Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of fertilizer nitrogen, white clover content and environmental factors on the nitrate content of perennial ryegrass and ryegrass/white clover swards

In a field experiment carried out over 3 years, the nitrate content of herbage from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) swards increased exponentially with nitrogen application rate, but herbage nitrate content appeared to reach potentially dangerous concentrations only when nitrogen application rates were greater than those needed to stimulate dry-matter production. Thus, on average over all the harvests, maximum yield could be obtained with annual application rates of 400 kg N ha ‐1 (six applications of 67 kg N ha ‐1 ) for perennial ryegrass and 300 kg N ha ‐1 (six applications of 50 kg N ha ‐1 ) for perennial ryegrass/white clover (Trifolium repens) swards, whereas the mean nitrate concentrations were 3340 and 2929 mg NO3 kg ‐1 dry matter (DM) respectively. Nitrate content, however, varied considerably from harvest to harvest, reaching maxima of 9345 mg NO3 kg ‐1 DM at 400 kg N ha ‐1 for perennial ryegrass and 6255 mg NO3 kg ‐1 DM at 300 kg N ha ‐1 for perennial ryegrass/white clover. The nitrate content of herbage from perennial ryegrass/ white clover swards was always greater than that of perennial ryegrass swards receiving the same rate of nitrogen application, even though in the herbage from the mixed sward the nitrate content of white clover was usually less than half that of the perennial ryegrass component. The physical environment did not have a clearly interpretable effect on nitrate content, although herbage harvested in May had a much lower nitrate content than that harvested at any other time of the season. It was not possible to find a single multiple regression equation relating herbage nitrate content to nitrogen application and to other environmental variables that explained more than 60% of the variance in herbage nitrate, but it is suggested that, by reducing the later-season nitrogen applications from 67 to 50 and finally to 33 kg N ha ‐1 for perennial ryegrass and from 50 to 33 kg N ha ‐1 for perennial ryegrass/white clover, it would be possible to achieve over 90% of the maximum yield while reducing average nitrate content to <40% of that at maximum yield, with no samples containing more than 2300 mg NO3 kg ‐1 DM.
Effects of Sowing Date, Nitrogen and Seed Rate on Wheat Yields in the Sudan Gezira

SUMMARY A three-year study of the effects of sowing date, nitrogen application and seed rate on wheat showed that sowing in mid-October gave consistently greater grain yields than sowing in mid-September or mid-November because grains were larger and more numerous per head. Nitrogen increased yields but the effect decreased with later sowing. Nitrogen probably increased grain yield by increasing the number of ears, but this effect diminished with higher levels of nitrogen. Grain yield was only slightly influenced by seed rate, and the interaction of seed rate with sowing date or nitrogen was unimportant.
Investigation of the molecular and morphological variability in Batrachospermum arcuatum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) from geographically distant locations

