Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avaliação de cultivares de milho em solo salino do semi-árido de Pernambuco

Oito cultivares de milho ( Zea mays L.) foram avaliadas em duas areas distintas: salina – condutividade eletrica do Extrato Saturado (CE), media de 9,88 d s/m – e nao-salina, CE, inferior a 2,01 ds/m. Observou-se o efeito da salinidade do solo sobre altura media de planta, producao de graos, relacao Na/K. Ambos os cultivos foram mantidos sob irrigacao por sulco, com agua nao-salina (CE = 0,68 ds/m). A concentracao de Na e a relacao Na/K apresentaram-se maiores nas plantas da area salina. O efeito do estresse salino mostrou-se mais severo quanto a producao de graos do que quanto a altura da planta. As cultivares testadas nao diferiram entre si quanto a tolerância a salinidade. Verificou-se uma tendencia a tolerância, representada por um rendimento relativo superior a 50%, nas cultivares Jatina C-3 anao, Dentado Composto, e CMS-22 e Pioneer 6875, quando foi comparada a producao de graos obtida na area salina com a producao da area nao-salina.
ADAPTABILITY OF RUSSIAN ANGORA RABBITS IN SEMI ARID TROPICS

Russian Angora rabbits raised under semi arid conditions during 1982-1985 had average kindling % of 58.7. The average litter size at birth and at weaning (6 weeks) were 5.68 and 3.62 respectively. Body weight al birth 6, 12 and 24 weeks were 55 g, 536 g, 1.17 kg and 2.61 kg and 54 g, 536 g, 1.19 kg and 2.64 kg. The first group of data corresponds to males and the second to females. The wool was clipped firstly at 3 months of age and then at quarterly intervals. The wool yield showed steady increase with the age and was highest in the fourth clip: 40g/clip at 3 months and 60g/clip for adults on average. The wool yield in young as well as in adult rabbits was lowest in June clip (-36%/general mean). The influence of age, years and season of clip were significant (P 0.01) while the sex difference were non significant. The breeding of Russian angora rabbits was discontinuad after 1985 due to appearance of a genetic disorder "Retarded Wool Syndrome" which cause significant loss in wool yield. lt was probably due to inbreeding in a small population coupled with adversa effect of hot climate.
Fellingas a Pre-Treatment for Prescribed Fire Promotes Restoration of Fire-Suppressed Florida Sandhill

ABSTRACT: Fire suppression in sandhill ecosystems leads to biotic impoverishment and reduces fine fuels needed for frequent fires. We investigated the restoration dynamics of a long-unburned endemic-rich sandhill on Florida's Lake Wales Ridge using prescribed fire with and without prior chainsaw felling of the hardwood subcanopy. Our goals were to promote survival of longleaf pines (Pinus palustris), decrease subcanopy and shrub densities and lichen cover, and increase cover of graminoids and rare forbs. Treatments were applied in 2001 and responses monitored annually through 2005. Prior felling of the subcanopy increased fire temperatures, residence times, and coverage compared to the burn-only treatment. The saw and burn treatment was effective in removing the subcanopy, but caused an undesirable increase in longleaf pine mortality. Pine mortality decreased with distance from saw and burn plots. Post-treatment shrub densities initially decreased, then increased in both treatments relative to controls. Forb densities and graminoid cover increased in both treatments and controls; increases were greater with burn treatments. Both treatments, especially saw and burn, caused compositional shifts relative to the control. Subcanopy felling as a pre-treatment for burning was effective in beginning restoration. We recommend additional fires and protection of longleaf pines to continue restoration progress. Saw and burn treatments can accelerate restoration and are a good first step toward re-establishing a frequent low-intensity fire regime. Nomenclature: Wunderlin and Hansen (2003) unless otherwise indicated
EXIT STRATEGY OF UROPHORA CARDUI (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) FROM ITS GALL ON CANADA THISTLE

