Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pholiderpeton scutigerum Huxley, an Amphibian from the Yorkshire Coal Measures

Pholiderpeton scutigerum is an eogyrinid amphibian from the Coal Measures of Yorkshire (Westphalian A). The holotype has been prepared by airbrasive and dental-mallet techniques to reveal the most completely preserved of British embolomeres. The skull and braincase morphology of Pholiderpeton is closely similar to that of Eogyrinus but has provided new information about many of the skull roofing bones and palate, in particular the pterygoid-epipterygoid complex. The braincase has augmented information gained from other embolomere specimens and a new reconstruction has been attempted. A supraoccipital was not present but the otic capsule was roofed dorsally by the opisthotics, as in loxommatids. Study of jaw function in Pholiderpeton suggests that it did not conform to a pure ‘kinetic inertial’ system but that it was essentially unspecialized. The so-called ‘kinetic line’ at the junction of the eogyrinid skull table and cheek was not mobile but was probably a butt joint to resist vertical compression generated during jaw closure. Present on the specimen, and previously undescribed in eogyrinids, were elements of the cervical region, including the atlas neural arch and pleurocentrum, the axis neural arch and rib as well as the pectoral girdle and forelimb, allowing reconstruction of these regions to be made. The eogyrinids resemble Archeria in the structure of pectoral limb and girdle. Forelimb function in Pholiderpeton was more flexible than that proposed for the related Proterogyrinus . The evidence suggests that the eogyrinids, like the archeriids, were long-bodied with a presacral count of 40. The cervical region of embolomeres shows some similarities with that of Proterogyrinus but with a more fully ossified atlas pleurocentrum. The atlas vertebra is also compared with that of Archeria , previously undescribed. A study of the skull table in the genus Archeria is included to assist in taxonomic studies of eogyrinids. A number of consistent characters were found to exist in this region within one species of embolomere. The genus Pholiderpeton Huxley (1869) is shown to be synonymous with Eogyrinus Watson (1926) and therefore takes nomenclatural priority, but it may be distinguished from the related Palaeoherpeton on a number of characters. The isolated skull table pertaining to Pteroplax is not that of an eogyrinid, and is removed from the family. It shows resemblances to Archeria and Proterogyrinus . The North American eogyrinids are retained within the family Eogyrinidae. The family Eogyrinidae is most closely related to the monogeneric family Anthracosauridae, and together these two form the sister-group of the Archeriidae. The Proterogyrinidae is the sister-group of all three, and together these families form the group Embolomeri. A cladogram to express these relationships is presented.
The colony structure and social organization of the giant Zambian mole-rat, Cryptomys mechowi

Cryptomys mechowi is a social subterranean mole-rat which inhabits the mesic regions of south-eastern and central Africa. Giant mole-rats live in colonies of up to 11 animals in which reproduction is normally restricted to the largest male and female in the colony. In this preliminary study on a laboratory-reared colony, the non-reproductive members of the colony could not be placed into clearly defined, work-related groups based on body mass. The colony showed a work frequency related division of labour. Reproductive animals performed little work, 3-4% of the total work. The non-reproductive caste was divided into two groups based on the amount of burrow maintenance activity: those performing between 7-11% of total work and those ranging from 15-22% of total work. Male members of the colony tended to perform more work than the females. The dominance hierarchy of the colony was found to be nearly linear, with a value of 0.83 calculated from Landau's linearity index. The reproductive animals were the most dominant in their respective gender. Dominance was not age-related. However, non-reproductive males tended to be more dominant than non-reproductive females. Social organization within the giant Zambian mole-rat is compared with other southern African Cryptomys species in the light of the eusociality continuum.
Desenvolvimento do maracujá doce em Viçosa, Minas Gerais

The physical, chemical and physiological changes during the development of sweet passion fruit, from anthesis to ripening in the plant, were evaluated. Fruits had a slightly oblong shape, a simple sigmoidal pattern of development and climacteric pattern for respiration. Fruit development was divided into three phases: cell division up to 4.70 days after anthesis (daa); cell expansion from 4.70 daa to 28.94 daa and maturation from 28.94 to 91 daa. In the cell division phase, there is little increase in fruit size, high respiratory rates, rapid growth of the pericarp thickness, and pericarp of clear green color. In the cell expansion phase, there is intense development of the fruit's dimensions, accelerated fresh weight gain and pericarp of intense green color . In the maturation phase, there is a tendency to stabilize dimensions, rapid development of pulp, the soluble solids content increase and vitamin C and titratable acidity decrease. The climacteric peak was recorded at 63 daa. On the last day of evaluation, at 91 daa, the pulp (juice + seeds) accounted for 24.46% of total fresh weight of the fruit, the pericarp accounted for 74.10% and isolated seeds for 3.14%.
Fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability and ruminal degradation of ensiled pea/wheat bi‐crop forages treated with two microbial inoculants, formic acid or quebracho tannins

