Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an electrolyte leakage technique to predict St. Augustinegrass freezing tolerance

Stolons of 'Raleigh', 'Floratam', and FX-332 St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] were sampled from the field between October and March in two consecutive years to evaluate accuracy of an electrolyte leakage (EL) method for predicting freezing tolerance. Lethal temperatures of stolons estimated using EL were compared to those obtained by regrowth tests in the greenhouse. Mean lethal low temperatures for regrowth and EL methods over 12 sampling dates were 'Floratam', -4.5C (regrowth) vs. -4.4C (EL); FX-332, -4.2C (regrowth) vs. -4.9C (EL); and 'Raleigh', -6.0C (regrowth) vs. -5.4C (EL) [. ]
Prevalence and dynamics of natural infection with Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in brazi- lian cattles

Les variations de prevalence de la fasciolose d'origine naturelle ont ete determinees par l'observation d'un cheptel de 44 vaches (crossbred Holstein x zebu) et de leurs veaux dans la municipalite de Itajuba, Minas Gerais, Bresil, sur une periode de 12 mois. Les pontes parasitaires ont ete observees durant toute l'annee mais surtout pendant la periode seche (mars a octobre). Le debut de l'elimination d'oeufs par le parasite a ete observe pour la plupart des veaux a l'âge de quatre mois, ce qui suggere que la contamination s'est produite deux mois plutot, lorsqu'ils ont commence a se nourrir sur les pâturages. Pendant la periode de l'etude, 1058 echantillons de selles provenant de plusieurs fermes de Itajuba ont ete analyses et 10,59% se sont reveles positifs. A partir des resultats obtenus, Itajuba peut etre consideree comme une zone enzootique probablement a cause de son climat propice, du type d'elevage du betail et aussi du type de pâturage associe a la presence de l'hote intermediaire Lymnaea columella.
The effect of licorice drink on cytochrome P3A6 and P-glycoprotein gene transcription in rabbits -

The effect of licorice drink, a widely used herb in the Middle East, on hepatic and intestinal cytochrome P3A6 (CYP3A6) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) gene transcription using rabbit as an animal model was assessed. This article reports that licorice treated groups showed a significant induction of hepatic CYP3A6 expression by 17.6-folds, and an inhibition of intestinal CYP3A6 expression by 7.6-folds. Licorice administration did not affect P-gp expression neither in hepatic nor in intestinal tissues. It is concluded that licorice can affect the metabolism of drugs that are CYP3A6 substrates, but it might not affect the transport of drugs dependent on P-gp.
Population estimates of the breeding birds of the Tinhosas islands (Gulf of Guinea), the only major seabird colony of the eastern tropical Atlantic

The Tinhosas islands, in São Tomé e Príncipe, host the most important seabird breeding colony in the Gulf of Guinea, but information on its conservation status was hitherto unpublished or anecdotal, the last assessment having been performed in 1997. A two-day expedition to the Tinhosas islands was undertaken to estimate the status of breeding seabirds in 2013. Four of the five seabird species known to breed in São Tomé e Príncipe, namely Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus and Black Noddy Anous minutus, occur on the Tinhosas. A decrease of 80% in Brown Booby numbers, possibly due to occasional exploitation, and a 30% increase in Sooty Tern and Black Noddy numbers, were found compared to 1997 data although survey methods differed. Breeding of Brown Noddy and Madeiran Storm-petrel Hydrobates castro remains unconfirmed. Our estimates confirmed that BirdLife International Important Bird and Biodiversity Area criteria are met for at least one species, the Sooty Tern. The islands are not legally protected, nonetheless, apart from moderate levels of disturbance by fishermen who land on Tinhosa Grande, no alien species were seen, and no immediate threats to the Tinhosas colony were detected. Multiple visits within and between years are recommended, to census breeders, monitor threats and establish breeding phenologies.
Potential effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine foods on human health: a critical review

Abstract Marine pollution particularly oil pollution is a major threat to human and environmental health. Commercial species being suitable for consumption of marine environment such as fish, mollusks, invertebrates, etc. are demanded by consumers all around the world. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the most widespread organic environmental pollutants that pose a potential risk to human health via marine biota. Toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of PAHs are studied in several researches. This paper reviews thoroughly the sources, potential risks and harmful health effects of PAHs in marine food according to the findings of published research studies.
Efeito da relação siringil/guaiacil e de fenóis derivados da lignina nas características da madeira e do carvão vegetal de Eucalyptus spp

Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a relacao existente entre os conteudos dos fenois siringaldeido (Sg) e vanilina (V), derivados de lignina, e a relacao siringil/guaiacil com as caracteristicas da madeira, do carvao vegetal bem como com a perda de massa durante a pirolise. O experimento foi conduzido com sete materiais geneticos de Eucalyptus, e os dados avaliados por meio da analise de correlacao de Pear¬son. Observou-se correlacoes significativas do conteudo de vanilina, siringaldeido e relacao S/G com as caracteristicas avaliadas na madeira, no carvao vegetal e com a perda de massa durante a pirolise. Tanto o conteudo de vanilina como o de siringaldeido, apresentou correlacao significativa com o rendimento gravimetrico da carbonizacao. A amostra com maior quantidade de vanilina apresentou menor perda de massa entre 315-390oC (48,10%) ocasionando maior massa residual aos 450oC (22,40%). A correlacao observada entre o teor de vanilina e a perda de massa neste intervalo de temperatura evidencia o potencial das estruturas guaiacilicas da lignina para elevar o rendimento gravimetrico em carvao vegetal.
Cytotoxicity of 28 MEIC Chemicals to Rat Hepatocytes using Two Viability Endpoints: Correlation with Acute Toxicity Data in Rat and Man

28 of the chemicals on the MEIC list were tested on rat hepatocytes in culture. Firstly, the metabolic capacities of the cell model were characterised, i.e. cytochrome P450 content and conjugation activities. Two independent endpoints, MTT (tetrazolium salt) reduction (for mitochondrial integrity) and neutral red uptake (NRU, for lysosomal integrity), were then used to measure the cytotoxicities of the test compounds after incubation with the cells for 24 hours. The relative toxicities of the test chemicals were measured by the determination of IC50 values for each parameter. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between the results obtained in the two assays. The NRU assay, however, proved to be more sensitive than the MTT reduction assay. When the in vitro results were compared with those obtained from an in vivo data bank, good agreement was found with the acute toxicities of the test products in rats, with the exception of thioridazine, malathion, copper sulphate (all overestimated) and potassium cyanide (underestimated). In addition, a good correlation between basal cytotoxicity values for rat hepatocytes and LD50 for rats or lethal doses for humans was observed. These results suggest that the MTT reduction and/or NRU assays could be useful indicators of the cytotoxic potential of chemicals in rat hepatocyte cultures and thus provide information on the intrinsic lethal toxicity of compounds and their metabolites to rats and humans.
Effects of dietary Lactobicillus plantarum on the growth, carcass quality, and immune response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) challenged with Salmonella typhi

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on the production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Five experimental diets containing 0, 103, 105, 107, and 109 CFU of Lactobacillus plantarum g−1 diet (T1–T5 treatments respectively) were fed to African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (9.20 ± 0.1 g initial body mass), for 70 days. Results indicated significantly lower growth performance in the fish fed diet without probiotics and in those fed diet with the least probiotic level. Treatments with probiotics significantly improved the blood profile and carcass protein but significantly reduced the carcass fat (P < 0.05); these treatments also marginally improved the carcass minerals in comparison with the treatment without probiotic (P < 0.05). Challenging the fish fed the experimental diets with Salmonella typhi showed higher immunity of fish fed the probiotic diets than those fed the nonprobiotic diet. Duncan’s multiple range test showed that the best fish performance was observed with 103 CFU g−1 L. plantarum for very parameter measured. However, regression analyses showed the optimum level of the bacteria to be 104.13–105 CFU g−1
Cytogenetic effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes in the offspring of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident liquidators under the influence of mitomycin C in vitro and folic acid in vivo

: The data on cytogenetic examination concerning the offspring of the Chernobyl accident liquidators (cleanup personnel) have been obtained. It has been established that spontaneous chromosomal aberrations level before folic acid administration was 1,8 times higher than that value after its employment (4,45 to 2,42 %, p < 0,01). In lymphocyte cultures treated with mitomycin C accompanied by folic acid it was 4,5 times higher before their administration (23,95 to 5,36 %, p < 0,001). The data obtained confirm a possibility of stabilization of genetic apparatus in offspring of the Chernobyl disaster liquidators after folic acid administration.
Intracellular position of mitochondria and chloroplasts in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of C3 grasses in relation to photorespiratory CO2 loss

