Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Polled Gir Polled in Northeastern Brazil: population genetic structure via analysis of pedigree

In this study we used data from the 2558 pedigree cattle polled Gir born from 1954 to 2005. Analyses were performed using the Endog program. Of all animals studied, 61.86%, 10.56% and 0.10% had a pedigree in the first, second and third generation, respectively. The effective number of herds that provide breeding males was 10.25 for parents and 3.87 for grandparents, corroborating the low completeness of the pedigree. The number of founder animals was 975.5 and the effective number of founders were 141.34. The number of ancestors in the reference population was 924 animals from which only 39 accounted for 50% of the genetic variability of the population. The average relationship coefficient was estimated at 0.75%, the largest individual coefficient was 25%. The inbreeding coefficient was zero from 1954 to 1894. It is noteworthy that during this period included the population was low, but may be underestimated because of the small pedigree integrity.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Tetraploid AB-Genome Avena Species Evaluated by Means of Cytogenetic (C-Banding and FISH) and RAPD Analyses

Tetraploid oat species Avena abyssinica, A. vaviloviana, A. barbata, and A. agadiriana were studied using C-banding technique, in situ hybridization with the 45S and 5S rDNA probes, and RAPD analysis in comparison with the diploid species carrying different types of the A-genome (A. wiestii, As; A. longiglumis, Al; A. canariensis, Ac; A. damascena, Ad, A. prostrata, Ap). The investigation confirmed that all four tetraploids belong to the same AB-genome group; however A. agadiriana occupies distinct position among others. The C-banding, FISH, and RAPD analyses showed that Avena abyssinica, A. vaviloviana, and A. barbata are very similar; most probably they originated from a common tetraploid ancestor as a result of minor translocations and alterations of C-banding polymorphism system. AB-genome species are closely related with the A-genome diploids, and an As-genome species may be regarded as the most probable donor of their A-genome. Although their second diploid progenitor has not been identified, it seems unlikely that it belongs to the As-genome group. The exact diploid progenitors of A. agadiriana have not been determined; however our results suggest that at least one of them could be related to A. damascena.
Metabolism of a sub-tropical low gradient black water river

SUMMARY. 1. Single-station diel oxygen curves were used to monitor the oxygen metabolism of the Ogeechee River, a sixth-order blackwater river in the Coastal Plain of southeastern U.S.A. , over a period of 4 years. Ecosystem production (P) and respiration (R) were estimated, and P/R ratios calculated to determine the extent of autotrophy characteristic of this type of river. The potential error in oxygen metabolism caused by photo-oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the water was measured and found to be minor. 2. Rates of ecosystem primary production measured were intermediate compared to other rivers, ranging from 0.49 to 13.99g O2m−2 day −1.Primary production rates were highest during the summer when water levels were low. Regression analysis indicated that water depth and light absorption by DOM were significant predictors of primary production in this river. Incident light intensities were not significantly correlated with production rate. 3. Respiration rates were unusually high, varying between 3.70 and 11.5 g O2 m−2 day − 1. System respiration also varied seasonally, but less than primary production. Rates were slightly higher in spring and summer. 4. With one exception, P/R ratios were considerably lower than l throughout the study period, indicating that the Ogeechee River was highly heterotrophic. PIR ratios ranged from 0.09 to 1.3, and averaged 0.25. 5. A carbon budget calculated for this river showed floodplain inputs were 7 times autochthonous production. Organic carbon turnover length was 690 km, considerably longer than has been reported for lower-order rivers.
Efeito do tratamento de sementes de algodoeiro com fungicidas no controle do tombamento em relação à densidade de inóculo de Rhizoctonia solani.