Vis M.L. , Feng J., Chiasson W.B. , Xie S. -L. , Stancheva R. , Entwisle T.J., Chou J.-Y. and Wang W. -L. Investigation of the molecular and morphological variability in Batrachospermum arcuatum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) from geographically distant locations. Phycologia 49: 545–553. DOI: 10.2216/10-04.1 Phylogeographic patterns in Batrachospermum arcuatum were investigated using the mitochondrial intergenic spacer between the cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 and 3 (cox2-3 spacer) from locations worldwide. Sixteen locations were sampled in six regions as follows: three locations in Bulgaria, two in China, three in the northwestern United States, one in New Zealand, six in Hawaii and one in Taiwan. Sequencing of 107 individuals resulted in 12 haplotypes. In the United States and Bulgaria, there was considerable sequence divergence among haplotypes. Likewise in the Hawaiian Islands, there was variation among haplotypes, and each island appeared to have a single haplotype represented. Three closely related haplotypes were present at the Taiwan location. The New Zealand sample was identical to one of the haplotypes from the northwestern United States. Individuals representing the 12 cox2-3 spacer haplotypes were sequenced for the rbcL gene. In the combined analysis, the Hawaii and Taiwan samples were a well-supported clade as were two Bulgaria samples. The US and New Zealand haplotypes formed a well-supported clade and likewise the China samples, but the relationship of the third Bulgaria haplotype to these others was unresolved. The specimens showed morphological variation among localities and regions, but no morphological features appeared to be diagnostic of the molecular results. Batrachospermum arcuatum appears to be a widespread taxon with considerable morphological plasticity that does not coincide with the substantial molecular variation. Alternatively, B. arcuatum may harbour cryptic species. There appears to be a temperate origin of the taxon and a derived group of haplotypes from tropical regions.
Aplicação de 1-metilciclopropeno, cloreto de cálcio e quelato amino-cálcico em melão cantaloupe minimamente processado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da aplicacao pos-colheita do 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e dois sais de calcio, na firmeza e na qualidade visual do melao cantaloupe minimamente processado, armazenado por 18 dias; a aplicacao foi feita individualmente ou de forma combinada. Dois grupos de frutos, um deles exposto ao 1-MCP (300 nL L-1), foram cortados em cubos e imersos em agua destilada ou em solucoes com 1% de Ca, na forma de cloreto de calcio ou de quelato amino-calcico (Ca-quelado), colocados em embalagens de plastico e armazenados em atmosfera ambiente (5±1oC e 90±5% RH), por 18 dias. Avaliaram-se, imediatamente apos a aplicacao dos tratamentos e a cada tres dias, ate o decimo oitavo dia de armazenamento: aparencia visual, coloracao, firmeza da polpa, solidos soluveis, acidez titulavel e pH. As aplicacoes individuais ou combinadas de 300 nL L-1 1-MCP, cloreto de calcio ou de Ca-quelado preservaram a qualidade visual inicial e reduziram o amaciamento das amostras. A aplicacao de Ca-quelado aumentou o efeito do 1-MCP sobre a firmeza, apos nove dias de armazenamento, enquanto a imersao em cloreto de calcio aumentou a firmeza das amostras, durante todo o periodo de armazenamento. O Ca-quelado pode ser utilizado como alternativa para a manutencao da firmeza do melao cantaloupe minimamente processado.
Adubação, produtividade e rentabilidade da rotação entre soja e milho em solo com fertilidade construída

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of fertilization on P and K levels in soil with improved fertility, and to identify N, P, and K doses needed to provide the greatest profitability in a rotation between soybean and corn in these soils. The experiment was carried out for three harvest seasons, in a farm with high technological investment, in a clayey Oxisol from Cerrado with high fertility. A randomized complete block design was used, in a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Treatments consisted of 0, 50, 100, and 150% of the recommended rates of NPK on sowing (plots), and of KCl (soybean) and N (corn) at topdressing. Even after three harvests, P (Mehlich-1) contents remained unchanged in the soil without fertilization. Moreover, soybean yield did not decrease in the absence of fertilization. However, corn was more sensible to the reduction of fertilization, with the maximum economic return obtained with 312 kg ha ‑1 of the 10-32-10 fertilizer formulation, and of 263 kg ha ‑1 urea at topdressing. Soils with improved fertility demand adjustments of fertilization management for the efficient use of fertilizers in crops with high technological investment.
Production of Dairy-Based, Natural Sulphur Flavor Concentrate by Yeast Fermentation

Production of sulphur flavor concentrate by yeast fermentation was investigated using dairy media (milk and cream) spiked with L-methionine. The yeasts studied included so-called dairy yeasts Candida kefyr, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Debaryomyces hansenii, Geotrichum candidum, and Yarrowia lipolytica as well as wine yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus. Methionol was produced as the predominant volatile sulphur flavor compound. Other volatile sulphur flavor compounds produced were dimethyl disulphide, S-methyl thioacetate, 3-methylthio-1-propanoic acid, methional, 3-methylthio-1-propene, and ethyl 3-methylthio-1-propanoate. In addition, numerous other volatile flavor compounds were produced, including ethanol, branched-chain alcohols, aromatic alcohol, ethyl esters, branched-chain esters, branched-chain fatty acids, and branched-chain aldehydes. The sensory attribute of a methionol sulphur flavor concentrate in cream is concentration-dependent, ranging from a savory-slight potato note to a strong potato-savory note to a cooked cheese-potato note.
New insights in phytanic acid metabolism and toxicity

