N, 9.0 and 7.8 kg/ha of soil available P and 35.0 and 28.4 kg/ha of soil available K, respectively. However this cropping system resulted in higher runoff and soil loss. Adopting appropriate agronomic and soil conservation measures may correct the negative aspect of this system.
The aerodynamic costs of asymmetry in the wings and tail of birds: asymmetric birds can’t fly round tight corners

Asymmetry in the wings and tails of birds is an unusual trait in that, because of their aerodynamic function, the optimum phenotype for the trait is known: perfect symmetry. There is considerable variation from this optimum both within and between species. Here I use simple aerodynamic theory to predict the aerodynamic costs of asymmetry in the wings and tail, and to examine the relation between the length of the wings or tail, and the cost of given amounts of absolute asymmetry (equal to a given fixed length) and relative asymmetry (asymmetry equal to a given proportion of the length of the wings or tail). The aerodynamic analysis shows that wing asymmetry is much more costly than tail asymmetry, and asymmetry in the aerodynamically functional parts of the tail is more costly than asymmetry in ornaments such as tail streamers. The cost of wing asymmetry and of asymmetry in aerodynamically functional parts of the tail is unaffected or decreases with trait length. In contrast, the aerodynamic cost of asymmetry in tail ornaments increases with trait size. Much of the pattern of variation in the level of fluctuating asymmetry in the wings and tail can thus be explained by natural selection for aerodynamic efficiency.
Protozoan stimulation of anaerobic microbial activity: enhancement of the rate of terminal decomposition of organic matter

Anaerobic microcosms were established in which plant material was degraded by the co-operative interaction of various bacterial metabolic types, and the production of CH4 and sulfide was monitored. The introduction of the anaerobic ciliate Metopus palaeformis resulted in a reduction of bacterial abundance but an increase in the rate of CH4 and sulfide production. The enhanced bacterial activity (resulting in an increased rate of bacterial CH4 production) was positively correlated with the number of ciliates present. The endosymbiotic methanogens of M. palaeformis did not contribute significantly to the observed increase in CH4 production. It was concluded that protozoan excretions such as organic acids (acetate, propionate) were most likely responsible. Protozoa have previously been shown to enhance bacterial activity in aerobic systems, but this is the first report of the phenomenon in anaerobic systems. Bacterial stimulation by protozoan grazing signifies the importance of anaerobic protozoa in the natural environment, not just in controlling bacterial numbers but also in vitalising ecosystem function.
Nitrogen fixation by annual forage legumes and its contribution to succeeding wheat in the Ethiopian highlands

Abstract Soil fertility is declining in most agro‐ecosystems in sub‐Saharan Africa, and incorporation of forage legumes into production systems to utilize the nitrogen fixed by the legumes could alleviate the problem, if efficient nitrogen‐fixing legumes are used. The amounts of nitrogen fixed by Lablab, Medicago, Trifolium, and Vicia species and their contribution to the following wheat crop were estimated in field experiments on an Alfisol at Debre Zeit in the Ethiopian highlands. The amounts of nitrogen (N) fixed ranged from 40 kg N ha‐1 for T. steudneri to 215 kg N ha‐1 for L. purpureus. The increase in grain yields of wheat following the legumes ranged from 16% for T. steudneri to 71% for M. tranculata where no N fertilizer was applied to the wheat. Additional N fertilizer applied to wheat at 60 kg N ha‐1 had no significant effects on wheat grain or straw DM andN yields. In another experiment, eight lablab treatments consisting of factorial combinations of two cultivars (Rongai and Highworth), two Rhizobium inoculation treatments (inoculated and uninoculated) and two times of harvest (for hay at 50% flowering and for seed at seed maturity), were compared on lablab forage production and N yield, and residual effects on two succeeding wheat crops. Inoculation had no significant effects on nodulation, shoot DM or N yields. Rongai had significantly higher shoot DM and N yields than Highworth. Lablab harvested at flowering had significantly higher shoot DM and N yields than lablab harvested at seed maturity. Grain yields of the first wheat crop following the various lablab crops were 93–125% higher than grain yields of the wheat following wheat (continuous wheat) where no N fertilizer was applied. Therefore, lablab is a potential forage crop for incorporation into cereal production systems to improve feed quality and to reduce dependence on N fertilizers for cereal production.
Studies on the Formation of Compound Yolk in the Developing Oocytes of an Air-breathing Fish Channa punctatus (Bloch)