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is considered the most important cause of cotton damping-off in Brazil. Treatment of seeds with fungicides is the most efficient and economical procedure to control this disease. The performance of fungicides depends, among many other factors, of the pathogen population in the soil. This work was carried out, under greenhouse conditions at Embrapa Agropecuaria Oeste, Dourados, MS, with the goal to determine the effect of treatment of cotton seeds with fungicides to control damping-off at different inoculum densities of R. solani in the soil. Seeds of cultivar DeltaOpal treated or not with different fungicides were sowed 3 cm deep in sand contained in plastic flats. Seeds were placed in individual and equidistant wells. Inoculum of the fungus was homogeneously distributed in the substrate. The fungus was grown for 35 days on autoclaved oat seeds and then ground to powder using a mill until reach the size of 1mm. Four inoculum densities were tested: 1 g; 2 g; 3 g e 4 g/plastic flat with dimensions of 56x35x10 cm. The effect of the fungicide treatment on initial and final seedling emergence, as well as, in the control of post and pre-emergence damping-off was observed. Treatment of seed with a combinations of fungicides gave the best results in controlling damping-off as compared to the use of each fungicide alone. The interaction fungicides x inoculum densities, was significant indicating that the efficiency of the fungicides was somehow affected by the fungus densities. Fungicides had the best performance at low inoculum densities (1g and 2g/flat). As for fungi populations of 3g and 4g/flat, the efficiency of all fungicides tested decreased sharply, with a reduced control of the disease. The fungicides used in this study did not have any phytotoxic effect on cotton seedlings.
Morphological comparison of floral nectaries in Musaceae, with refer- ence to its pollinators

The floral nectaries of three species of Musaceae s. s. representing the genera Musa, Ensete and Musella were comparatively investigated. Our observations revealed that nectaries of these three genera belonged to the interlocular septal type. In female flowers, nectaries were limited to the upper part of the ovaries above the locules, while in male flowers (with aborted ovaries) nectaries entirely occupied the aborted ovaries. A transection of nectary ducts suggested a complex and highly proliferated labyrinthine structure. The three species shared a few common features in the palisade-like epithelial cells, vascular supplies, and nectary openings. However, they showed some differences in longitudinal section and transectinal outline. The nectaries of Ensete glaucum had the highest starch content, and those of Musa basjoo and E. glaucum had fibrillar material presented in nectar ducts. Pollination syndromes among the three species showed high diversity, while inflorescence and flower characters (such as pendant or erect inflorescences, bract color, nectar volume and production over time, etc.) and pollination patterns were highly correlated. There were no strong correlations between nectary structures and pollinator behavior, although gelatinous or watery nectar was associated with the foraging preference of pollinators.
Phylogenetic systematics of the Gondwanan nephilid spider lineage Clitaetrinae (Araneae, Nephilidae)

This study revises the taxonomy, biology, phylogeny, and biogeography of the basal‐most nephilid spider lineage, the Clitaetrinae, with the least known nephilid genus Clitaetra. The five previously known species are redescribed: Clitaetra clathrata Simon from western Africa, C. simoni Benoit from central Africa, C. episinoides Simon from the Comoro Islands and Mayotte, C. perroti Simon from Madagascar, and C. thisbe Simon from Sri Lanka with first descriptions of the males of C. clathrata and C. perroti. Additionally, C. irenae sp. nov. is described in both sexes from southern Africa. Clitaetra biology, so far largely unknown, is presented here based on observations of C. irenae in South Africa, and clitaetrine anatomy is summarized to assess phylogenetic homologies. A species‐level phylogenetic analysis of 32 taxa scored for 197 morphological and behavioural characters results in eight most parsimonious cladograms and places Clitaetra as sister to the clade (Herennia+ (Nephilengys+Nephila)). Thus, the orb‐weaving spider family Nephilidae Simon contains the (sub)tropical genera Nephila, Nephilengys, Herennia, and Clitaetra, but not Deliochus or Phonognatha. Contra recent cladistic treatments, the nephilines are not tetragnathids, but the sister group to the newly proposed clade, Nephilidae, is ambiguous. The three species clades (subgenera) within Clitaetra show a seemingly old Gondwanan biogeographic pattern: Afroetra subgen. nov., with the three mainland African species, is sister to Clitaetra with the two Indian Ocean island species. Indoetra subgen. nov. contains the unstudied species from Sri Lanka, C. thisbe. Future understanding of the morphology and biology of C. thisbe is important for the polarization of many nephilid features. Vicariance would estimate the clitaetrine subgeneric clades and basal nephilid lineages to be at least 160 Myr old and of Gondwanan origin.
Studies in Tick-borne Fever of Sheep. I. Transmission by the Tick, Ixodes ricinus, with a Description of the Disease Produced