Abstract In C3 plants, photosynthetic efficiency is reduced by photorespiration. A part of CO2 fixed during photosynthesis in chloroplasts is lost from mitochondria during photorespiration by decarboxylation of glycine by glycine decarboxylase (GDC). Thus, the intracellular position of mitochondria in photosynthetic cells is critical to the rate of photorespiratory CO2 loss. We investigated the intracellular position of mitochondria in parenchyma sheath (PS) and mesophyll cells of 10 C3 grasses from 3 subfamilies (Ehrhartoideae, Panicoideae, and Pooideae) by immunostaining for GDC and light and electron microscopic observation. Immunostaining suggested that many mitochondria were located in the inner half of PS cells and on the vacuole side of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells. Organelle quantification showed that 62–75% of PS mitochondria were located in the inner half of cells, and 62–78% of PS chloroplasts were in the outer half. In mesophyll cells, 61–92% of mitochondria were positioned on the vacuole side of chloroplasts and stromules. In PS cells, such location would reduce the loss of photorespiratory CO2 by lengthening the path of CO2 diffusion and allow more efficient fixation of CO2 from intercellular spaces. In mesophyll cells, it would facilitate scavenging by chloroplasts of photorespiratory CO2 released from mitochondria. Our data suggest that the PS cells of C3 grasses have already acquired an initial structure leading to proto-Kranz and further C3–C4 intermediate anatomy. We also found that in the Pooideae, organelle positioning in PS cells on the phloem side resembles that in mesophyll cells.
The Effects of Season and Sex on the Nutritional Quality of Muscle Types of Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus and Swimming Crab Portunus segnis

The effects of season and sex on the nutritional quality of muscle types (lump crab meatLCM, claw crab meat-CCM) of swimming crab (Portunus segnis) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) were investigated. Carapace width, carapace length and total weight of both crab species were measured. High protein content in spring and low protein content in autumn were observed for both crab species. The levels of lipid content of both crab species were found to be similar. Higher lipid contents in spring and winter, lower lipid contents in summer and autumn for both sexes were found. Although both crab species contain small amounts of fat, they are good sources of n-3 PUFA content (especially EPA and DHA) for all seasons regardless of sex and muscle types.
Pollen Morphology of the Genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae) in Korea

The pollen morphology of eleven species and three forms of the genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae) in Korea was examined using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The pollen grains are grouped in permanent tetrahedral tetrads; viscin threads are present on the tetrads. The hexacolporate tetrads are of tricolporate monads whereby the apertures form in pairs at six points in the tetrad. The exine sculpture pattern is rugulate, scabrate or verrucate on mesocolpium but psilate, rugulate or microscabrate around the aperture on apocolpium. The exine of Korean Rhododendron pollen consists of tectum, columella, foot layer and endexine. The surface of viscin threads is more or less smooth. The threads are sometimes tangled together and occasionally divided into strands. Six types are recognized based on the pollen morphology. The types are: (1) Micranthum-type (rugulate mesocolpium and psilate apcolpium), (2) Tomentosum-type (rugulate mesocolpium and apocolpium), (3) Aureum-type (scabrate mesocolpium and rugulate apocolpium), (4) Brachycarpum-type (scabrate mesocolpium and rod shaped-microscabrate apocolpium), (5) Schlippenbachiitype (scabrate mesocolpium and round-microscabrate apocolpium) and (6) Weyrichii-type (verrucate mesocolpium).
Effect of planting time and plant densities on yield and yield contributing characters in garlic (Allium sativum L.) cv. Jamnagar.

Different plant population densities and planting time on yield and yield contributing characters of garlic was investigated using split plot design with four planting dates and six plant densities. Significant differences in bulb weight, number of cloves per bulb, size of clove, yield per plant and yield per ha were recorded due to planting time, plant densities and their interaction. Planting of garlic on 1st November recorded significantly higher yields and delayed plantings reduced the yield further. The highest bulb yield (88.75 q/ha) was recorded when planting was done on 1st November. The lowest yield was obtained from 15th December (62.71 q/ha) planting. Higher plant density with 900 plants/plot spaced with 10 × 5 cm yielded 109.51 q/ha. The lowest yield (57.41 q/ha) was obtained with 300 plants/plot spaced with 20 × 7.5 cm. The bulb characters like bulb weight, number of cloves/bulb, size of clove were recorded to be the highest with early planting on 1st November with lower plant population of 300 plants/plot spaced with 20 × 7.5 cm.
TRACHEID AND PIT ANATOMY VARY IN TANDEM IN A TALL SEQUOIADENDRON GIGANTEUM TREE