Abstract Feeding activities of freshly hatched larvae of Urophora cardui (L.) cause the formation of callus-filled channels which later serve as the routes by which adults exit their galls. Callus cells of the channels deteriorate the following spring when the gall is wetted by melting snow and rainfall. Establishment of U. cardui as an agent in the biological control of Canada thistle may be impaired in habitats with insufficient moisture to degrade the callus plug. Résumé Les activités liées à l'alimentation des larves nouvellement écloses de Urophora cardui (L.) provoquent la formation de canaux remplis de cal lesquels servent éventuellement de voies par lesquelles les adultes quittent les galles. Les cellules calleuses des canaux se désagrègent le printemps suivant lorsque la galle est humectée par la neige fondante et la pluie. L'établissement de U. cardui comme auxiliaire de contrôle biologique du chardon pourrait s'avérer difficile dans les habitats où l'humidité est insuffisante pour désagréger le bouchon calleux.
Integration of cover crops and fertilizer rates for weed management in celery

Abstract Field studies were carried out in Laingsburg, MI, from 2002 to 2004 on Houghton muck soil to assess the impacts of cover crops and soil fertility regimes on weed populations and celery yield. The cover crops were oilseed radish, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and a bare ground control. The fertility rates were full (180, 90, and 450 kg ha−1 nitrogen [N], phosphorus pentoxide [P2O5], and potassium oxide [K2O], respectively), half (90, 45, and 225 kg ha−1 N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively), and low (90 kg ha−1 N). Each cover crop treatment was combined with the low or half rate of fertilizer. An additional treatment with bare ground plus the full rate of fertilizer was added as standard practice. Treatments were maintained in the same location for the duration of the study. Major weed species were common chickweed, prostrate pigweed, shepherd's-purse, common purslane, and yellow nutsedge. Each year, oilseed radish consistently produced the greatest biomass and provided over 98% early season weed biomass suppression. Hairy vetch and cereal rye provided about 70% weed suppression in early spring. Soil fertility level affected weed populations during the 2004 growing season. In 2004, weed biomass in treatments without cover crops or with vetch increased when greater amounts of fertilizer were applied. Within individual fertility levels, higher celery yields were recorded in the oilseed radish plots. For example, in the low fertility rate, celery yield was 34.8, 29.2, 23.9, and 24.4 ton ha−1 in the oilseed radish, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and control plots, respectively in 2003. Overall, the results of this experiment indicate that when included in a system where hoeing and hand-weeding are the only weed control methods, cover crops can successfully improve weed management and celery yield on muck soils, allowing reduced fertilizer inputs. Nomenclature: Common chickweed, Stellaria media (L.) Vill. STEME; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. POROL; prostrate pigweed, Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats AMABL; shepherd's-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus CAPBP; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. CYPES; celery, Apium graveolens L. ‘Dutchess’; cereal rye, Secale cereale L. , ‘VNS’; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth, ‘Common’; oilseed radish Raphanus sativus (L.) var. oleiferus Metzg (Stokes), ‘Diakon’.
Effects of kinship on aggression and RNA content in juvenile Arctic charr

The behaviour of juvenile Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus was studied in groups of four siblings composed of familiar and unfamiliar individuals or in mixed groups of four where both siblings and unrelated individuals were present. The frequency of aggressive acts was significantly higher in the mixed groups compared to the pure sibling groups and the difference was present at all levels of the hierarchy rank order, based on a dominance index, except the lowest ranked individuals. The difference was significant after but not before feeding, implying that competition with non-kin for a food resource increased the aggression. No significant difference in weight gain was observed between sibling and mixed groups during the 6 days of the experiment, but the RNA contents of lateral musculature in dominant individuals from sibling groups were significantly higher than the corresponding fish in the mixed group, suggesting a difference in growth rate when the experiments ended. No significant difference in RNA content was observed between subordinate fish of the two treatments, i.e. siblings v. mixed.
Effect of weaning age and diet on growth performance, caecal characteristics and potential pathogenetic microflora in rabbits

