Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ROOT PRUNING OF NURSERY STOCK

In the fall of 1958, an experiment was begun at Midhurst Nursery to study the effects of root pruning at different stages of growth and at two depths, on 3-0 stock of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and white pine (Pinus strobus L.). Root pruning was done by undercutting broadcast-sown seedbeds at two inch and four inch depths; in the fall as 2-0 (Sept. 16, 1958), in the spring at start of growth (April 30, 1959), during flush of growth (May 28, 1959) and towards end of terminal growth (June 25,1959). Seedbed counts were taken before lifting, in fall 1959, to study mortality. Random samples were taken on date of lifting (Sept. 17, 1959), for laboratory measurements to study effects on seedlings size. Other random samples were planted in experimental designs at Larose Forest. Counts of survival, and measurements of terminal growth were taken at the first, third and fifth year after planting.Results showed no mortality in the nursery but that all root pruning reduced height growth. Root pruning of .
Rações orgânicas suplementadas com farinha de resíduos de peixe para juvenis da tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a inclusao da farinha de residuo da industria de filetagem de peixes em racoes orgânicas para tilapias do Nilo (O. niloticus) na fase de crescimento, sobre o desempenho zootecnico (ganho de peso, conversao alimentar e sobrevivencia), caracteristicas de carcaca (rendimento de carcaca, tronco limpo, file, gordura visceral, e indice hepatossomatico) e composicao quimica (umidade, proteina bruta, materia mineral e extrato etereo) dos peixes. Utilizaram-se 440 tilapias com media inicial de 84,11 ± 11,56 g de peso e 16,7 ± 0,80 cm de comprimento distribuidas em 20 tanques de 8 m3, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repeticoes. Foram elaboradas cinco racoes com niveis de 0; 4; 8; 12 e 16% de inclusao de farinha de residuos com 28% de proteina digestivel e 3.100 kcal kg-1 de energia digestivel. Houve aumento linear nas medias de ganho de peso e reducao linear na conversao alimentar com a inclusao da farinha. Nao foram observadas diferencas significativas (P > 0,05) nos parametros de rendimento corporal, na umidade e proteina bruta dos files, porem, a materia mineral e o extrato etereo apresentaram diferencas (P < 0,05) entre os tratamentos. A inclusao de 16% de farinha de residuos da filetagem de peixes em racoes formuladas com ingredientes certificados de origem orgânica melhora o desempenho zootecnico, nao compromete o rendimento corporal, porem, altera os parâmetros de materia mineral e extrato etereo da tilapia na fase de crescimento.
Correlation and Path Analysis between Seed Yield and some Weed and Quantitative Components in Two Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties as influenced by Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer

treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Seed and nitrogen rates were assigned to the main plot, while crop variety was assigned to the sub plot. Seed yield correlated positively and significantly with plant height, branches per plant, leaves per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule and 1000 - seed weight; and seeds per capsule contributed more to seed yield compared with other growth and yield characters measured. Path analysis revealed that greatest direct effect and individual factor contribution to seed yield was made by number of seeds per capsule. The highest indirect effect to seed yield was made by number of seeds per capsule through 1000 – seed weight; and highest combined contribution was by number of seeds per capsule through number of branches per plant. From this study it was observed that seeds per capsule made the most contribution to seed yield and should therefore be used as a selection index for sesame improvement.
Hydrological connectivity structures concordant plant and animal assemblages according to niche rather than dispersal processes