Salawu, M. B. , Warren, E. H. , Adesogan, A. T. (2001). Fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability and ruminal degradation of ensiled pea/wheat bi-crop forages treated with two microbial inoculants, formic acid or quebracho tannins. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 81, (13), 1263-1268.
Effects of aluminum on organic acid, sugar and amino acid composition of the root system of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Abstract The effects of aluminum on the accumulation of sugars, amino acids and organic acids in two hybrid cultivars of sorghum were studied. The concentration of these organic compounds increased in the roots of the Al‐treated plants, mainly in the tolerant cultivar. The composition of the organic acid fraction showed a significantly higher accumulation of trans‐aconitate and malate in the tolerant cultivar as compared with the sensitive one. The higher levels of these acids in the Al‐treated plants could be interpreted as being indicative of a chelating detoxifying mechanism of aluminum in these plants.
Molecular characterization of fungal endophytes from Calotropis procera plants in Taif region (Saudi Arabia) and their antifungal activities

Fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves of Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) collected from Taif region (Saudi Arabia). Thirty-three different taxa were recovered. The overall foliar colonization rate was 35.1%. A total of 161 isolates were obtained and identified into 33 distinct operational taxonomic units based on the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rRNA gene. The most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus flavus, Chaetomium globosum, Cochliobolus lunatus, Fusarium dimerum, F. oxysporum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. A total of 161 isolates were tested for antifungal activities against four plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, and Pythium ultimum), of which 33 isolates showed antifungal activity against at least one plant pathogenic fungi. Four isolates of Chaetomium globosum and three isolates of Myrothecium verrucaria showed the strongest antifungal activity. This study reported the occurrence of a much wider spectrum of fungi, when compared with previous work. Also, it confirmed the variation of different isolates from the same species in terms of antifungal activity.
Occurrence of tropical affinity fish in Galician waters, north-west Spain

Four new fish species have been recorded for the first time in the last few years in Galician waters: Physiculus dalwigkii, Neoscopelus microchir, Gaidropsarus granti and Pisodonophis semicinctus. The captures of Physiculus dalwigki, N. microchir and G. granti represent a new northern limit for their distribution in the north-east Atlantic, increasing their geographical range of distribution considerably while the capture of Pisodonophis semicinctus is the second record for the Atlantic European waters.
Effects of nitrogen application on corn yield after harvesting the apical ear as baby corn

Removal of the first female inflorescence in corn induces the plant to produce new inflorescences, which allows the first ear to be harvested as baby corn and the second to be harvested as green or mature ear (dry corn). The objective of this study was to compare the following production systems fertilized with nitrogen levels (0, 80, and 160 kg ha-1), applied to corn hybrid AG 1051: baby corn harvesting (BC); green ear harvesting (GC); mature ear harvesting (DC); and harvesting of the first female inflorescence as baby corn + harvesting the other ears as green corn (BC + GC) or as dry corn (BC + DC). A randomized complete block design with split-plots (nitrogen in plots) and nine replicates was used. The BC system provided higher baby corn yields than the BC + GC or the BC + DC systems. For all traits employed to evaluate green corn yield, the GC system provided higher yields than the BC + GC system. The BC + DC system provided lower grain yield than the DC system. The application of nitrogen provided increases in all traits evaluated, except for number of kernels ear-1 and 100-kernel weight. The revenue (total and additional total) and additional profit values, in descending order, were obtained with the BC, BC + GC, BC + DC, GC, and DC systems, for all nitrogen levels. The values for those measurements increased as nitrogen dose increased. At the dose of 80 kg N ha-1, the highest profitability index (percentage of additional revenue that is converted into additional profit) was obtained from DC sales. However, with the application of the highest nitrogen rate, the highest profitability was obtained from BC sales.
An altitudinal transect in rain forest in the Barrington Tops area, New South Wales