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age and diet at weaning on growth performances, caecal characteristics and development of potential pathogenetic microflora. The trial was carried out on 64 litters from 18 to 45 days of age comparing two weaning age (25 vs. 34 d) and two weaning diets (HF and LF) characterized, especially, by different energy, fat and starch concentration (HF: DE=11.5 MJ/kg, EE=6.2%, Starch=8.7%; LF: DE=10.1 MJ/kg DM, EE=3.1%, Starch=11.3%). At 45 d, early weaning determined a significant reduction of growth (1219 vs 1282; P<0.01), although the solid feed intake resulted significantly higher, from 25 to 34 days of age, in early weaned rabbits (50.0 vs 29.8 g/d; P<0.001). The age at weaning did not modify caecal traits, with the exception of pH value, that was lower in rabbits early moved to the mothers (5.53 vs 5.83; P<0,05). Independently by age of weaning, the administration of diet HF promoted growth performance in rabbits at 45 d (1280 vs 1222; P<0.01). Diet composition did not influence mortality rate at 34 days of age, while early weaning determined values significantly higher than those found in rabbits weaned later. The data of microbial analysis, carried out on 10 animals per diet (at 25 and 34 days of age), showed potential pathogenetic microflora development depended by the age of animal and was not affected by the composition of diets.
Iron and zinc concentrations in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds and their relationship with other nutritional and yield parameters

SUMMARY Biofortification (delivery of micronutrients via micronutrient-dense crops) can be achieved through plant breeding and offers a cost-effective and sustainable approach to fighting micronutrient malnutrition. The present study was conducted to facilitate the initiation of a breeding programme to improve the concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds. The experiment was conducted with 64 diverse peanut genotypes for 2 years in eight different environments at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, India to assess the genetic variation for Fe and Zn concentrations in peanut seeds and their heritability and correlations with other traits. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes and environments for Fe (33–68 mg/kg), Zn (44–95 mg/kg), protein (150–310 mg/g) and oil (410–610 mg/g) concentration in seeds and their heritability was high, thus indicating the possibility of improving them through breeding. As seen in other plants, a significant positive association between concentrations of Fe and Zn was observed. Trade-offs between pod yield and Fe and Zn concentrations were not observed and the same was also true for oil content. Besides being high yielding, genotypes ICGV 06099 (57 mg/kg Fe and 81 mg/kg Zn) and ICGV 06040 (56 mg/kg Fe and 80 mg/kg Zn) had stable performance for Fe and Zn concentrations across environments. These are the ideal choices for use as parents in a breeding programme and in developing mapping populations.
Air pollution tolerance indices of some plants around Ama industrial complex in Enugu State, Nigeria

Green house gases pollute the atmosphere and cause global warming which has become a worldwide environmental problem. In order to evaluate the ability of plants to absorb such gases, the air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) of some plants around an industrial complex in Nigeria, were determined. The total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, pH, and relative water content of the leaf extracts of Mangifera indica , Delonix regia , Bougainvillea spectabilis , Ixora coccinea , Anacardium occidentale and Duranta erecta were used to determine the APTI. Delonix regia gave significantly (p<0.05) highest APTI (5.308 ± 0.090), followed by Bougainvillea spectabilis (4.904 ± 0.001) and Duranta erecta (4.577 ± 0.166). Anacardium occidentale had the lowest (3.470 ± 0.001). Delonix regia was comparatively the most tolerant to air pollution. It is suggested that plants with high APTI values should be grown near pollution - prone areas to absorb and thus, screen off certain harmful gaseous pollutants which contribute to green house effect, global warming and climate change. Keywords: Air pollution tolerance index, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, pH, water, plants African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(11), 1231-1236
Freshwater Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Biogeographic Units for Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation

ABSTRACT We present a new map depicting the first global biogeographic regionalization of Earth's freshwater systems. This map of freshwater ecoregions is based on the distributions and compositions of freshwater fish species and incorporates major ecological and evolutionary patterns. Covering virtually all freshwater habitats on Earth, this ecoregion map, together with associated species data, is a useful tool for underpinning global and regional conservation planning efforts (particularly to identify outstanding and imperiled freshwater systems); for serving as a logical framework for large-scale conservation strategies; and for providing a global-scale knowledge base for increasing freshwater biogeographic literacy. Preliminary data for fish species compiled by ecoregion reveal some previously unrecognized areas of high biodiversity, highlighting the benefit of looking at the world's freshwaters through a new framework.
Formation and maintenance of community boundaries in a sub-alpine forest landscape in northern Japan