1. Understanding the processes that structure community assembly across landscapes is fundamental to ecology and for predicting and managing the consequences of anthropogenically induced changes to ecosystems. 2. We assessed the community similarity of fish, macroinvertebrate and vegetation communities against geographic distances ranging from 4 to 480 km (i.e. distance–decay relationships) to determine the balance between local environmental factors and regional dispersal processes, and thus whether species-sorting (niche processes) or dispersal limitation (neutral processes) was more important in structuring these assemblages in Australia’s wet-dry tropics. We investigated whether the balance between niche and dispersal processes depended on the degree of hydrological connectivity, predicting that dispersal processes would be more important at connected sites, and also whether there was spatial concordance among these three assemblage types. 3. There was significant but weak spatial concordance among the study communities, suggesting limited potential for surrogacy among them. Distance–decay in community similarity was not observed for any study assemblage at perennial sites, suggesting dispersal was not limiting and assemblages were structured more strongly by local niche processes at these connected sites. At intermittent sites, weak distance–decay relationships for each assemblage type were confounded by significant relationships with environmental dissimilarity, suggesting that dispersal limitation contributed, albeit weakly, to niche processes in structuring our three study assemblages at disconnected sites. 4. Two environmental factors, flow regime and channel width, explained significant proportions of variation in all three assemblages, potentially contributing to the observed spatial concordance between them and representing local environmental gradients along which these communities re-assemble after the wet season, according to niche rather than dispersal processes.
Informative content of melanin-based plumage colour in adult Eurasian kestrels

Covariation between melanin-based colorations and other phenotypic attributes has been rarely measured simultaneously in males and females. Such covariations and mechanisms mediating them have crucial importance determining the signalling function of these coloured ornaments in the two sexes. We examined the role of four melanin-based coloured plumage patches as indicators of quality in both males and females of the sexually dimorphic and dichromatic Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Previous kestrel studies have focused on the size of melanin plumage patches in either males or females as indicators of individual quality. Here, we used spectrophotometric measurements of three plumage patches and the size of another plumage patch to investigate the information content of multiple plumage colour traits in male and female kestrels. We found that females with bright plumage in the head and with high UV chroma in black parts of the rump showed good body condition and innate immunity. In addition, laying date was significantly explained by the intensity of the brown in the head of females. Meanwhile, in males we only found that individuals with greyer rumps showed better innate immunity. Altogether, our results indicate that, irrespective of the mechanism promoting covariation between coloration and individual quality, melanin-based coloration can inform on individual quality in adult kestrels.
Summer-Autumn home range and habitat use of the Hastings River mouse Pseudomys oralis (Rodentia: Muridae).

Individuals from a population of Hastings River mouse (Pseudomys oralis) were radio tracked in a short-term investigation of home range, habitat use and movement patterns in Marengo State Forest on the northern tablelands of New South Wales. Results were assessed in the context of conservation and management of this threatened species and compared to research in other parts of the species? distribution. The mean summer-autumn home range (Minimum Convex Polygon) of five animals that met the home range asymptote was 0.78 ha, the minimum home range for fourteen mice was 0.72 ha, while median home range for males was 0.8 ha and females 0.53 ha. There was no significant difference in home range size between sexes. Habitat data indicated that fallen logs, including tree head and butt residue following logging, are important refuge and nest sites, even when rocks and hollows are available. A diversity of fern and other ground plant species (including grasses) was important habitat for the species, microhabitat consisting predominantly of sedge and rush was not favoured.
Can an Educational Program on the Nutritional Benefits of Citrus Fruit Positively Influence the Nutritional Attitudes of Children

The Citrus Guide, Teaching Healthy Living Through Horticulture (Citrus Guide) is an activity guide designed to help teachers integrate nutrition education into their classrooms. The objectives of this research project were to: 1) help teachers integrate nutrition education, specifi cally as it relates to citrus fruit, into their curricula by using the Citrus Guide; and 2) evaluate whether students developed more positive attitudes towards citrus fruit by participating in activities from the Citrus Guide. The nutritional attitudes of 157 second through fi fth grade students were measured with a citrus fruit preference questionnaire divided into two sections: one targeting citrus fruit and the other targeting citrus snacks. After participating in the activities, no differences were detected in attitudes towards citrus fruit. However, students did have more positive attitudes towards citrus snacks after participating in the activities, with female students and younger students having the greatest improvement in citrus snack attitude scores. Also, there was a direct positive correlation between more grapefruit and oranges consumed daily and students’ attitudes towards citrus fruit.
Evaluation and characterization of sunflower germplasm accessions for quantitative characters.

