Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery of small denuded patches of the dominant NSW coastal saltmarsh species (Sporobolus virginicus and Sarcocornia quinqueflora) and implications for restoration using donor sites

Summary Efforts to restore coastal saltmarsh habitats through transplantation of saltmarsh species from donor sites are becoming more frequent. As sections removed are generally small there is little information on the ability of these areas to recover naturally after removal. The present study provides an understanding of the potential of dominant saltmarsh species in NSW (Saltcouch, Sporobolus virginicus and Samphire, Sarcocornia quinqueflora) to regenerate naturally after such small-scale removal (25 cm × 25 cm plots) at separate sites for each species. The increase in percentage cover of vegetation within the denuded plots was measured over 21 months along a gradient within the marsh (between the mangrove and terrestrial boundaries) and then compared to non-denuded plots. Recovery of Saltcouch was slow with an estimate of 5–6 years to reach the surrounding cover levels. Similarly, recovery of Samphire on upper levels of the shore is estimated at 4–5.5 years. On the lower level on the shore, however, Samphire had reached a cover that was within the range of the surrounding vegetation by the end of the 21-month study period.
Antioxidative systems, pigment and protein contents in leaves of adult mediterranean oak species (Quercus pubescens and Q. ilex) with lifetime exposure to elevated CO2.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on the antioxidative systems and the contents of pigments, soluble protein and lipid peroxidation in leaves of adult oaks, Quercus pubescens and Quercus ilex, grown at naturally enriched CO2 concentrations. For this purpose, a field study was conducted at two CO2 springs in Central Italy. Measurements of the pre-dawn water potentials indicated less drought stress in trees close to CO2 springs than in those grown at ambient CO2 concentrations. Most leaf constituents investigated showed significant variability between sampling dates, species and sites. The foliar contents of protein and chlorophylls were not affected in trees grown close to the CO2 vents compared with those in ambient conditions. Increases in glutathione and other soluble thiols were observed, but these responses might have been caused by a low pollution of the vents with sulphurous gases. At CO2 vents, glutathione reductase was unaffected, and superoxide dismutase activity was significantly diminished, in both species. Generally, the activities of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase as well as the sum of dehydroascorbate and ascorbate were decreased in leaves from trees grown in naturally CO2 -enriched environments compared with those grown at ambient CO2 concentrations. The reduction in protective enzymes did not result in increased lipid peroxidation, but increased monodehydroascorbate radical reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities found in leaves of Q. pubescens suggest that the smaller pool of ascorbate was subjected to higher turnover rates. These data show that changes in leaf physiology persist, even after lifetime exposure to enhanced atmospheric CO2 . The results suggest that the down-regulation of protective systems, which has also previously been found in young trees or seedlings under controlled exposure to elevated CO2 concentrations, might reflect a realistic response of antioxidative defences in mature trees in a future high-CO2 world.
Feno da rama de mandioca para suínos em terminação

This research was developed to evaluate the digestibility and metabolizability of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy and availability of calcium and phosphorus of the cassava foliage hay for finishing pig, as well as to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristic and economic viability of the experimental diets for these animals fed with different levels of inclusion of this by-product in the diets. In the metabolism assay, four pigs were fed with a standard ration and others four received a test ration, with 30% of substitution of the standard ration for the cassava foliage hay. In the performance assay, forty animals were distributed in a randomized block design, with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of the experimental diets with the levels of 0; 5; 10; 15 and 20% of inclusion of the cassava foliage hay. The values of the digestibility and metabolizability of the dry matter, crude protein, gross energy of the cassava foliage hay for growing pigs area are: 33.24 e 29.86%; 3.98 e 2.97%; 1,386.2 e 1,196.6kcal/kg, respectively. The values of calcium and phosphorus availability they are 0.30 e 0.21%, respectively. The feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and weight of main cuts of pigs they are not influenced by inclusion of the cassava foliage hay in diets to the level of 20%. However the inclusion of the level of 10% of the cassava foliage hay in diets of pig improve financial yield of production.
Livestock Grazing-Fire Regime Interactions within Montane Forests of Zion National Park, Utah

