Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agronomic efficacy of indigenous and exotic rock phosphates in soybean (Glycine max) in an acid soil

A field experiment was conducted during 1995 and 1996 to study agronomic efficacy of rock phosphates, North Carolina rock phosphate (NCRP), Udaipur rock phosphate (URP), and Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) as phos phorus source in an acidic silty clay loam soil at Palampur, with Bragg soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] as test cropand single superphosphate as standard. Direct application of rock phosphate 60 kg P20 ha resulted sig nificant increase in growth and yield attributes of soybean over the control. Combination of rock phosphate with FYM or single superphosphate (50:50) further enhanced the growth and yield and seed yield. The uptake of P and Ca as affected by different treatments followed the trend, similar to seed yield. Application of 60 kg P20,/ha through NCRP, URP and MRP along with 5 tonnes FYMlha recorded substantial increase in agronomic efficiency of rock phosphate. Comparing the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of different sources, the exotic source NCRP was superior.
Genetic Diversity in Brassica Cultivars under Deficiently Buffered P-Stress Environment: I. Biomass Accumulation, P-Concentration, P-Uptake, and Related Growth Parameters

Brassica is known as an effective, non-mycorrhizal user of sparingly soluble phosphorus (P) sources and its importance in edible oil production cannot be overemphasized. Global P reserves are being depleted, with half depletion predicted to occur between 2040 and 2060. More efficient utilization of inorganic phosphate (Pi) by plants is needed to extend the useful life of the world P-reserves, to reduce the cost of producing crops, and to improve the value of the end product. To investigate the genetic variations in P-acquisition from Jordon rock-P (RP), biomass accumulation, root-shoot ratio of dry matter yield, P- concentration and uptake and other related growth parameters, fourteen genetically diverse Brassica cultivars were grown in solution culture experiment conducted under climatically controlled growth chamber. Uniform sized pre-germinated seedlings were transplanted in solution containing NH4H2PO4 (AP) @ 200 µM P L -1 as an adequate (control) level and Jordon RP @ 2 g L -1 in a bid to maintain deficiently buffered P-stress environment. Tested cultivars showed substantial genetic variability in relation to biomass accumulation, P-acquisition, P-concentration, and P-uptake. P-stress markedly reduced shoot dry matter (SDM), root dry matter (RDM) and total dry matter (TDM) productions. Highly significant positive correlation was found between SDM, RDM, TDM and shoot P-uptake. Control of whole plant dry matter by plant P-contents under low P-starvation suggest an internal regulation in addition to influence excreted by exogenous P-supply. Efficient cultivars have potential for tolerating P-stress culture environments due to better rooting system, which provided basis for tolerance under P-starved environment. (The Journal of American Science. 2007;3(2):55-63). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Reduction of Acetylated α-Tubulin Immunoreactivity in Neurofibrillary Tangle-bearing Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease

A disturbance of the microtubule network in neurons containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), one of the characteristic neuropathological lesions in Alzheimer's disease, has been advocated as a central physiopathological mechanism leading to neuronal dysfunction in NFT-containing neurons. The accumulation of “paired helical filament-tau,” the main proteineous component of NFT, in affected neurons has been proposed to induce a decrease of microtubule stability in these cells. To further explore the hypothesis of a decrease in microtubule stability in Alzheimer's disease, we have investigated in this study the relative content in stable microtubules in neurons with different amount of NFT. We used a double immunocytochemical labeling technique with antibodies to tau (as a marker of NFT) and to acetylated α-tubulin (as a marker of stable microtubules) and rated on a semi-quantitative scale the tau and acetylated α-tubulin-immunoreactivities in the same neurons. We observed a strong reduction in acetylated α-tubulin immunoreactivity in most NFT-bearing neurons; a statistical relationship between tau and acetylated α-tubulin immunoreactivity was demonstrated, assuming an inverse relationship between the presence of tau-immunoreactive NFT and tubulin-immunoreactivity in neurons. This reduction was already seen in the neuronal population with a relatively lower tau-immunoreactivity, suggesting that reduction in acetylated α-tubulin immunoreactivity, and reduction in microtubule stability, could be an early event in these cells.
Some observations on the distribution and origin of nitrogen in sheep faeces