1. The process of vitellogenesis in an air breathing fish, Channa punctatus has been studied using histochemical tests for proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.2. The results indicate two categories of compound yolk formed during vitellogenesis, one-the intravesicular and the other intervesicular yolk.3. The intravesicular yolks develop within yolk vesicles and are composed of polysaccharides including glycogen, protein and RNA. In mature oocytes, these yolks occupy a peripheral position and the smaller variants of such yolk form the cortical alveoli lying just below the vitelline membrane which might participate in the process of fertilization.4. The intervesicular yolks are in the form of spherical globules which fill in most part of the cell except a zone of peripherally displaced PAS positive intravesicular yolk bodies and are mainly composed of proteins and lipoproteins.5. Both nucleolar extrusions and extra-oocytic materials brought into the oocyte by maternal circulation and entering through endocytosis contribute to the formation of intervesicular yolk.6. The appearance of ‘yolk nucleus’ in the early oocytes and its disappearance in mature oocytes is speculated to be involved in the process of yolk deposition.
Application of Recurrent Selection for Low Grain Moisture Content at Harvest in Tropical Maize

Late maturity and high grain moisture content at harvest have been major limitations to the use of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm in temperate regions. The objective of this study was to determine if selection for reduced grain moisture content at harvest in a tropical maize population indirectly influenced grain yield potential. Two hundred sixteen temperately-adapted S 4 lines were derived in 1991 at Raleigh, NC, from Cycle 9 of recurrent phenotypic selection for reduced grain moisture at harvest in the tropical maize population TROPHY, and these were testcrossed in 1992 at Raleigh, NC, to the temperate hybrid B73Ht x Mo17Ht. Selected subsets of these testcrosses were evaluated for their agronomic potential in seven environments over two years, and their performance was compared with that of Cycle 0 S 0 testcrosses as well as three public and three commercial F 1 hybrids. Selected Cycle 9 S 4 testcrosses had higher mean grain yield (7.14 Mg ha -1 ) and lower mean grain moisture at harvest (184 g kg -1 ) than the Cycle 0 S 0 testcrosses (6.77 Mg ha -1 , and 189 g kg -1 respectively). The highest yielding Cycle 9 S 4 testcrosses were comparable to the commercial hybrid LH132 x LH51. This study supported the conclusion that agronomically competitive inbred lines with acceptable grain moisture content at barvest can be derived from 100% tropical germplasm.
STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY THICKENING MERISTEM IN MIRABILIS JALAPA (NYCTAGINACEAE)

The structure and development of vascular cambium and its derivatives were studied in normal and experimentally injured stems of Mirabilis jalapa L. (Nyctaginaceae). In normal stems the cambium was semi-storied and composed exclusively of fusiform cambial cells with no rays. Several collateral vascular bundles were joined by interfascicular cambium and formed a complete ring of activity. After a defi nite period a small segment of cambium that produced conducting elements of xylem and phloem ceased to divide. A new segment of cambium was developed from the parenchyma cells outside the phloem of previous cambium. This newly formed cambial segment replaced the nonfunctional segment by joining with other functional segments to form a continuous ring. Each successive segment of cambium followed a similar pattern of development. Functionally the cambium was bidirectional, producing both xylem and phloem on opposite sides, but the rate of cell division towards phloem was very slow, thus making the cambium appear functionally unidirectional. Functional sieve elements were observed in all the phloem islands; nonfunctional sieve elements showed heavy accumulation of callose. Experimentally we tried to induce the formation of rays by injuring the cambium, but instead of forming wound meristem it formed cork cambium around the wounds. The meristematic segments present between the xylem and phloem of medullary bundles also remained active even at the senescent stage.
Effects of fasting and re-feeding on energy metabolism and thermogenesis in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri)