Major differences were found between the vegetation structure of ponderosa pine—dominanted communities on the Horse Pasture Plateau and those on the nearby but isolated Church and Greatheart Mesas in Zion National Park. The Horse Pasture Plateau was heavily grazed by livestock in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while the mesas were never grazed. Conditions on the mesas now approximate the pre—European situation of the region as described in the earliest written accounts. Pine, oak, and juniper sapling density and cover were much higher on the formerly grazed plateau than on the relict mesas. Herbaceous species dominated the groundlayer in mesa ponderosa pine savanna stands, while grass and forb cover was low on analogous sites of the plateau. Age—class distributions of major tree species further substantiated that major physiognomic changes have occurred on the plateau since the arrival of European man. Analysis of fire scars showed that prior to 1881, the mean fire—free interval for ponderosa pine stands on the plateau was 4 to 7 yr, while the interval for Church Mesa was 69 yr. Since there were no recorded fires on Church Mesa between 1892 and 1964, and yet no corresponding increase in sapling density, the increased understory density of plateau stands should not be attributed primarily to cessation of fires. Instead, heavy grazing by livestock and associated reduction of the herbaceous groundlayer promoted the establishment of less palatable tree and shrub seedlings, Fire, however, played an important secondary role in maintaining savanna and woodland communities.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of High-amylose Rice and Pea Starch Films as Affected by Relative Humidity and Plasticizer

ABSTRACT: The tensile properties, water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability at different relative humidities (RH), and water solubility of edible films made of high-amylose rice starch (RS) or pea starch (PS) were measured and compared with the most commonly used edible films. Photomicrography of starch films shows amylopectin-rich gels and amylose-rich granules. The addition of glycerol into starch films made amylose-rich granules swollen and continuously dispersed between amylopectin-rich gels. Tensile strength of RS and PS films decreased when RH increased from 51% to 90%, whereas elongation-at-break (E) of both films increased when RH increased. Water vapor permeabilities of both films were similar, resulting in 130 to 150 g mm/m2/d /kPa. Oxygen permeability of RS and PS were very low (< 0.5 cm3μm/m2/d/kPa) below 40% RH, and 1.2 to 1.4 at 45% RH. Water solubility of PS film was 32.0%, which is lower than that of RS film (44.4%). Overall high-amylose rice and pea starch films possess an excellent oxygen barrier property with extremely high stretchability.
Adaptability of sift potato genotypes in different agro-ecologies of Uganda

The effect of genotype by environment interaction (G x E) on fresh tuber yield of nine Standard International Field Trials (SIFT) potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes and Kisoro, a local variety, was studied in Uganda using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model 3. Results indicated that the proportion of the environmental variation was much larger than the proportion due to genotypes and the proportion due to G x E interaction was also larger than the genotype main effects. Genotypes (G), environments (E) and the G x E interactions accounted for 8.43, 57.13 and 34.44% of the treatment sums of squares, respectively. AMMI and the biplot identified genotypes 384866.5, 381381.13, 389746.2, Kisoro and 386209.10 as adapted to four environments. Test genotypes 389746.2, Robijn and 381381.13 were the most stable and had higher yields (> 19 t ha-1) than all genotypes except Torridon, which was also very unstable and specifically adapted to one environment (Kalengyere 2B). Kalengyere 1B and Wanale 2A were identified as similar environments.
Tree line population monitoring of Pinus sylvestris in the Swedish Scandes, 1973–2005: implications for tree line theory and climate change ecology