Abstract We focused on community boundaries in a sub-alpine forest landscape in the Shiretoko Peninsula, northern Japan. Gradient-directed transects were conducted on the northwestern slope (ranging 500–600 m a.s.l.) of Mount On'nebetsu (1331 m), where complex topography was formed by past landslides. Pioneer Picea glehnii made up a mosaic of pure stands related to landslides. Structural and compositional changes from P. glehnii pure stands to P. glehnii and Abies sachalinensis mixed stands were characterized by ca. 20 m transitional zones over the landscape. Stand density of the species changed across boundaries. A. sachalinensis preferred less undulated slopes with deep soil and P. glehnii preferred undulated rocky sites. Positive spatial associations between overstorey-understorey P. glehnii were found at undulated core parts of P. glehnii pure stands. Short-lived A. sachalinensis grew faster to the smaller maximum size than long-lived P. glehnii. Undulated topography controlled the increase of A. sachalinensis and provided regeneration sites for P. glehnii, which prevented the general trend of canopy replacement from P. glehnii to late-successional A. sachalinensis. However, the locations of current boundaries were not accordant with the topographic changes in the meso-scale landscape. Initial P. glehnii pure stands would extend to larger areas if current patterns reflect vegetation recovery since the last landslide. P. glehnii pure stands with accurate boundaries were not maintained by topographic complexity, but were dynamically arranged by the one-sided canopy replacements from P. glehnii to A. sachalinensis at less undulated slopes in the sub-alpine forest landscape. Nomenclature: Hayashi et al. (1985).
Evaluating A Safe Space Training for School Counselors and Trainees Using a Randomized Control Group Design

School counselors need to advocate and act as an ally for all students. Safe Space, a training designed to facilitate competency for working with and serving LGBTQ youth (i.e., LGBTQ competency), has received increased attention in the field of school counseling. However, limited empirical support exists for training interventions such as Safe Space, with only one study to date examining its effectiveness for graduate psychology students (see Finkel, Storaasli, Bandele & Schaefer, 2003). This study used a randomized pretest-posttest control group design to evaluate and examine the impact of Safe Space training on competency levels of a sample of school counselors/school counselor trainees and to explore the relationship between LGBTQ competency and awareness of sexism and heterosexism.
Requirement of Gβγ and c-Src in D2 Dopamine Receptor-Mediated Nuclear Factor-κB Activation

The D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) was examined for its ability to mediate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation through G proteins. Stimulation of D2R-transfected HeLa cells with its agonist quinpirole induced the expression of a NF-κB luciferase reporter and formation of NF-κB-DNA complex. This response was blocked by pertussis toxin, and by the Gβγ scavengers transducin and β-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 carboxyl-terminal fragment. Unlike Gi-coupled chemoattractant receptors, D2R activated NF-κB without an increase in phospholipase C-β activity, and the response was only slightly affected by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002). In contrast, treatment with genistein and 4-amino-1-tert-butyl-3-(p-methylphenyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine abolished the induced NF-κB activation, suggesting involvement of protein tyrosine kinases. Activation of D2R led to phosphorylation of c-Src at Tyr-418, and expression of a kinase-deficient c-Src inhibited D2R-mediated NF-κB activation. The D2R-mediated NF-κB activation was not dependent on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor transactivation since 4-(3′-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (AG1478), an EGF receptor-selective tyrphostin used at 1 μM, blocked EGF-induced NF-κB activation but not the quinpirole-induced response. In addition, the D2R-mediated NF-κB activation was enhanced by over-expression of β-arrestin 1. These results suggest that D2R-mediated NF-κB activation requires Gβγ and c-Src, and possibly involves β-arrestin 1.
Evaluation of growth hormone response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in dairy cattle during a 670-day lactation