Across land plants there is a general pattern of xylem conduit diameters widening towards the stem base thus reducing the accumulation of hydraulic resistance as plants grow taller.In conifers, xylem conduits consist of cells with closed end-walls and water must flow through bordered pits imbedded in the side walls. As a consequence both cell size, which determines the numbers of walls that the conductive stream of water must cross, as well as the characteristics of the pits themselves, crucially affect total hydraulic resistance. Because both conduit size and pit features influence hydraulic resistance in tandem, we hypothesized that features of both should vary predictably with one another. To test this prediction we sampled a single tall (94.8 m) Sequoiadendron giganteum tree (giant sequoia), collecting wood samples from the most recent annual ring progressively downwards from the tree top to the base. We measured tracheid diameter and length, number of pits per tracheid, and the areas of pit apertures, tori, and margos. Tracheid diameter widened from treetop to base following a power law with an exponent (tracheid diameterstem length slope) of approximately 0.20. A similar scaling exponent was found between tracheid length and distance from tree top. Additionally, pit aperture, torus, and margo areas all increased (again with a power of ~0.20) with distance from tree top, paralleling the observed variation in tracheid diameter and length. Pit density scaled isometrically with tracheid length. Within individual tracheids, total permeable area of pits, measured as the sum of the margo areas, scaled isometrically with lumen area. Given that pores of the margo membrane are believed to increase in parallel with membrane area, from a strictly anatomical perspective, our results support the interpretation that pit resistance remains a relatively constant fraction of total resistance along the hydraulic pathway.
Epidemiology of bacterial canker of kiwifruit, 3: The seasonal changes of bacterial population in lesions and of its exudation from lesion

清水市駒越,沼津市西浦においてヘイワードを供試し, 5～12月に,キウイフルーツ葉のかいよう病病斑内細菌密度および病斑浮遊液中に溢出する細菌の濃度の時期的変化を継続調査した。 分離前20日間の旬平均気温と細菌密度との関係をみると, 5月上旬(13～17°C)の106～7CFU/mlをピークに, 8月下旬(25～27°C)の100～1CFU/mlまで継続的に低下したが, 18°Cを越える頃(5月中旬～下旬)から低下が認められ始め, 6月上旬～7月上旬(20～24°C)に104～5CFU/mlから感染限界濃度の102～3CFU/mlまで急速に低下した。 秋季に, 22～20°C(9月下旬～10月上旬)に低下する過程で細菌密度は回復し始め, 17～15°C(10月下旬～11月上旬)に低下する時期に急速に高まり6月の細菌密度に近づいた。 その後さらに13～10°C(11月下旬～12月中旬)に低下した時期にも,引き続き高い細菌密度が保持された。 以上から,本細菌の新梢における増殖適温は,おおむね10～20°Cの範囲と推察された。 5月上旬には病斑浮遊液中に,浮遊直後から106～7CFU/mlの高濃度で細菌の溢出が起こったが, 6月上旬には104～5CFU/ml以下に低下し, 5月に比べ溢出に時間を要するようになった。 7～9月には溢出が認められなかったが,細菌密度に回復が認められた10月上旬の病斑では,再び溢出が認められた。 11～12月には溢出病斑率,溢出濃度ともに高まったが,溢出濃度は102～3CFU/ml以下であった。
Influence of the honeybee and trait similarity on the effect of a non‐native plant on pollination and network rewiring