SUMMARY 1. Three methods, based on treatment with neutral detergent or acid detergent, or involving ultrasonic disintegration, are described and compared for the direct estimation of undigested dietary nitrogen in individual samples of sheep faeces. Estimates of the true digestibility of the nitrogen in several sheep diets derived from analyses performed with these methods agreed well with each other, and were in accord with published estimates, derived by extrapolation techniques. Two other methods, based on treatment with phenol–acetic acid–water, and lysozyme–trypsin, respectively, were found to be unsuitable for such estimates. 2. The quantitative distribution of nitrogen between undigested dietary residues, bacterial residues, endogenous debris residues and the water soluble fraction was determined chemically. It was concluded that 57–81% of the non-dietary faecal nitrogen was associated with bacterial material. 3. Indirect evidence suggested that most of the bacterial nitrogen in faeces originated in the rumen.
Morphology and life cycle of Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) on pine (Parnis Mt.) and fir (Helmos Mt.) forests of Greece

Abstract Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) is a scale insect, endemic in pine (Pinus halepensis) forests of Greece and other Mediterranean countries, which plays a major role in the production of honeydew honey. We investigated the morphological and the biological characteristics of M. hellenica in the pine forests of Mt. Parnis in comparison with those in the high-altitude fir (Abies cephalonica) forest of Mt. Helmos where it has been recently established, after anthropogenic intervention. Morphologically, the final body size of the 1st instar and the adult stages of M. hellenica in the fir forest were equal to those in the pine forest. Biologically, in the fir forest, the insect exhibited a long 1st instar’s period, which was the stage of its overwintering. In the pine forest, the 1st instar period was short and the insect overwinters in the stage of 2nd instar. The number of eggs per female in the fir forest was quite low (25–145) compared with the number of eggs in the pine forest (200–300). Concerning the qualitative parameters of the resulting honeydew-honey, statistically significant differences were found in Diastase and HMF (p < 0.0001). No difference was found in sucrose, fructose + glucose and water content, neither to electrical conductivity and total acidity. All values were within the EU limits (EU Directive 2001).
Determination of true digestible amino acids of feedstuffs utilizing cecectomized roosters

The objective of this study was to estimate the true digestibility coefficients of amino acids and digestible amino acid values of some poultry feedstuffs. The feedstuffs were: babassu meal, sunflower meal, corn gluten meal, babassu starchy meal, meat and bone meal, common beans, pearl millet and residues of cookies, pasta and bread. The precise feeding method of Sibbald was used with adult cecectomized Leghorn roosters distributed in a completely randomized design, consisting of ten treatments and six replications with a rooster in each. The treatments were represented by the feedstuffs evaluated. The roosters were kept in a period of fasting for 36 hours and then fed 30 grams of feed. Samples were collected during 56 hours. Simultaneously, six roosters were kept fasting to make corrections to the metabolic and endogenous losses of amino acids. At the end of collections, the excreta obtained were weighed, freeze-dried and subsequently processed, so laboratory analyses were carried out and the coefficients of true digestibility of amino acids were determined. The mean values of the coefficients of true digestibility of essential and non-essential amino acids in percentage were respectively: 0.702 and 0.652 for the babassu meal; 0.852 and 0.786 for the sunflower meal; 0.928 and 0.887 for the corn gluten meal; 0.797 and 0.720 for the meat and bone meal; 0.364 and 0.339 for ground raw beans; 0.924 and 0.837 for ground pearl millet; 0.839 and 0.810 for cookie residue; 0.929 and 0.914 for pasta residue; and 0.904 and 0.899 for bread residue.
MULTIGENE ANALYSES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC EUGLENOIDS AND NEW FAMILY, PHACACEAE (EUGLENALES) 1

Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood (ML) analyses of the combined multigene data (nuclear SSU rDNA, and plastid SSU and LSU rDNA) were conducted to evaluate the phylogeny of photosynthetic euglenoids. The combined data set consisted of 108 strains of photosynthetic euglenoids including a colorless sister taxon. Bayesian and ML analyses recovered trees of almost identical topology. The results indicated that photosynthetic euglenoids were divided into two major clades, the Euglenaceae clade (Euglena, Euglenaria, Trachelomonas, Strombomonas, Monomorphina, Cryptoglena, Colacium) and the Phacaceae clade (Phacus, Lepocinclis, Discoplastis). The Euglenaceae clade was monophyletic with high support and subdivided into four main clades: the Colacium, the Strombomonas and Trachelomonas, the Cryptoglena and Monomorphina, and the Euglena and Euglenaria clades. The genus Colacium was positioned at the base of the Euglenaceae and was well supported as a monophyletic lineage. The loricate genera (Strombomonas and Trachelomonas) were located at the middle of the Euglenaceae clade and formed a robust monophyletic lineage. The genera Cryptoglena and Monomorphina also formed a well‐supported monophyletic clade. Euglena and the recently erected genus Euglenaria emerged as sister groups. However, Euglena proxima branched off at the base of the Euglenaceae. The Phacaceae clade was also a monophyletic group with high support values and subdivided into three clades, the Discoplastis, Phacus, and Lepocinclis clades. The genus Discoplastis branched first, and then Phacus and Lepocinclis emerged as sister groups. These genera shared a common characteristic, numerous small discoid chloroplasts without pyrenoids. These results clearly separated the Phacaceae clade from the Euglenaceae clade. Therefore, we propose to limit the family Euglenaceae to the members of the Euglena clade and erect a new family, the Phacaceae, to house the genera Phacus, Lepocinclis, and Discoplastis.
Molecular Characterization of Monochloroacetate-Degrading Arthrobacter sp. Strain D2 Isolated from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Agricultural Area

ABSTRACT Arthrobacter sp. strains D2 and D3 and Labrys sp. strain D1 capable of degrading 20 mM monochloroacetic acid (MCA) were isolated from soil contaminated with herbicides and pesticides. All three isolates were able to grow on MCA as the sole source of carbon and energy with concomitant chloride ion release in the growth medium (19 mM). Strains D2 and D3 (cells doubling time 7 ± 0.3 h) grew four times faster than D1 (26 ± 0.1 h). Strain D2 was then further investigated and could also grow in 10 mM of monobromoacetic acid (MBA), 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (2,2DCP), d,l-2-chloropropionic acid (D,L2CP), l-2-chloropropionic acid (L-2CP), d-2-chloropropionic acid (D-2CP), and glycolate as the sole sources of carbon and energy. Dehalogenase gene amplification using group I primers revealed a 410-bp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product, but there was none using group II primers. The partial amino acid sequence analysis of group I DehD2 dehalogenase showed at least 32% identity to the corresponding regions of DehE, DhlIV, DehI, and D,L-DEX, with key amino acid residues Ser188, Ala187, and Asp189. These amino acid residues were involved in substrate binding and catalysis and were conserved in the partial amino acid sequence.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depression: Clinical, Economic, and Practical Issues Part II

clinical and economic burden of major depression; the compounding issue of treatment resistance; and cost analyses comparing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with standard clinical care (e.g., complex pharmacotherapy, electrconvulsive therapy [ECT]) for treatmentresistant depression (TRD). Part II reviews practical issues in the clinical use of TMS, which have emerged since its approval by the FDA for this indication.
Apostasy and selection for crypsis in the marine snail Littoraria filosa: an explanation for a balanced colour polymorphism