On the southern slopes of Barrington Tops, N.S. W. , an exploratory study was made of altitudinal gradation between subantarctic or temperate rain forest (at higher elevations) and subtropical rain forest. The former is dominated by Nothofagus moorei while the latter has no clear dominants and is floristically and structurally more complex. To sample the ecotone, a single 800 m line containing thirty-seven 200 m2 circular plots was placed on a S.S. W. -facing slope between altitudes of 800 and 1040 m. The inclinations of the surfaces of individual plots ranged from 5° to 35°. Measurement and analysis were restricted to trees (including coppices), vines and tree ferns, with emphasis on density, basal area and importance values. Vertical extent of the ecotone is determined rather arbitrarily as being about 90 m. Floristically, the ecotone has elements both of a mosaic and of a gradual mix of species of the upper and lower rain forests. Its areal complexity is increased by the presence of small-scale topographic features; the typical step-and-terrace sequence resulting from dissection of multiple basalt flows. There is a gradual dropping out of species of the subtropical rain forest upwards along the whole transect. The rate of drop-out is greatest at the bases of any steep steps on the slope. Certain species, notably Doryphora sassafras, are shared by the two kinds of rain forest. In physiognomy too, there is further evidence for continuity: the size and density of vines as well as leaf sizes of trees and vines decrease gradually upwards. In terms of Webb's system of structural types of Australian rain forest there is sustained gradation from notophyll-microphyll vinefern forest (at the bottom) to microphyll fern forest. There is strong evidence that Nothofagus moorei is not regenerating within most of the ecotone. Speculation is offered about ecotonal dynamics in terms of climatic change, fire frequency and the mode of reproduction of N. moorei.
Breeding bird response to pine-grassland community restoration for red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Plans exist to restore the fire-dependent pine (Pinus spp.)-grassland community in Ouachita National Forest and potentially throughout the southeastern United States to benefit the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Restoration and management techniques include wildlife stand improvement (WSI; thinning of midstory and codominant trees) and prescribed fire. We evaluated how habitat improvement for the red-cockaded woodpecker affected other breeding bird species. We compared avian species frequency of occurrence and abundance during 2 breeding seasons in untreated pine-hardwood stands with that in treated stands after WSI and in 3 growing seasons following WSI and prescribed fire. Total bird densities were highest (P = 0.037) in the second growing season following WSI and fire and lowest in the control, whereas species richness did not differ (P = 0.399) among treatments. Densities of ground/ shrub-foraging and shrub-nesting species increased (P = 0.002 and 0.002, respectively) the most following WSI and fire. Only ground-nesting species were more abundant (P < 0.001) in untreated stands than in treated stands. Restoration efforts may be beneficial to neotropical migrant species such as eastern woodpewee (Contopus virens) and prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), in addition to declining species of regional interest such as red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) that depend upon pine-grassland habitats
Skin Color Characterization in Rainbow Trout by Use of Computer-Based Image Analysis

Abstract Back, flank (reddish band along the lateral line and below the lateral line), and belly regions of cultured rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were characterized in terms of skin coloration, spottiness, and darkness by using computer-based image analysis as an approach to separate fish into desirable back color categories for market and export. Three highly represented colors were observed on the back (mean ± SE percentage of area covered by the given color): blue or sky-blue, 18.0 ± 1.8%; yellow, 13.4 ± 1.5%; and green, 66.1 ± 2.0%. Individuals with a high frequency of these colors on the back (at least 50% of area covered by a given color) were reclassified into groups exhibiting a yellowish back color (YB), a bluish back color (BB), or a greenish back color (GB) to determine whether the BB group presented differences in various skin color variables when compared with the other back color groups; an undefined back color (UB) group (fish for which all colors had less than 50% coverage) was also u.
Preliminary check-list of Cymothoids (Crustacea: Isopoda) parasitic on marine fishes from Lebanon

Abstract This article provides the first annotated list of the cymothoid fauna (Crustacea: Isopoda) from Lebanon. Three genera (Anilocra, Nerocila and Ceratothoa ) are represented by seven species. The specimens correspond to: (1) species already known and reported from different parts of the Mediterranean Sea (Anilocra physodes, Nerocila bivittata, Ceratothoa italica, C. oestroides, C. oxyrrhynchaena), especially from the western basin; (2) two specimens belonging to a new species or a Mediterranean form of Ceratothoa collaris, a common species along the North-Western coasts of Africa; and finally (3) other specimens suggesting the presence of a new species belonging to the genus Nerocila.
Flowering range changes across an elevation gradient in response to warming summer temperatures

Many studies have demonstrated plant response to warming temperatures, both as advancement in the timing of phenological events and in range shifts. Mountain gradients are ideal laboratories for studying species range changes. In this study of 363 plant species in bloom collected in five segments across a 1200 m (4158 ft) elevation gradient, we look for changes in species flowering ranges over a 20‐year period. Ninety‐three species (25.6%) exhibited a significant change in the elevation at which they flowered from the first half to the second half of the record, with many of these changes occurring at higher elevations. Most of the species exhibiting the changes were perennial plants. Interestingly, though many changes in flowering range were specific to higher elevations, range changes occurred all across the gradient. The changes reported in this study are concurrent with significant increases in summer temperatures across the region and are consistent with observed changes around the globe.
Two species of Caligus (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasitic on black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) cultured in Taiwan.