1 Demographic trends of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) tree line populations are reported for a 32‐year monitoring period (1973–2005). Functional and projective aspects of tree line performance were analysed by relating temporal variability and change of vital population parameters, such as natality/mortality, vigour, injuries, height growth and seed viability to contemporary variations in air and soil temperatures. 2 The size of the entire sampled population increased by 50% during the 32‐year observation period and thereby pine has become a more prominent element on the landscape. This reverses a natural multicentennial or even millennial trend of tree line decline and recession. 3 Contrasting population trends were recorded for the subperiods 1973–87 and 1988–2005, viz. decline and increase, respectively. Mean summer temperatures (JJA) did not change perceivably over and between these intervals, although some exceptionally warm summers from 1997 onwards have contributed to population expansion by increased seed viability and seedling emergence. Winter temperatures (DJF) decreased significantly over the first subperiod and were consistently higher during the second, which has significantly lowered the mortality rates. 4 A functional link to winter temperature conditions was particularly stressed by the aetiology of individual plant vigour, injuries and final mortality. Classical symptoms of winter desiccation correlated significantly with low winter temperatures. This negative impact occurred with a high frequency during the decline phase and virtually ceased during the expansion phase from 1988 onwards, when winter air and root zone temperatures were raised to a consistently higher level. 5 Winter and summer temperatures in the air and soil, as well as positive feedback mechanisms and nonlinear responses, must be taken into account in the search for global or regional mechanical explanations for the tree line phenomenon. This insight helps to generate realistic tree line models for a high‐CO2 world, when winter warming is usually predicted to be particularly large.
Studies on the Biosynthesis of Lignin

We have been studying on the genesis of lignin and the changes of some chemical constituents contained in the gourd fruits which were taken in turn in certain periods after flowering.The results obtained are as follows: Lignin was at first generated on the fifteenth-day after flowering, and since then increases rapidly and finally occupies the whole fruit. The distributions of peroxidase and phenoloxidase in the tissue of fruit agreed with the lignification, and, it is suggested that these enzymes have relations to the biosynthesis of lignin.Lignin is mainly synthesized at the tissue of the shell-part of fruit. The content of lignin was only 2.3% on the fifteenth-day but it reached to 32% in hardened fruit. The methoxyl content of lignin was only 2% on the fifteenth-day but it increased along with the increase of lignin reaching to a level of 12% on the fifteenth-day, and to 15.3% after drying. In addition to these changes of lignin, other components except lignin also showed characteristic changes.In ord.
Chemical characterization of Central American pitaya ( Hylocereus sp.) seeds and seed oil

Central American red pitaya (Hylocereussp.) seeds were studied for their chemical and nutritional traits with particular reference to the fatty acid (FA) profile of the seed oil. Proximate seed composition averaged 352 g/kg, 302 g/kg, 296 g/kg, 206 g/kg, 126 g/kg, and 21 g/kg for total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, moisture, and ash, respectively. FA composition of pitaya seed oil determined by GC–MS and quantified by GC-FID was dominated by unsaturated FAs (753 g/kg). Interestingly, linoleic acid was found to be the only polyunsaturated and most abundant FA (466 g/kg), whereas palmitoleic (3 g/kg), oleic (239 g/kg), and cis-11-vaccenic acid (45 g/kg) were the major monounsaturated FAs. Palmitic (182 g/kg), stearic (49 g/kg), and arachidic acid (18g/kg) represented the saturated FA fraction. Iodine absorption value, saponification number and free fatty acid value amounted to 105.6 g I2/100 g, 235.7 mg KOH/g, and 1.9 mg KOH/g, respectively.
Evolutionary Stability of Aposematic Coloration and Prey Unprofitability: A Theoretical Analysis