1. The causal agent of tick-borne fever is transmitted by the adult female and the nymphal stage of the tick Ixodes ricinus. Two female ticks are sufficient to produce infection in a sheep. The larval stage does not appear to be infective. In a limited number of experiments the disease has not been produced in sheep by the inoculation of emulsions of presumably infective ticks. 2. The disease as produced by tick infestation is characterised by a period of incubation which varies from 3 to 13 days, after which there is a sharp rise in temperature; a “plateau” type of febrile reaction follows which lasts from 6 to 22 days, the temperature gradually subsiding to normal. Affected animals usually recover. Mortality as a direct result of infection is rare, but there is evidence to suggest that tick-borne fever may predispose affected animals to death from secondary causes. 3. The blood of a sheep which has reacted to the disease remains infective for some time after the subsidence of the thermal reaction. 4. The goat is susceptible to tick-borne fever. 5. The economic importance of tick-borne fever is discussed.
Comparative gross studies on lungs of Aseel and Vanaraja breeds of poultry.

A comparative gross morphometric study of lungs was conducted in grower and adult poultry birds of Aseel and Vanaraja breeds. More body weight gain was noticed in Vanaraja (3322.14 gm) than Aseel (1472.43 gm) in both the groups which may be attributed to its germplasm. The percentage contribution of the lungs to the body weight and weight specific volume of lungs were highly significant in Aseel to that of Vanaraja. In both the groups, the length of left lung was 0.03-0.18 cm more than right lung. While, the thickness of left lung was 0.02-0.06 cm less than right lung in both the groups.
Determination of Seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep in Şanlıurfa Province

The aim of this study was to detect the seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in Şanliurfa province using the Sabin-Feldman dye test. Serum samples collected from 300 sheep were tested for T. gondii. Serological examination revealed 167 (55.66%) sheep to be seropositive. Among these sera the numbers of seropositive samples at certain dilution steps were as follows: 65 at 1/16, 63 at 1/64, 27 at 1/256 and 12 at 1/1024. There was no significant correlation between seropositivity and the factors age, sex and breed. In conclusion, detection of a 34% seropositivity rate in 1/64 and higher dilutions indicates the clinical course of toxoplasmosis in the region.
The influence of circular economy implementation on competitiveness in manufacturing companies

As companies in the manufacturing sector are starting to incorporate circular economy targets in their strategies, they need to understand what capabilities and circular engineering solutions they should develop and implement, including their likely impact on the company performance. Based on survey data from manufacturing companies operating in Germany (N=111) collected in December 202l/January 2022, we present how the perceived level of circular economy, via the implementation of circularity into operations, products and services, influences the company's perceived competitiveness on the level of product/service innovativeness. The results indicate that employees in the companies perceive that the level of circular economy implementation (i.e., implementing circularity into operations, products and services) has a significant influence on the perceived product/service innovativeness and perceived competitiveness of companies that have already incorporated circular economy into their strategy. Furthermore, the data indicate that fostering a circular economy-oriented business culture alone is no longer enough for ensuring competitiveness.
OBSERVATIONS ON FOLIAGE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SEVERAL CONIFEROUS TREE SPECIES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur in needles of alpine fir, amabilis fir, western red cedar, Douglas fir, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce and Sitka spruce trees growing in a number of areas of British Columbia was determined.Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in current needles of three groups of alpine fir seedlings was 1.05-1.85, 0.18-0.26, 0.70-1.08, 0.29-. 044, 0.07-0.11, and 0.12-0.16 per cent, respectively. The nutrient content in the same order was 0.99, 0.16, 1.20, 0.30, 0.08, and 0.12 per cent in a single group of amabilis fir samples.In the lone set of western red cedar samples the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were in the order of 0.73, 0.13, 0.52, 1.16, 0.10 and 0.07 per cent.The percentage of the six nutrients in current Douglas fir needles from seven locations was 0.88-1.37, 0.12-0.22, 0.38-0.70, 0.16-0.44, 0.07-0.18, and 0.14-0.25 for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, respectively.The nutrient content of current needles of w.
Revision of the Southern African Pollen Beetle Genus Anthystrix (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae)