The 3-methyl-branched fatty acid phytanic acid is degraded by the peroxisomal αoxidation route since the 3-methyl group blocks β-oxidation. In Adult Refsum Disease (ARD) peroxisomal α-oxidation is defective, which is caused by mutations in the gene coding for phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase in the majority of ARD patients. As a consequence, phytanic acid accumulates in tissues and body fluids. This study focuses on an alternative route of phytanic acid degradation, i.e. ω-oxidation. The first step in ω-oxidation is hydroxylation at the ω-end of the fatty acid, catalyzed by a member of the cytochrome P450 multi-enzyme family. In order to study this first step, the formation of hydroxylated intermediates was studied in rat liver microsomes incubated with phytanic acid and NADPH. Two hydroxylated metabolites of phytanic acid were formed, viz. ωand (ω-1)-hydroxyphytanic acid (ratio of formation 5:1). Formation of ω-hydroxyphytanic acid was NADPH dependent and inhibited by imidazole derivatives. These results indicate that phytanic acid undergoes ωhydroxylation in rat liver microsomes and that an isoform of cytochrome P450 catalyzes the first step of phytanic acid ω-oxidation.
Depth distribution and composition of seed-banks in alien-invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetation

South African fynbos vegetation is threatened on a large scale by invasive woody plants. A major task facing nature conservation managers is to restore invaded areas. The aim of this study was to determine the restoration potential of fynbos following dense invasion by the Australian tree Acacia saligna. The impacts of dense invasion on seed-bank composition and depth distribution were investigated to determine which fynbos guilds and species have the most persistent seed-banks. Soil samples were excavated at three different depths for invaded and uninvaded vegetation at two sand plain and mountain fynbos sites. Seed-banks were determined using the seedling emergence approach. Invasion caused a significant reduction in seed-bank density and richness at all sites. There was a significant, but smaller, reduction in seed-bank density and richness with soil depth at three sites. Seed-bank composition and guild structure changed following invasion. Low persistence of long-lived obligate seeders in sand plain fynbos seed-banks indicates that this vegetation type will be difficult to restore from the seed-bank alone following alien clearance. The dominance of short-lived species, especially graminoids, forbs and ephemeral geophytes, suggests that regenerating vegetation will develop into a herbland rather than a shrubland. It is recommended that seed collecting and sowing form part of the restoration plan for densely invaded sand plain sites. As seed density remained higher towards the soil surface following invasion, there is no general advantage in applying a mechanical soil disturbance treatment. However, if the shallow soil seed-bank becomes depleted, for example following a hot fire through dense alien slash, a soil disturbance treatment should be given to exhume the deeper viable seed-bank and promote recruitment.
Benthic macrofauna richness and diversity in the Knysna Estuary: a 50 year comparison

A study was initiated in 1997 to assess the diversity, distribution and density of the benthic macrofauna of the soft intertidal sediments of the Knysna Estuary using the same collecting sites and methods reported by Day, Millard & Harrison in 1952. A two-way ANOVA has shown that there is no difference between species richness of belt transects reported in 1952 and 1997. A significant increase in species diversity as measured by the Shannon-Weiner Index (H') in quantitatively sampled sediments in the Zostera zone between 1952 and 1997 is due, it is argued, to intermittent increases in suspensoids in the water column, as a result of poor land-management practices in the catchments of the streams which have run into the estuary during this 50 year period.
Changes in Vegetation Cover Explain Shifts of Colony Sites by Little Terns (Sternula albifrons) in Coastal Portugal