Sunflower germplasm accessions (143) were evaluated for yield and yield contributing characters to study the extentof variation for different quantitative traits. The germplasm accessions were also characterized on qualitative traits. Highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for seed yield per plant (53.4% and 46.9% respectively) followed by head diameter, test weight, plant height, volume weight and oil content. High heritability was noticed for all the traits studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance over mean has been recorded for seed yield per plant (77 and 65.1) followed by head diameter, test weight and plant height. It was noticed that sunflower germplasm accessions exhibited wide range of variability for all the morphological characters studied like leaf shape, leaf color, leaf serrations, leaf hairiness, stem hairiness, indicator leaf, petiole anthocyanin, branching, leaf angle, petiole length, stem pigmentation and pollen color.
Transcriptional analysis of physiological pathways in a generalist herbivore: responses to different host plants and plant structures by the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

The generalist cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), can consume host plants in more than 40 families, and often utilizes several tissues of a single plant. It is believed that generalists owe their success to the deployment of various members of multigene families of detoxification and digestive enzymes, a strategy that may also be responsible for rapid evolution of insecticide resistance. However, studies of generalist adaptations have been limited to specific genes or gene families, and an overview of how these adaptations are orchestrated at the transcriptional level is lacking. We used Drosophila melanogaster Meigen gene homology to H. armigera‐expressed sequence tags to identify key groups of genes and pathways differentially regulated in the gut of fifth instars after 2 days of feeding on a variety of food sources. A series of microarray hybridizations was performed following two alternating loop designs, one comparing the gut gene expression upon feeding on various hosts (cotton, bean, tobacco, and chickpea) and two artificial diets (pinto bean and wheat germ‐based), whereas the second design compared the gut expression toward feeding on various plant structures within cotton (leaf, square, and boll). The transcriptional responses toward bean and tobacco feeding treatments were more closely related in comparison with the rest of the diets, whereas the gene expression profiles toward cotton leaf and square‐feeding were highly similar. We furthermore found significant changes in several pathways not directly responsible for detoxification mechanisms. Genes involved in primary and secondary metabolism, environmental information processing, and cellular processes were found to be differentially expressed. In addition, regulation of xenobiotic metabolism and the extracellular matrix‐receptor pathways appeared differentially regulated across feeding treatments. Three cytochrome P450 genes – CYP6AE17, CYP6B6, and CYP9A17 – grouped as part of a xenobiotic metabolism pathway, were up‐regulated in the bean‐feeding treatment, and down‐regulated in both tobacco and cotton‐feeding treatments. CYP4L11, CYP4L5, and CYP4S13 were differentially expressed upon feeding on different cotton plant structures. The present work provides host plant and plant structure‐specific transcriptional responses in a lepidopteran herbivore, including pathways and gene candidates for future studies of H. armigera physiology under a more integrative ecologically meaningful framework.
Comparación de tres métodos para estimar estabilidad del rendimiento en nueve variedades de algodón

SUMMARY With the purpose of selecting and recommending promissory cultivars of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L) with high yield potential and stability, for crop areas in Venezuela, the yield (seed included) of nine cotton varieties was evaluated. The data from the 1995-96 and 1996-97 cycles was used. The experimental design was a randomized completed block design with four repetitions on twelve environments. Parameters of stability offered by the methods of Eberhart and Russell, (1966), Cruz et al. (1989) and the AMMI model were estimated and compared to determine the best method or combination. There was no coincidence between the best yield varieties, Unellez-2 and the commercial variety Delta Pine 16, in relation to stability criteria. According to Eberhart and Russell, these were classified as stable, while according to Cruz et al. they were adaptive to favorable environments and according to AMMI they were unstable with high interaction. Of the three methods studied, the AMMI model allowed associating the response of high yield varieties to specific environments, gave more information and was easier to interpret.
97 ASSESSMENT OF VIABILITY OF IN VITRO PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS FOLLOWING VITRIFICATION BY CVM OR SLOW FREEZING WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND TRIPLE TRANSFER