ABSTRACT The pollen beetle genus Anthystrix Kirejtshuk, 1981 previously included six South African species characterized by unusual dimorphic development of male antennal characters. The genus is revised and three new species are described from South Africa, including Anthystrix endroedyi new species, Anthystrix flabellicornis new species, and Anthystrix megalocera new species. Anthystrix luculenta Kirejtshuk & Easton 1988, Anthystrix rotundiclava Kirejtshuk & Easton 1988, and Anthystrix martini (Grouvelle, 1899) need to be transferred to two new undescribed genera. These new genera will globally include ≈20 species, most of which remain undescribed or previously attributed to the unrelated genus Meligethinus Grouvelle, 1906. One new synonymy is proposed: Meligethinus uhligi Kirejtshuk & Easton, 1988, = Pria martini Grouvelle, 1899, syn. nov. Larval host plants of Anthystrix species are reported as dioecious Asteraceae trees within the tribe Tarchonantheae (Tarchonanthus). An identification key to all Anthystrix species is provided.
Population densities and community structure of birds in Acacia savanna in the lowveld of Swaziland

The community structure and population density of birds was studied at four sites in Acacia savanna in the lowveld of Swaziland. Birds were surveyed monthly between June 1998 and May 1999 using a standard point-count technique. A total of 128 species of birds was recorded in Acacia savanna (of these, population estimates were calculated for 107 species). Species richness was similar at the four sites, as was total bird population density (when the highly mobile finches and canaries were excluded from calculations). Bird densities increased from winter to summer and then declined in autumn. These seasonal changes in density are expected, and are due to an influx of migrants and newly-fledged offspring in late spring and summer. In contrast to species richness and population density, species composition varied between the four areas. This finding suggests that Acacia savanna is not as homogenous as commonly thought. The conservation implications of this are discussed.
Evolution of the New Zealand vascular flora: Regional and provincial patterns of richness, radiation, and endemism

Abstract Analysis of species richness, radiation, and endemism in 171 list‐regions and 19 botanical provinces of the New Zealand botanical region indicates that the Late Cenozoic radiation of the New Zealand vascular flora has produced divergent phylogenetic trends in regional and provincial floras. Floristic richness at all taxonomic levels is strongly determined by land area. After accounting for area, most exceptionally species‐rich list‐regions occur immediately east of the South Island main divide, on calcareous substrates in West Nelson, or on several central North Island ranges. Depauperate floras are predominantly in the south on Auckland and Campbell Islands, and four Central Otago and two Southland ranges or basins. Family and genus richness decrease with latitude, but it appears that there has been compensatory radiation from a few herbaceous families in southern island and upland floras, so that species richness shows no latitudinal trend. We present a measure of aggregate regional endemism that is comparable between list‐regions and provinces of different floristic richness. Offshore island groups are the most insular floras, with exceptionally high endemism across different taxonomic ranks; northern island floras have high degrees of family and genus endemism and high phylogenetic diversity, while the subantarctic island floras have high species endemism and high radiation. In contrast, mainland botanical provinces all show average levels of regional endemism after correcting for species richness. With the exception of gymnosperms, the most New Zealand‐endemic plant groups have the most narrow regional distributions. We discuss latitudinal patterns of endemism among plant groups in terms of dispersal and adaptation. Land protection measures will achieve different phylogenetic outcomes in different landscapes across the New Zealand botanical region.
Biogeochemical Diversity Along a Riverside Toposequence in Arctic Alaska