Abstract. The availability of suitable breeding habitats is an important factor in explaining seabird demographic fluctuations. For ground nesting seabirds, such as Little Terns (Sternula albifrons), an essential characteristic in determining suitability of breeding habitats is vegetative cover. This study evaluated whether the long-term fluctuations (1979–2014) in Little Tern breeding numbers on sandy beach colonies of Ria Formosa, Algarve, Portugal, could be explained by changes in vegetation cover at each sandy beach colony, environmental variability (measured by the climatic North Atlantic Oscillation index), or a combination of both. The percentage of vegetation cover for each sandy beach was calculated from aerial photos of Ria Formosa barrier islands from 1976 to 2012, and related to breeding census data from the same period. The climatic variation measured by the North Atlantic Oscillation index did not show a significant relationship with the number of breeding pairs nesting on each sandy beach colony. A segmented regression model constructed to model the effect of vegetation cover on the number of breeding pairs on sandy beaches found an optimal vegetation cover of around 10% and an overall breakpoint of 42%vegetation cover; the model predicted that only ∼4% of breeding pairs would endure with 90% vegetation cover and none would endure with 92% vegetation cover. Little Terns in Ria Formosa appear to adopt a fugitive strategy, moving their colonies to locations with better breeding conditions in response to the overgrowth of vegetation.
Absorbing incident ultraviolet light decreases landings by Diptera and Hymenoptera on flowering Chamaesyce albomarginata (Torr. & A. Gray) Small (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract. The reliance of insects on ultraviolet (UV) light in nature is not well known, despite a general understanding of how insects detect UV. Chamaesyce albomarginata (Torr. & A. Gray) Small is a mat-forming euphorb common in southwestern deserts that produces small, flower-like cyathia. The plant's small size, flatness, and abundant insect visitors enabled experimentally testing the dependence of flies, bees, and wasps flying to the plant on UV light. Most insects landing on plants were minute bombyliid flies in Mythicomyia Coquillet, 1893 and Nexus Hall & Evenhuis, 1987, andrenid bees in Perdita Smith, 1853, and sphecid wasps in Solierella Spinola, 1851. Ultraviolet light is absorbed by leaves on C. albomarginata, reflected slightly more by cyathia, and moderately reflected by surrounding substrate. Decreasing UV contrast between plants and surrounding substrate by covering substrate with clear UV-absorbing film, compared with clear UV-transmitting vinyl, did not affect numbers of insects landing on plants. Placing the same film approximately 20 cm above plants and surrounding substrate decreased numbers of insects landing by 68% compared with the vinyl. Diptera and Hymenoptera responded similarly by flying beneath the UV-absorbing film and approaching plants less frequently. Absorbing UV from incident light illuminating plants appeared to eliminate a visual cue used by insects for locating flowering plants. The most likely visual cue eliminated was the pattern of polarized UV in skylight.
Quantitative Trait Loci for Soybean Seed Yield in Elite and Plant Introduction Germplasm

Genetic improvement for yield in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] has been accomplished by breeding within a narrow elite gene pool. Plant introductions (PIs) may be useful for obtaining additional increases in yield if unique and desirable alleles at quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be identified. The objectives of the study were to identify QTL for yield in elite and PI germplasm and to determine if the PIs possessed favorable alleles for yield. Allele frequencies were measured with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in three populations, designated AP10, AP12, and AP14, that differed in their percentage of PI parentage. AP10 had 40 PI parents, AP12 had 40 PI and 40 elite parents, and AP14 had 40 elite parents. Four cycles of recurrent selection for yield had been conducted in the three populations. Allele frequencies of the highest-yielding C4 lines in the three populations were compared with the parents used to form the populations of the initial cycles. Allele flow was simulated to account for genetic drift. Fifty-four SSRs were associated with 43 yield QTL. Seven of the QTL had been identified in previous research. Sixteen favorable marker alleles were unique to the PI parents. The genes associated with the unique PI alleles merit further investigation for their potential to increase yield of soybean cultivars.
A Remarkably Small Species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Endemic to the Succulent Karoo of South Africa