Species that have evolved some defense against predators, here called unprofitable prey, often show aposematic (warning) coloration. The process whereby a predator learns not to attack unprofitable prey is an essential ingredient in the interaction between predators and such prey. Using learning theory and evolutionary game theory, we develop a model of predator-prey interactions, focusing on two characters: prey unprofitability and prey coloration. Both these characters are treated as one-dimensional variables, and it is assumed that variation in coloration causes variation in the rate at which prey are detected by predators. Regarding the two characters as strategies used by prey individuals, we determine evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS's). The coloration yielding the smallest possible rate of detection is called cryptic, and colorations yielding higher rates of detection are called aposematic. Two aspects of predator behavior are shown to be important for the stability of an aposematic strategy: a reluctance to attack prey more conspicuously colored than those so far encountered, and faster avoidance learning vis-a-vis prey with more conspicuous coloration. At least one of these factors must be present for an aposematic strategy to be an ESS. Similarly, two factors are important for the evolution of prey unprofitability: increased survival of attacks by a predator, and faster avoidance learning vis-a-vis more-unprofitable prey. If there is a nonpredatory cost associated with unprofitability, at least one of these factors must be present for an unprofitable strategy to be an ESS. The first factor mentioned, both for coloration and unprofitability, results in individual selection. The second factor, variation in the rate of avoidance learning caused by variation in the character, produces a selection pressure only if there is a correlation between prey phenotypes encountered by the predator. Such correlation may be the result of relatedness among prey individuals (resulting in kin selection) or repeated encounters with the same prey individual.
Genetic Diversity and Host Specificity of Fungal Endophyte Taxa in Fescue Pasture Grasses

A number of pasture and turf grass species form mutually beneficial symbiotic associations with endophytic fungal species. Within the fescue grasses, diploid meadow fescue (Huds.) interacts with while allohexaploid tall fescue (Schreb.) has been reported to associate with and two other morphologically distinct taxa (taxonomic groups 2 and 3 [TG-2 and TG-3]). The evolutionary history of hexaploid tall fescue is complex, as part of a species group with varying ploidy levels and exhibiting distinct ecogeographical morphotypes. To evaluate both naturally occurring variation and host grass taxon specificity, diversity was determined in collections representing multiple meadow fescue and tall fescue accessions. Initial screening with a minimal set of endophyte-specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) genetic markers detected endophyte incidence in 33% of 701 tested accessions. Subsequent analysis identified genotypes within Continental and rhizomatous hexaploid and octoploid tall fescue [ subsp. (St.-Yves) Auquier] accessions. taxonomic group 2 and TG-3 endophytes appeared to be restricted to Mediterranean hexaploid and decaploid tall fescue [ (St.-Yves) Gamisans] hosts. Endophytes of meadow fescue were confirmed as belonging to . This study has elucidated host specificity of fescue endophyte taxa and supported models for host–symbiont coevolution. A substantial number of candidate novel endophytes have been identified that are suitable for metabolic characterization and deployment by inoculation in fescue breeding programs.
Response of fed and starved roach, Rutilus rutilus, to sublethal copper contamination

Fed and starved yearling roach, Rutilus rutilus. were subjected to a sublethal copper contamination of 80 μg Cu × l−1 for 7 days. Copper accumulation was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In both fed and starved fishes, the gill tissues showed significant uptake of copper, while the liver tissues of only starved specimens showed significant accumulation. Refeeding roach after 7 days of starvation and contamination resulted in a significant decrease of liver copper content. No copper release from the liver occurred if, after cessation of exposure, starvation was continued. Analysis of liver ultrastructure demonstrated no pathological lesions or copperspecific alterations. Cellular changes represented combined influences of nutrition and of copper. Qualitative as well as quantitative results provide evidence that the nutritional status of a fish is of great importance in modifying its response to sublethal copper contamination.
Characterization of Nocardia nova

Nocardia nova strains were clearly distinguished from Nocardia asteroides, Nocardia farcinica, and other Nocardia species by numerical classification in which 107 characters were used. N. nova was differentiated from N. asteroides sensu stricto by the following characteristics: Presence of 2-week arylsulfatase, α-esterase, and β-esterase activities; absence of the ability to utilize citrate as a sole carbon source; and presence of the ability to utilize iso-butanol as a sole carbon source. The type strain (strain ATCC 33726) exhibited 39% relatedness to N. asteroides type strain ATCC 19247 and 20% relatedness to N. farcinica type strain ATCC 3318 in a DNA relatedness analysis. The α-mycolic acids of N. nova contained 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 carbon atoms and one to four double bonds. The numbers of carbon atoms in the α-unit were 16:0 or 18:1; these numbers in the α-unit were characteristic because the α-unit possessed an unsaturated alkyl unit (18:1). Thus, the mycolic acids of N. nova were clearly differentiated from those of N. asteroides and N. farcinica.
Forty-eight Years of Rice Improvement in Texas since the Release of Cultivar Bluebonnet in 1944