Vitrification has become the method of choice for the preservation of in vitro derived embryos of a number of species, and several methods of vitrification have been developed. One such method, the cryoLogic vitrification method (CVM) yields high survival rates of warmed embryos (Lindemans W et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 174 abst). In this study, the post-warm viability of bovine IVP embryos following either vitrification using CVM or slow freezing using ethylene glycol (EG) was compared. In addition, the survival of embryos following triple transfer to synchronized recipients was measured and the embryo (“e”) and recipient (“r”) contributions to embryo survival was determined using the “er” model for embryo survival (McMillan WH et al. 1998 Theriogenology 50, 1053–1070). Bovine IVP methods were those of van Wagtendonk et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 214 (abst). On day 7 of culture (Day 0 = IVF), Grade 1 and 2 embryos that had reached at least the late morula stage were selected for vitrification (20% DMSO, 20% ethylene glycol) or freezing in 1.5 M ethylene glycol + 0.1 M sucrose (0.5°C/min to −35°C). Following storage in LN2 for at least 24 h the embryos were thawed, the cryoprotectant removed, and the embryos cultured for 72 h in mSOF medium under 5% CO2, 7% O2, 88% N2. The number of hatching embryos was recorded at 24-h intervals. In addition, blastocyst and expanded blastocyst embryos were thawed and immediately transferred nonsurgically to recipients (three embryos of the same grade to each recipient) on Day 7 of a synchronized cycle (Day 0 = heat). The recipients were ultrasound-scanned for the presence of, and number of, fetuses on Days 35 and 62, respectively. The invitro assessment of 148 CVM and 230 EG frozen embryos indicated that more vitrified than EG embryos hatched by 72 h (73% vs. 62%; CVM vs. EG, χ2 = 4.5, P < 0.05). Overall, more Grade 1 embryos hatched than Grade 2 (74% vs. 60%, χ2 = 7.2, P < 0.01). CVM embryos (105) were triple-transferred to 35 recipients, and EG embryos (30) were triple-transferred to 10 recipients. Recipient pregnancy rates at Day 62 were 80% and 70%, respectively. Overall embryo survival was 38.5% (41% for CVM and 30% for EG). The overall calculated “e” and “r” values were 0.39 and 1.0 (“e”: 0.42 and 1.0, and “r”: 0.31 and 1.0, respectively, CVM and EG groups). Survival rates of CVM embryos to Day 62 (41%) were slightly lower than that previously obtained for fresh embryos produced using an identical IVP procedure (44% – van Wagtendonk AM 2004).
Reflectance of blue, green, red and near infrared radiation from wetland vegetation used in a model discriminating live and dead above ground biomass.

Field measurements of canopy reflectance of wetland vegetation in the blue (450 ran), green (548 nm), red (655 nm) and NIR (805 nm) wavebands were correlated with plant biomass variables. Negative relationships, asymptotic in nature, were observed between visible wavebands, canopy reflectance and total live biomass as well as green biomass, with correlation coefficients r between -0·52 and -0·93. Curvilinear relations were observed between NIR canopy reflectance and total live biomass as well as green biomass, with r between 0·39 and 0·88. Different normalization indices (NIR blue-1 , NIR red-1 , VI, PI and NIRlbio ) were tested and positive relations between these indices and total live biomass and green biomass were observed, with r between 0·69 and 0·96. Inverse relations of an asymptotic nature were observed between dead biomass as a percentage of total biomass and of green biomass, with r between 0·90 and 0·91. A model discriminating live and dead above-ground biomass was developed to improve correlations between canopy reflectance and biomass variables. The model nearly doubled the correlation coefficient between reflectance and green biomass for a canopy containing large amounts of interfering dead biomass, but did not change this correlation for a canopy containing small amounts of dead biomass.
Influence of selected feed supplements on the growth and health of calves depending on the sex, season of birth, and number of the dam's lactations