ABSTRACT The scorpion fauna of southern Africa is very diverse, especially in the arid western half of the subcontinent. New species continue to be discovered as the region is surveyed with ultraviolet light detection methods. The present contribution describes Uroplectes ansiedippenaarae sp. n. , which is endemic to the Succulent Karoo Biome in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The new species appears to be most closely related to U. variegatus (C.L. Koch, 1844), which is endemic to the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape Province. Uroplectes ansiedippenaarae sp. n. is the smallest species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861, and among the smallest scorpion species in southern Africa, with adults ranging from 16–20 mm in total length. The addition of this new species raises the number of Uroplectes species and subspecies in South Africa to 19, and the number of endemics to 10.
Sex Attraction and Copulation in Chiloplacus Symmetricus (Nematoda: Acrobelinae)

Sex attraction was observed in the free-living nematode Chiloplacus symmetricus. Males were strongly attracted to female secretions but females did not respond to male secretions. Males were not attracted to 4th-stage female juvenile secretions and 4th-stage male juveniles were unresponsive to adult female secretions. Hence, only adult females produce sex attractants and only adult males respond to them. Males orienting to female secretions show different behavioural responses involving numerous non-directional turnings (klinokinesis) as well as a direct approach (klinotaxes). During copulation, the male coiled its posterior end around the female while the spicules probed for the vulval opening. The female took no active part in pairing.
Morphological and Microscopical Examination of the Rat Brachial Plexus

The rat brachial plexus was studied morphologically and the average numbers of the fascicles were studied by light microscope. For this purpose, we used 30 Wistar albino adult rats (16 males, 14 females; 180-250 g). The rats were anaesthetized by urethane (0.6 ml/100 g body weight injected i.p.). The brachial plexus was prepared for the microdissection technique and was evaluated in terms of its formation. Sections of the origin level of roots (C5, C6, C7, C8 and Th1) and the terminal branches (ulnar, median, radial (musculospiral), axillary (circumflex), and musculocutaneous nerves) were taken and the average numbers of fascicles were calculated. The results of our investigation show that the rat brachial plexus is formed by the inferior primary divisions of the last four cervical and the first thoracic of the spinal nerves (C5, C6, C7, C8 and Th1). C4 might join with C5, but we did not observe a connection between the Th2 and Th1. The diameters of the roots and terminal branches of the brachial plexus were approximately 0.5-1.2 mm and 0.5-1.1 mm, respectively. The numbers of fascicles for the roots and terminal branches were calculated to be approximately 2-4 and 1-4, respectively.
In vitro Propagation of Gentiana lutea

The viability of seed Erythroxylum coca Lam. and Frythroxylum novogranatense (Morris) Hieron. var. novo-grana tense, upon storage was evaluated by measuring percent germination of seed stored at 4°C for 32 days. Seeds were harvested from plants grown under greenhouse conditions. On the day of harvest, pericarps (pulp) were mechanically removed (depulped) from 50 seeds of each species. The remaining harvested seeds were stored at 4°C. The 50 depulped seeds were surface sterilized with a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, washed 3 times with deionized water, and blotted dry with tissue paper. The seeds were placed in 15 cm petri dishes containing one layer ofWhatman *2 filter paper and 5 ml of deionized water were added to imbibe the seed. Seeds were imbibed for 24 h and water remaining in the petri dish was removed. Five milliliters of deionized water were added to the petri dishes to continue seed imbibition. Deionized water was removed and replaced daily for three weeks, at which time percent germination was determined. Fifty seeds of each species were removed from storage every 4 days (for 32 days) and treated as described above. Seed germination (emergence of the radical) was used as a measure of seed viability. Seed
Seasonal changes in elevation and habitat use of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Northern Japan Alps

Habitat use by Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) was examined in the Northern Japan Alps where distinct changes in the vegetation occur with elevation. Seven bears (three males and four females) were radio-tracked for five years. Home range size varied from 32 to 123 km2, and bears used habitats at elevations between 600 m and 3,000 m. Bears used higher elevations (2,100 to 2,300 m) in summer (from July 1 to September 10), and lower elevations (1,000 to 1,500 m) in autumn (three months after September 10). Bears foraged in subalpine birch forests, avalanche chutes, or the alpine zone in summer, but moved to the deciduous broad-leaved forests of the montane zone in autumn. Bears spent little time in mid-elevation (2,000 m) coniferous forests. Seasonal movements among habitats at different elevations are likely necessary for survival in marginal alpine habitats.