Summary Introduced entomophilous non-native plants usually become well integrated into the diet of generalist pollinators. This integration can affect the entire recipient plant-pollinator network. Effects vary from facilitative to competitive, and understanding the factors that govern such variability is one of the fundamental goals in invasion ecology. Species traits determine the linking patterns between plant and pollinator species. Therefore, trait similarity among plants or among pollinators might modulate how they affect each other. We conducted a flower removal experiment to investigate the effects of the non-native entomophilous legume Hedysarum coronarium on the pollination patterns of a Mediterranean shrubland plant-pollinator network. Specifically, we explored whether effects were influenced by similarity with the resident plant species in flower morphology (papilionate vs. non-papilionate), and whether effects on the pollinator community were influenced by similarity in functional group with its main visitor species (bees vs. non-bees). In addition, we explored whether Hedysarum had an effect on the identity of interactions. For this purpose, we calculated the interaction rewiring; i.e., the number of plant-pollinator interactions that were gained or lost after invasion. Hedysarum was well integrated into the diet of 15 generalist pollinators having the honeybee as its main visitor species. Such integration did not affect visitation rates, normalized degree (i.e., proportion of pollinators they are visited by) and niche overlap (i.e., proportion of plant species they share pollinators with) of plants, irrespective of their flower morphology. Only the proportion of honeybee visits to resident plants decreased with invasion. On the other hand, Hedysarum reduced visitation rates and niche overlap of pollinators, mainly those of bee species. Finally, we observed that changes in the foraging behaviour of the honeybee were positively associated with the interaction rewiring involving the rest (92 taxa) of pollinators. In conclusion, pollinators show a plastic use of floral resources, responding to the presence of non-native plants. When the non-native attracts highly competitive pollinators such as the honeybee, plasticity is especially significant in pollinators that are functionally close to that competitive pollinator. The result is an interaction rewiring due to pollinators avoiding competition with the honeybee. Though this plasticity might not quantitatively affect the pollination of plants, consequences on their reproduction and the functioning of the network can derive from the interaction rewiring. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass Mixtures for Establishing Midwest Lawns

Mixtures of turfgrass seed are commonly used to establish lawns, with kentucky bluegrass (KBG) and perennial ryegrass (PRG) comprising two of the more commonly used species. In the humid regions of the Midwest United States, KBG is a desirable species, but slow germination makes it difﬁcult to establish compared with PRG. The objective of our study was to evaluate establishment rate and species composition over 3 years of a turf stand seeded with different ratios of KBG and PRG (wt:wt) maintained as a lawn. Repeat experiments were initiated in 2007 and 2008 and conducted for 3 years in West Lafayette, IN, with seed mixtures of KBG:PRG of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 50:50, and 0:100 wt:wt of pure live seed. Plots were seeded late August each year and percent turfgrass cover was rated up to 6 weeks after seeding (WAS). To evaluate stand composition after establishment, percent KBG cover was rated annually in August for 3 years using transect counts after selective removal of PRG with the herbicide chlorsulfuron. Likely as a result of greater crabgrass ( Digiaria sp.) competition during establishment in 2007, 100% PRG, 50:50, 70:30, or 80:20 KBG:PRG ratio had the highest percentage turf cover at 6 WAS, whereas there was no difference between treatments at 6 WAS in 2008 when crabgrass competition was lower. Regardless of turf cover during establishment, all treatments except 100% PRG shifted to greater than 95% KBG cover by 3
Adaptation and evaluation of the WEEDSIM weed management model for Michigan

The WEEDSIM bioeconomic model was developed in Minnesota and was designed to support weed management decisions for both soil-applied and postemergence weed control programs in Zea mays and Glycine max. In this research, we adapted the WEEDSIM weed management model to Michigan by modifying the crop yield loss functions and herbicide efficacy ratings. We then validated the components of the model and determined whether WEEDSIM led to more profitable weed management than recommendations from SOYHERB or CORNHERB, computer decision aids based solely on herbicide efficacy and cost. The crop year significantly influenced the weed-free yield in Z. mays and G. max, but the weed—crop interference function did not change each year. Total weed seed increased in the untreated compared with the weed-free control over the 3-yr period. Weed seed did not increase significantly in WEEDSIM preemergence/postemergence (PRE/POST), WEEDSIM postemergence, or CORNHERB or SOYHERB treatments compared with the weed-free control, although annual grass seedling density at the time of postemergence herbicide application had increased by 1995 in the WEEDSIM postemergence treatment in G. max because of a 2,4-D amine application only in Z. mays in 1994. WEEDSIM PRE/POST and CORNHERB provided excellent weed control in all three years, and WEEDSIM PRE/POST resulted in gross margins over weed control costs equal to or greater than CORNHERB recommendations. In G. max, Chenopodium album and annual grass control was excellent in all three years for WEEDSIM PRE/POST, WEEDSIM postemergence, and SOYHERB treatments. The highest average gross margin for the 3-yr study was from mechanical weed control in 76-cm-wide rows of G. max ($806 ha−1) and from SOYHERB in 38- and 19-cm-wide rows of G. max ($776 and $808 ha−1, respectively). WEEDSIM recommendations controlled weeds and maintained crop yield in both Z. mays and G. max.