The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that the growth and health of calves are dependent on feed supplements with an antidiarrhoeic effect, in relation to sex, season of birth, and number of the dam’s lactations. A total of 186 calves were included in the experiment. After birth the calves were divided into three treatment groups: Ascophyllum nodosum (brown seaweed hydrolyzate, prebiotics), Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotics), and the control group. All calves were weighed within two h after birth. The growth and health were investigated from the birth to the fourth week of age. Compared to the control, a significant effect of applied feed supplements was found in the Lactobacillus sporogenes group in the body weight at 28 days of life (P < 0.01) and in the average daily gains (P < 0.001). Differences between sexes were found in the body weight at birth (P < 0.001) and in the body weight at 28 days of life (P < 0.01). The effect of the season of birth was recorded in the average daily gains (P < 0.01). The effect of the number of the dam’s lactations on calf was proved in body weights at birth and 28 days of life (P < 0.01). The interaction between treatment and sex (P < 0.05), and between treatment and season of birth (P < 0.01) were calculated in the average daily gains. We concluded from the analysis that only the use of Lactobacillus sporogenes had a positive influence on increasing the growth. Neither of the two supplements had a positive impact on the health of calves. Calf, diarrhoea, microbiota, nutrition, probiotics
Investigation on Anticataract Activity of Triphala Ghrita

Lab prepared Triphala ghrita was studied for its possible anticataract activity on galactose induced cataract in Swiss albino rats. Administration of Triphala ghrita at a dose of 216 mg/200 g, 1080 mg/200 g and 2160 mg/200 g of rat orally offered significant dose dependent protection against galactose induced cataract and delayed the onset and progression of cataract. It was seen that the dose of 1080 mg of Triphala ghrita did not show stage II cataract in 14 days and stage III in 21 days. It did not show even stage III and stage IV cataract after 30 days whereas group B and group C showed stage III and stage IV cataracts. Dose of 2160 mg did not showed stage IV cataract after 30 days but showed stage III cataract. Dose of 1080 mg of Triphala ghrita offered significant protection against delaying the onset and progression of cataract in comparison to other doses. This effect may be attributed to the antioxidant activity of gallic acid, ellagic acid and ascorbic acid which shows their presence in Triphala ghrita. This preliminary study was encouraging but further studies are required to extrapolate the clinical usefulness of this formulation.
Genetic diversity patterns in Curcuma reflect differences in genome size

The relationships between genome size and the systematic and evolutionary patterns in vascular plants are equivocal, although a close relationship between genome size and evolutionary patterns has been previously reported. However, several studies have also revealed the dynamic nature of genome size evolution and its considerable ‘ups’ and ‘downs’. Thus, in this study, the phylogenetic relationships among three previously revealed genome size groups and among species of the highly polyploid genus Curcuma were evaluated using AFLP. Our results suggest two main lineages within Indian Curcuma reflecting evolution of genome size. The first one includes hexaploids and higher polyploids of the previously recognized genome size group I, and the second one includes mainly hexaploids of genome size groups II and III. Within genome size group I, relationships among species seem to be influenced by reticulate evolution and higher polyploids are likely to be of allopolyploid origin. Reproductive systems in Indian Curcuma vary considerably among ploidy levels and these differences considerably affect morphological and genetic variation. In general, clonally reproducing species are expected to exhibit low genotypic diversity, but, at the same time, species of allopolyploid origin are expected to maintain higher levels of heterozygosity compared with their progenitors. We investigated intra-populational genetic variability in Curcuma spp. to evaluate whether mode of reproduction or ploidy represent the main factor influencing the degree of genetic diversity. We found that hexaploid species exhibited significantly higher genetic diversity than higher polyploids (9x, 15x). Our results suggest that this genetic diversity pattern is largely influenced by the mode of reproduction, as higher polyploids reproduce exclusively vegetatively, whereas hexaploids reproduce mainly sexually. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165, 388–401.