Information on the contribution of plant breeding to changes in yields and other agronomic traits is useful for optimizing selection gains; thus, this study aimed to determine the contribution of Texas rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding to changes in cultivars released during the 48 yr since the release of 'Bluebonnet' in 1944. Twenty-three cultivars were evaluated in three environments and two N levels. Days to heading, plant height, whole and total milled rice percentages, and grain yield were measured. Significant variation among cultivars was found for all traits evaluated, while N affected all traits except milled rice. There was a linear decrease in days to heading in cultivars released from 1944 to 1992. Plant height decreased at 1.28 and 1.10 cm yr -1 for the 190 and 95 kg ha -1 N levels, respectively, mainly due to the incorporation of the semidwarf gene in many cultivars starting in 1981. Plant heights of recently released cultivars were more stable across N levels and less susceptible to lodging. Although whole and total milled rice percentages increased at 0.06 and 0.03% yr -1 , respectively, environmental factors limited their genetic advances. Grain yield increased at 42.0 and 26.3 kg ha -1 yr -1 under the 190 and 95 kg ha -1 N levels, respectively, demonstrating that newer releases responded well to higher N. These show the remarkable progress in the Texas rice breeding program from 1944 to 1992.
The Fecundity Of Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasi) in British Columbia Coastal Waters

The fecundity of Pacific herring was investigated from a collection of 600 ovaries gathered from various localities along the British Columbia coast during the winter and early spring of 1954–55. It was found that fecundity depended mainly on body length and to a lesser extent on age, independently of its effect on body length. Certain differences in fecundity, found between herring from various localities when die relationship of fecundity to body length was considered, were not found when the relationship between fecundity, body length and age was considered. These differences were attributed to differences in growth rate. Fecundity of herring of same body length and the same age was found to be significantly higher in northern British Columbia than in southern.
Β-glucosidase production of two different Aspergillus strains

-Glucosidase has an important role in cellulose degradation by cleaving the cellobiose to glucose units. Supplementation ofTrichodermacellulase with exogenous ? -glucosidase is needed to prevent the inhibition effect of cellobiose on exoglucanases and endoglucanases.Production of ? -glucosidase byAspergillus nigerandAspergillus phoenicishas been investigated under different fermentations. Both strains were appropriate for enzyme production at high level under the applied conditions.Cultivation ofA. phoenicison Mandels' medium containing a complex nitrogen source has resulted in a higher ? -glucosidase activity than on Vogel's medium. In an air-lift fermenterA. phoenicisgrew in the shape of beads with 1.41 IU g–1 cell-associated enzyme activity. The fungal pellets can be used as in situ immobilized enzyme preparation.A. nigerproduced extracellular ? -glucosidase at the level of 2.1 IU ml–1 in stirred-tank fermenter with a yield of 210 IU g–1 glucose and productivity of 21.8 IU l–1 h–1.
BEITRAEGE ZUR QUANTITATIVEN POLLENANALYSE DES HONIGS.3. — ABSOLUTER GEHALT PFLANZLICHER BESTANDTEILE IN ESPARSETTE-, LUZERNE-, ORANGEN- UND RAPSHONIGEN

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. BEITRAEGE ZUR QUANTITATIVEN POLLENANALYSE DES HONIGS.3. – ABSOLUTER GEHALT PFLANZLICHER BESTANDTEILE IN ESPARSETTE-, LUZERNE-, ORANGENUND RAPSHONIGEN Dr. A. Maurizio