The marine snail, Littoraria filosa, is polymorphic for shell colour, with yellow, brown, and pink morphs that correspond in both appearance and frequency to the predominant background colours of its habitat. Previous research on this polymorphism has found indirect evidence of apostatic selection and selection for crypsis by unknown agents, probably crabs, and direct evidence of selection for crypsis by the parasitoid fly Sarcophaga megafilosia. In the present study, we report on field experiments to investigate whether S. megafilosia and shell-crushing predators exert apostatic selection on L. filosa. For S. megafilosia, seven experimental treatments containing yellow and brown snails in the proportions of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 0.9 of each colour were established on mangrove trees and used to separately quantify the proportions of each colour attacked on grey/brown trunks and yellow/green leaves. The results obtained confirmed an earlier finding of selection for crypsis, but only showed slight, but significant, anti-apostatic selection by S. megafilosia. For shell-crushing predators, seven experimental treatments containing yellow and brown snails in the proportions of 0.08, 0.17, 0.33, 0.50, 0.66, 0.83, and 0.92 were established on two types of trees that differed in their background proportions of brown and green: (1) trees which had been pruned of approximately 90% of their foliage and (2) unpruned trees. The results obtained showed both selection for crypsis and apostatic selection. Furthermore, a selectively neutral frequency for yellow L. filosa was found for each background, and was less on pruned trees than unpruned ones (and vice versa for brown L. filosa), which can therefore account for the maintenance of a colour polymorphism where the proportions of each morph tend to resemble and correspond in frequency to the colours of the background. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95, 62–71.
Bacterial metabolism in small temperate streams under contemporary and future climates

Summary 1. We examined the detailed temperature dependence (0–40 °C) of bacterial metabolism associated with fine sediment particles from three Danish lowland streams to test if temperature dependence varied between sites, seasons and quality of organic matter and to evaluate possible consequences of global warming. 2. A modified Arrhenius model with reversible denaturation at high temperatures could account for the temperature dependence of bacterial metabolism and the beginning of saturation above 35 °C and it was superior to the unmodified Arrhenius model. Both models overestimated respiration rates at very low temperatures (<5 °C), whereas Ratkowsky's model – the square root of respiration – provided an excellent linear fit between 0 and 30 °C. 3. There were no indications of differences in temperature dependence among samples dominated by slowly or easily degradable organic substrates. Optimum temperature, apparent minimum temperature, Q10-values for 0–40 °C and activation energies of bacterial respiration were independent of season, stream site and degradability of organic matter. 4. Q10-values of bacterial respiration declined significantly with temperature (e.g. 3.31 for 5–15 °C and 1.43 for 25–35 °C) and were independent of site and season. Q10-values of bacterial production behaved similarly, but were significantly lower than Q10-values of respiration implying that bacterial growth efficiency declined with temperature. 5. A regional warming scenario for 2071–2100 (IPCC A2) predicted that mean annual temperatures will increase by 3.5 °C in the air and 2.2–4.3 °C in the streams compared with the control scenario for 1961–1990. Temperature is expected to rise more in cool groundwater-fed forest springs than in open, summer-warm streams. Mean annual bacterial respiration is estimated to increase by 26–63% and production by 18–41% among streams assuming that established metabolism–temperature relationships and organic substrate availability remain the same. To improve predictions of future ecosystem behaviour, we further require coupled models of temperature, hydrology, organic production and decomposition.
Complementary population dynamics of exotic and native Daphnia in North American reservoir communities