Nitrogen and phosphorus pool sizes, distribution, and cycling rates were described and compared for six different ecosystem types occurring along a single topose- quence in northern Alaska. The toposequence was located on a series of old floodplains of the Sagavanirktok River, in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range. From tussock tundra in the uplands, the toposequence passed through a relatively dry hilltop heath zone, a hillslope shrub/lupine/Cassiope zone, a footslope Equisetum zone, a wet sedge tundra, and a riparian shrub zone. A late-melting snowbank covered the hillslope site in early June of each year, and the sites consistently varied in soil temperature, soil moisture, thaw depth, and the seasonal pattern of soil thaw. The standing stocks of N, P, and C in soils of these six ecosystem types varied dra- matically but not monotonically along the toposequence, as did the turnover rates of these elements. Several measures were used in comparisons of N and P availability, including soil solution concentrations, in situ accumulation on ion-exchange resins, and levels of KCl-extractable N and P. Annual rates of net N mineralization were assayed using a buried bag method, and ecosystem respiration was measured by trapping CO2 in soda lime (NaOH + Ca (OH)2). Soil P pools were characterized by sequential extraction methods into four major pools, including loosely bound P, Al- and Fe-bound P, primary mineral P, and organic P. Both N and P availability were low in all six ecosystems when compared with temperate forests or wetlands. Among ecosystems, however, there was considerable variation in the relative availability of N vs. P, and in the apparent relative importance of nitrate as a nitrogen source.
Nodulation and Yields of Arachis hypogaea L. as Affected by Soil Management in the Congo

ABSTRACT The burning of crop residues and trash is a common practice in the groundnut cropping areas in Congo. In order to study the effect of this farming system, soil rhizobia and yields in groundnut crops were compared with those obtained at different levels of phosphorus and potassium fertilization. In the first experiment, the burning farming system with and without liming was tested on the nodulation and yields of three A. hypogaea cultivars. In the second one, a combination of four levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg P/ha) with three levels of potassium (0, 50 and 100 kg K/ha) were tested. In the third one, the four levels of P (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg P/ha) and Kat a rate of 50 kg K/ha were also tested. Results showed that burning increased the nodulation in groundnut crops by up to 91% and yields by up to 47–56%. Increasing the rate of phosphorus from 0 to 40 kg P/ha failed to enhance nodulation and pod yield. However, at a rate of 50 kg K/ha, phosphorus application at rates ranging from 40 t.
A phylogeographical perspective on the ex situ conservation of Aylacostoma (Thiaridae, Gastropoda) from the High Paraná River (Argentina–Paraguay)

Aylacostoma Spix, 1827, contains species that are the subject of focused conservation efforts under the auspices of the ‘Aylacostoma Project’, the only ex situ conservation programme for freshwater gastropods in South America. Two species from the High Parana River (Argentina–Paraguay) are included in this programme (Aylacostoma chloroticum Hylton Scott, 1954 and Aylacostoma brunneum Vogler & Peso, 2014), as their habitats have disappeared as a consequence of the filling of the Yacyreta Reservoir in the 1990s. At present, A. chloroticum is restricted to only one known wild population in a small and fragile habitat, and wild populations of A. brunneum are presumed to have gone extinct. We used partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene to provide the first phylogeographical perspective on these species from a limited dataset containing representatives of several wild populations that are successfully being bred in captivity. We found low genetic diversity and two haplotypes in A. chloroticum, and absence of variation with one haplotype in A. brunneum. The reservoir's entry zone was identified to be of great interest for conservation, and is where we suggest re-introductions and translocations should be targeted, to preserve the future evolutionary potential of the extant diversity. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London