Plasma growth hormone secretion in response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia was evaluated in cows undergoing an extended lactation. Twelve multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows that calved in late winter and were managed for a 670-day lactation by delaying mating. Four experimental periods of 40 days commenced at ~73, 217, 422 and 520 (±9.1; mean ± s.d.) days in milk (DIM) during which cows were individually offered a diet of perennial ryegrass (73 and 422 DIM) or pasture hay and pasture silage (217 and 520 DIM) supplemented with either 1 kg DM grain (CONT) or 6 kg DM grain (GRAIN). Cows were fitted with jugular catheters during the final week of each experimental period. Seven blood samples over a 24-h period were collected and an insulin tolerance test was performed on each cow using a dose of 0.12 µU insulin/kg liveweight at ~100, 250, 460 and 560 DIM. This resulted in an increase in plasma growth hormone concentration occurring at 100 DIM, an intermediate and delayed response at 250 DIM, and no response at both 460 and 560 DIM. Cows in the CONT treatment had higher basal plasma growth hormone concentrations and tended to have a greater peak growth hormone response than GRAIN cows. The growth hormone response at 100 and 250 DIM is likely a homeorhetic mechanism to support milk yield during early-mid lactation. These observations are consistent with the known actions of growth hormone to promote lipid mobilisation, hepatic glucose production and an overall state of catabolism. With further research, the insulin tolerance test may be a useful tool to identify cows with greater growth hormone secretory response and increased milk production or persistency.
Intertidal seawalls as habitats for molluscs

Coastal urbanization changes intertidal shorelines, by alteration and destruction of natural habitat and addition of new built habitat. In Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, up to 50% of the shoreline is composed of constructed habitat, particularly seawalls. Research has shown that many components of intertidal assemblages live on seawalls, but patterns of abundance and diversity are very variable. Seawalls differ physically from natural shores in a number of ways that are likely to influence distribution and abundances of intertidal molluscs, which are very important determinants of structure of intertidal assemblages. This study examined diversity, abundances and frequencies of occurrence of intertidal molluscs on seawalls and on natural horizontal and vertical shores in numerous locations in Sydney Harbour and in natural boulder-fields and artificial boulder-fields created from rubble of seawalls. On seawalls, assemblages varied between tidal heights and among locations, but when data were combined across locations, there were some general patterns. Sessile bivalves (oysters and mussels) and many limpets were found in similar numbers on both habitats, or patterns varied inconsistently. Many coiled snails, in contrast, including whelks and grazing gastropods, plus opisthobranchs, which were either common or relatively sparse on horizontal shores, were not found on seawalls and found in intermediate frequencies on vertical shores. Similarly, common species of molluscs were found in natural and artificial boulder-fields in similar numbers, or patterns were not consistent, although rarer species were not found in these boulder-fields. Because molluscs are such important contributors to intertidal dynamics, these results have important implications for management of intertidal biodiversity in urbanized and altered environments.
Sowing Date and Plant Population Effects on Seed Yield of Cucurbita pepo

Effects of sowing date and plant population on seed yield of Cucurbita pepo L. were investigated. The experimental treatments included plant population at three levels (0.6, 1.3 & 2.2 plant m -2 ) as the main plot and sowing date at three levels (April 18, 29 & May 9) as the sub-plot. Seed yield per unit area, the number of seeds per fruit, fruits per plant, flowers per plant and auxiliary branches per plant were recorded. The highest seed yield was recorded in plots having 2.2 plant m -2 sown on April 18. Thus, present results revealed that suitable plant density cannot improve yield and yield components of pumpkin if sowing date was delayed. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers
Spermatophore feeding and mating behaviour in praying mantids (Mantodea: Liturgusidae)

In a number of insects, males transfer sperm to females via an externally attached spermatophore, which females subsequently remove and consume. Here I report the first study of spermatophore feeding in a praying mantid. While studies of praying mantid mating behaviour have largely focused on sexual cannibalism, this behaviour is not known in the genus Ciulfina. The general patterns of mating behaviour and spermatophore feeding are described for four species: Ciulfina rentzi, Ciulfina klassi, Ciulfina biseriata and Ciulfina baldersoni. Copulation duration and postcopulatory spermatophore attachment duration were found to vary both inter- and intraspecifically. Ciulfina rentzi exhibited a considerably longer mean copulation duration and a considerably shorter mean postcopulatory spermatophore attachment duration than the other Ciulfina species. Smaller males copulated for longer durations in C. rentzi and C. klassi. For C. baldersoni, both copulation duration and postcopulatory spermatophore attachment duration increased with female mass. The genus Ciulfina is highlighted as an intriguing new system in which to test hypotheses surrounding the function of spermatophore feeding and the significance of copulation duration.