During its invasion of North America, the exotic Daphnia lumholtzi has rap- idly colonized numerous reservoirs, natural lakes, and large rivers. In the current study, we examine the overlap between D. lumholtzi and native Daphnia species through analysis of two data sets: co-occurrence in reservoirs of the south-central United States and population dynamics in one reservoir. In 171 reservoirs and oxbow lakes, D. lumholtzi was among the most prevalent species and its distribution was independent of other Daphnia species. Over a 28-month period in Stockton Lake, Mis- souri, D. lumholtzi was abundant only in late summer, a period when the epilimnion was warm (25 - 30 uC) and cyanobacteria were common. Native Daphnia (D. mendo- tae, D. parvula, and D. retrocurva) complemented this pattern, being generally rare in summer and most abundant during winter and spring. Peak densities and average fecundities of native Daphnia during the cooler months were typically greater than densities and fecundities of D. lumholtzi in summer. The complementary population dynamics between native and exotic species may be significant for the food webs in warm reservoirs, with D. lumholtzi providing another food resource when the abun- dance of large zooplankton is ordinarily low.
Effect of Food Resources on Adult Glyptapanteles militaris and Meteorus communis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Parasitoids of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Adult parasitoids frequently require access to food and adequate microclimates to maximize host location and parasitization. Realized levels of parasitism in the field can be significantly influenced by the quantity and distribution of extra-host resources. Previous studies have demonstrated a significant effect of landscape structure on parasitism of the armyworm Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). As a possible mechanism underlying this pattern, we investigated the effect of carbohydrate food sources on the longevity and fecundity of armyworm parasitoids under laboratory conditions of varying temperature, host availability, and mating status. Glyptapanteles militaris (Walsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) adults lived significantly longer when provided with honey as food and when reared at 20°C versus 25°C. Meteorus communis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) adults also lived significantly longer when provided with honey, although longevity was reduced when females were provided hosts. Honey-fed females of M. communis parasitized significantly more hosts because of their increased longevity, but did not differ in daily oviposition from females provided only water. Mating significantly increased parasitism by honey-fed M. communis, but not those provided water alone. These results indicate that the presence of both carbohydrate resources and moderated microclimates may significantly increase the life span and parasitism of these parasitoids. However, the greater longevity and lower daily rate of oviposition of M. communis suggest that food and microclimate resources are more critical for this species than for the shorter lived, gregarious G. militaris. These findings contribute to our understanding of how these two parasitoids respond to landscape complexity.
The expression of photosynthetic traits during and following severe chilling stress of European and tropical maize genotypes

Four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.), one from North-West Europe, two from tropical highlands and one from tropical lowlands were grown at 24°C until full expansion of the second leaf. Seedlings were then subjected to 2 days at 5°C, with or without a previous conditioning phase at 10°C for 4 days. After stress plants were allowed to recover at 24°C for 5 days. Previous conditioning protected the tropical lowland variety to some extent against losses in chlorophyll content and ribulose I,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity by severe chilling stress. Without conditioning heavy losses occurred during the recovery phase. In all other genotypes the values of these traits decreased more with than without conditioning. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) activity was little affected during stress, but declined considerably during the recovery phase, with the exception of the North-West European genotype. Previous conditioning prevented or retarded losses of NADP+ malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82) activity during the stress phase. However, at the end of the recovery phase losses were as high with as without conditioning, and activity was very low in one tropical highland genotype and in the tropical lowland genotype. In summary, the chilling stability of photosynthetic traits was better in the North-West European genotype than in the tropical ones.
CONTINUOUS‐FLOW MICROWAVE INACTIVATION KINETICS OF PECTIN METHYL ESTERASE IN ORANGE JUICE

The use of microwave energy as an alternative to conventional continuous-flow pasteurization of orange juice was explored. One advantage of microwave heating is obvious: it can prevent surface fouling of heat exchanger, due to prevailing higher surface temperature. Microwave heating may also have the potential for intensified enzyme inactivation which is explored in this study. To elucidate conditions suitable for continuous pasteurization of orange juice, a microwave heating system was designed using a domestic microwave oven (700W) under a full power operation. The residence time of the juice in the heating coil in the microwave oven was dependent on the juice flow rate and dimensions of the heating tube. Based on time-temperature profile and predetermined enzyme inactivation kinetics, the effectiveness of microwave heating (come-up) was evaluated. The PME decimal reduction time for microwave heating were ∼38, 12, 4.0 and 1.3 s at 55, 60, 65 and 70C, respectively, as compared with ∼150 and 37s at 60 and 70C under conventional heating, respectively. Microwave heating is, therefore, substantially more effective in inactivating PME in orange juice than conventional method.