To investigate the effect of fasting and re-feeding on energy metabolism and thermogenesis in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri), the changes in body mass and body fat mass, resting metabolic rate (RMR), non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), body composition, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT), uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) content of BAT, serum leptin level and post-fasting food intake were monitored and measured. The results showed that fasting induced a significant reduction in body mass and body fat mass. Body mass was restored to the control level in re-feeding tree shrew except for the body fat. RMR and NST decreased significantly in response to fasting, and returned to the control level after re-feeding. Fasting induced significant reduction in total, but not specific, COX activity (nmol O2/min/total tissue) in liver and BAT, and UCP1 content in BAT, which was reversed after re-feeding 48 h. Fasting of 12 h induced a rapid reduction in serum leptin content. There were no post-fasting compensatory increases in food intake. Interestingly, the tree shrew did not recover adipose tissue mass, nor serum leptin levels, upon re-feeding. These results suggest that T. belangeri can adjust the status of its physiology integratively to cope with the lack of food by means of decreasing body mass, adaptive thermogenesis and serum leptin levels, and serum leptin level acted as a starvation signal to mediate predominantly the reduction in body mass and energy expenditure.
Effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, or Potassium on Fruit Quality, Abscission, and the Shelf Life of Guava Fruits. -

Effect of different sources of phosphorus, potassium, or calcium alone or in combinationson 'Manshiya' clone guava was studied during two successive seasons 1995 and 1996. Naphtalene Acetic Acid (NAA) applications either alone or in combination with the three mentioned minerals were also investigated. At harvest, the data indicated that CaC12 treatment did not result in a significant increase in fruit weight in both seasons. However, the combination of CaC12 plus each of potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, or NAA caused a significant increase in fruit weight as compared with the control. Similarly, the combination of NAA plus either potassium phosphate, or calcium phosphate, or CaC12 led to a significant increase in fruit weight as compared with the control in both seasons. Fruit firmness at harvest was significantly increased by CaC12 alone or in combination with NAA during both seasons while calcium phosphate was not effective in increasingflesh firmness either alone or plus NAA or potassium phosphate when compared with the control. Moreover, NAA alone was not able to significantly affect fruit firmness at harvest in both seasons.Fruit abscission was significantly reduced by potassium phosphate plus either NAA or CaC12 when compared with NAA or CaC12 alone in both seasons. Calcium phosphate was significantly more effective than CaC12 in reducing fruit abscission in both seasons. Carotenes in the fruit skin at harvestwere not significantly increased by phosphorus sources such as potassium phosphate spray in both seasons as compared with the control. The addition of calcium phosphate to potassium phosphate did not result in a significant increase in carotene contents at harvest. After the shelf life period, NAA alone was not able to retard the loss of fruit firmness when compared with the control. However, the combination of NAA plus CaC12 caused a significant retardation in the loss of firmness in bothseasons. Calcium chloride in addition to either calcium phosphate or potassium phosphate resulted in higher fruit firmness after 7 days on the shelf as' compared with the control. It could be concluded that the combination of potassium phosphate plus NAA had positive effects on fruit quality and reduction of fruit abscission at harvest. Phosphorus sources, however, such as potassium phosphate were not effective in increasing carotenes at harvest even when combined with NAA or calcium phosphate
Extraction load and intact crop removal in modified manual evisceration of male broilers.

Abstract During evisceration of commercial broilers, crops can rupture and contaminate the carcass with enteric bacteria pathogenic to humans. Three pre-evisceration procedures were compared to determine whether the percentage of crops extracted intact during manual evisceration could be increased: 1) leaving the head on; 2) removing the head between the first and second cervical vertebrae; and 3) shearing the spinal column parallel with the shoulders, then pulling the neck toward the head. The head-off and neck-off techniques resulted in significantly higher rates of extraction of intact crops (88.3 and 96.7%, respectively) compared to 15% with the head-on technique. The load required to remove intact crops from carcasses with the neck off was 16% lower (3.64 kg) than that required for carcasses with the head off (4.34 kg). Removal of the head or neck prior to manual evisceration improved the incidence of intact crop removal, and with removal of the neck less load was required. The cervical esophageal connection with the crop and attachments to the external crop surface, or attachments between exterior crop surface and neck muscles, appears to influence the likelihood of intact crop removal.
Influence of Body Size on Shell Mass in the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata

Abstract The large mass of a turtle's shell presumably reflects a trade-off between its protective function and its imposition on the energy cost of locomotion. To examine this, we developed a relationship between body mass and shell linear dimensions in Ornate Box Turtles, Terrapene ornata, from north-central Nebraska. Using the relationship between body mass and plastron width, we estimated body mass of box turtles killed on roadways, and we cleaned and weighed their shells. Shell mass may be a linear function of body mass in these turtles, amounting to approximately a constant 30% of their body mass. Alternatively, shell mass may be an exponential function of body mass, increasing with body mass to approximately the 1.2 power; in this case, shell mass increases more quickly than body mass in these animals. We are unable to distinguish between these models based on our analysis, but the increase in shell mass with body mass is more consistent with the shell serving a supportive, rather than a protective, function. Plastron thickness increases with body mass to approximately the 0.47 power in our animals, which is also higher than expected if the shell serves solely a protective function.
Development of the hypanthium and androecium in South American Myrtoideae (Myrtaceae)

Abstract Floral organogeny and development are described for three species of South American Myrtoideae: Acca sellowiana, Luma apiculata, and Ugni molinae. The flowers have large numbers of stamens which vary in size but are all initiated on the flank of the invaginated apex. The floral architecture is the result of the degree of synchrony of the timing of stamen initiation and hypanthial expansion. In A. sellowiana and U. molinae, stamen initiation is synchronised with hypanthial expansion, resulting in the even distribution of stamens over the entire hypanthial surface. Stamens of L. apiculata are initiated during and after hypanthial expansion, resulting in a discontinuous ring of stamens at the periphery of the hypanthium. Development in these species is in contrast to New Zealand Myrtoideae, where stamen initiation is complete prior to the completion of hypanthial expansion, resulting in the inner‐most stamens forming a discontinuous ring.
Age, growth, and sexual maturity of two New Zealand endemic skates, Dipturus nasutus and D. innominatus

Abstract Rough and smooth skates (Dipturus nasutus (Banks 1841) and/), innominatus (Garrick & Paul 1974)) were aged by counting growth bands on X‐rays of thick sections of vertebral centra. Band counts were imprecise, but there was no between‐reader bias. Age estimates were not validated. The oldest rough skate was 9 years old, but few were more than 6 years old. Females may live longer than males. The combined sexes von Bertalanffy growth curve was Lr = 91.3 (1 ‐ e−0.16[t + 1.20]). Half the males matured by c. 52 cm pelvic length (PL) and 4 years, and females by 59 cm PL and 6 years. The oldest smooth skate in the sample was 24 years, but longevity probably exceeds that. Females appear to live longer than males. The combined sexes von Bertalanffy growth curve was: Lt = 150.5 (1 ‐ e−0.095[t + 1.06]). Half the males matured by c. 93 cm PL and 8 years, and females by 112 cm PL and 13 years. Smooth skate are late maturing and long‐lived relative to other skates, whereas rough skate are early maturing with a moderate life span.
The Effect of Recombinant Heavy Metal-Resistant Endophytic Bacteria on Heavy Metal Uptake by Their Host Plant

ABSTRACT The ncc-nre nickel resistance system of Ralstonia metallidurans 31A was efficiently expressed in Burkholderia cepacia L.S. 2.4 and Herbaspirillum seropedicae LMG2284. The heterologous expression of ncc-nre encoded nickel resistance was accompanied by nickel removal from the culture medium. B. cepacia L.S. 2.4:: ncc-nre and H. seropedicae LMG2284::ncc-nre were able to remove 35 and 15% nickel, respectively. The capacity to remove nickel through sequestration or bio-precipitation processes and consequently lowering the free nickel concentration could offer interesting benefits for these endophytic bacteria and their host plants. Once inoculated in their host plant, they could possibly alter the nickel speciation and therefore decrease the free ions and thus toxic concentration for the plant metabolism. Lupinus luteus L, when grown on a nickel enriched substrate and inoculated with B. cepacia L.S. 2.4::ncc-nre, showed a significant increase (30%) of nickel concentration in the roots, whereas the nickel concentration in the shoots remained comparable with that of the control plants. The inoculation of Lolium perenne (cv Atlas) with the nickel resistance derivative of H. seropedicae LMG2284::ncc-nre resulted in a significant decrease of the nickel concentration in the roots (11%) as well as in the shoots (14%). As this phenomenon was also observed in the Lolium perenne plants inoculated with the wild-type strain LMG2284, the nickel resistance characteristics probably are not responsible for the altered nickel uptake observed.