Two species of parasitic copepods are described based on the materials obtained from the pondcultured black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) in Tainan County, Taiwan. They are : Caligus acanthopagri n. sp. found on the host's body surface and Caligus multispinosus on the host's gills and in the gill cavities. The new species is very close to Caligus latigenitalis but can be distinguished from it by the fine structures on the exopod of leg 4. This study shows that Caligus dieuzeidei reported by Shiino in 1954 from Sparus macrocephalus (=Acanthopagrus schlegeli) was a misidentification for C. latigenitalis.
Yield and bread-making quality of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown in Western Turkey

For Western Turkey (Aegean region) there is a lack of knowledge about the quality potentials of wheat varieties commonly grown in the area. In a field trial we monitored yield, grain quality and rheological properties of 18 wheat genotypes and computed a baking quality index (BQI) to facilitate the detection of high quality varieties. Grain yield ranged from 4047–6406 kg ha−1 in 2004 and from 5167–8099 kg ha−1 in 2005. Crude protein content and farinograph quality number ranged from 8.4% and 27 mm to 14.0% and 135 mm in 2004 and from 9.4% and 33 mm to 13.1% and 98 mm in 2005, respectively. Lines PFAU/WEAVER and CHILERO, such as varieties Golia and Gönen exhibit particularly high Gluten-index values (>80%) that caused favourable rheological properties with farinograph quality numbers of more than 80 mm. The genotypes differed markedly in yield and quality parameters which highlights the need to choose appropriate genotypes for production of high quality wheat in Western Turkey. A close correlation between BQI and farinograph quality number indicates that BQI can be a more valuable tool for detecting genotypes with high bread-making quality, than single quality parameters.
Xanthomonas arboricola pv. fragariae: what's in a name?

Polyphasic analysis exposed important heterogeneity between bacterial strains catalogued as Xanthomonas arboricola pv. fragariae (Xaf) from different culture collections. Two draft whole-genome sequences revealed pathogenicity related genes of the type-three secretion system in strain LMG 19146, whereas none were found in the Xaf pathotype strain LMG 19145. Also, considerable sequence divergence was observed in the phylogenetic marker genes gyrB, rpoD, dnaK and fyuA. Further study of 16 Xaf culture-collection strains showed that co-classification is not justified. Partial 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequencing demonstrated that 12 strains belonged to X. arboricola, but that they did not form one homogeneous group within the species. The four remaining strains were identified as Xanthomonas fragariae and Xanthomonas sp. All sequence-based identifications were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS fingerprinting. Also, the pathogenicity genes hrcQ and avrBs2 were detected in only three of the 12 analysed X. arboricola strains. The X. arboricola and Xanthomonas sp. strains showed pectolytic activity, and upon inoculation in strawberry none of the strains reproduced the leaf blight symptoms reported for Xaf. This study demonstrates that (i) no clear criteria exist for the identification of strains as Xaf, (ii) the name Xaf is currently used for a genetically diverse assortment of strains, and (iii) the species X. arboricola holds many undetermined plant-associated bacteria besides the described pathovars.
Quantifying woodland structure and habitat quality for birds using airborne laser scanning

Summary 1Vegetation height across a 157-ha deciduous woodland was estimated using an airborne remote-sensing technique, airborne laser scanning (ALS), and the data obtained were used to produce a three-dimensional map of the canopy surface of the entire wood. 2Field-based estimates of a tree canopy density index were compared with mean vegetation height calculated from the ALS data for sample areas of 54 × 54 m2 centred on each of 36 nestboxes within the wood. Canopy density index increased with mean vegetation height, such that height explained 86% of the variation in the density index. Thus remote-sensed height could be used as a surrogate for the field-based estimates. 3Mean chick masses (mass being used as a measure of habitat quality) for Great Tits (Parus major L.) and Blue Tits (P. caeruleus L.) using the boxes were also examined in relation to the ALS mean vegetation height for the same sample areas. 4For Blue Tits, mean chick mass at 11 days of age increased with vegetation height around the nestbox, but for Great Tits, the relationship was negative. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed, but the results should be treated with caution because sample sizes were small. 5The application of ALS in woodland ecology is discussed.
Effect of Defatted Soybean and Soybean Isolate Fortification on the Nutritional, Physical, Chemical and Sensory Properties of Wheat Flour Tortillas

Wheat flour fortified with 11.1% defatted soybean meal (SBM) or 5.6% soybean isolate (SBI) was processed into flour tortillas. Fortified tortillas contained 35% more protein and twice as much lysine as the 100% wheat flour tortilla. Addition of SBM or SBI decreased dough elasticity but increased dough water absorption and the force required to stretch the dough. The SBM fortified tortilla had better texture (P 0.05). Rats fed fortified tortillas gained three times as much weight and doubled the protein efficiency ratio (PER) when compared to rats fed wheat flour tortillas. The apparent biological and net protein utilization values of the fortified tortillas were similar (P > 0.05) and higher (P < 0.05) than the wheat flour tortilla. The SBI fortified tortilla had a higher apparent protein digestibility (P < 0.05) than the 100% wheat flour and SBM fortified tortillas.