Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of End-of-the-day Red and Far-red Light on Growth and Flowering of Petunia ×hybrida `Countdown Burgundy' Grown under Photoselective Films

The objective of this research was to investigate if brief exposure to end-of-the-day (EOD) red (R) or far red (FR) light can overcome the flowering delay of petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm.-Andr. 'Countdown Burgundy') grown under FR deficient greenhouse environments with no adverse effects on stem elongation. Plants were grown under clear, FR, and R light absorbing greenhouse films (control, A FR , and A R films, respectively) and exposed to R or FR light at the end of the photoperiod for 15 minutes. At flowering, main stem of plants grown under the A R film was about 17% longer and that of A FR film grown plants (without EOD treatment) was about 50% shorter than control plants. EOD-R light reduced stem elongation of control plants but had no effect on A FR or A R film-grown plants. EOD-FR light increased stem elongation in plants grown under A R and A FR films but the percentage increase was greater under A FR film (7%, 19%, and 64% increase in control, A R , and A FR films, respectively). However, plants that received EOD-FR light under A FR film were 25% shorter than control plants that received no EOD light. A FR film delayed flowering by 11 days but A R film had no effect. Fifteen-minute exposure to EOD-R or -FR light had no effect on flowering under control and A FR film. Although the exposure to brief EOD-FR partially increased stem elongation, it was not sufficient to accelerate flowering. Treatments to enhance flowering can cause stem elongation. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid improper crop timing, especially with long-day plants. Greenhouse films that remove far red light (A FR films) have been shown to reduce stem elongation of wide range of ornamental and vegetable plants without chemicals (Cerny et al., 2003; Rajapakse et al., 1999). However, variable response to flowering has been observed under A FR films depending on the plant species. Cerny et al. (2003) reported that A FR films did not affect flowering day- neutral miniature rose (Rosa ×hybrida), while flowering of short-day plants—zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.), and chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum ×grandiflorum Kitam.)—was slightly delayed (1 to 2 d) under the A FR films. Flowering of long-day (LD) plants—snapdragon (Antirrhi- num majus L.) and petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm.-Andr.)—was delayed up to 13 d by the A FR films under weakly inductive photoperiods ( 13 h·d -1 ). The delay in flowering of petunia under weakly inductive photoperiods was attributed to the delay in floral primordia initiation and overall development of the floral meristem under the FR deficient environment. Kubota et al. (2000) and Runkle and Heins (2002) reported that A FR films reduced the stem elongation of petunia, but did not alter time to flower when grown under inductive photoperiods. Gibberellins (GAs) and FR light have been shown to affect the transition from vegetative
Comparing Invasive Plants from Their Native and Exotic Range: What Can We Learn for Biological Control?1

Abstract This article reviews and summarizes data sets that attempt to compare performance, population dynamics, and herbivory of invasive plant species. Specifically, we review results from studies comparing (1) individual and population parameters of plant invaders in their native and exotic range, (2) herbivore pressure and natural enemy guilds associated with plant invaders in their native and exotic range, and (3) performance and defense levels of native and exotic populations of the invasive under standardized conditions and the performance of selected herbivores. We found a total of 39 published and 2 unpublished studies, investigating 40 plant species. The majority of studies within the first category showed that invaders form larger populations, grow denser, have higher reproductive output, larger seed banks, and higher regeneration rates in the exotic compared with the native range. In contrast, plant vigor was not always greater, presumably because of increased intraspecific competition. Nearly all studies within the second category showed that herbivory (percentage of attack, species number and load) was reduced and, if investigated, that the herbivore community shifted from specialists to generalists and from endophagous to exophagous species in the exotic compared with the native range. Under standardized conditions (category 3), an equal number of studies found increased vigor or no significant differences between plants from the exotic and native range. In a few cases, plants from the exotic range grew less vigorous. Specialist herbivores generally preferred or developed better on plants from exotic compared with native populations, which were also better defended. Studies comparing plant invaders at field sites in their native and exotic range or under standardized conditions can help identify factors facilitating successful invasions, which in turn can improve the selection and efficiency of biological control agents and the development of integrated management strategies. We therefore suggest to include comparative studies more frequently in biological control programs and to extend them to include manipulative experiments and comparisons of control agents. Additional index words: Biological weed control, comparative studies, enemy release hypothesis, evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis. Abbreviations: EICA, evolution of increased competitive ability; ERH, enemy release hypothesis.
PROBIOSIS IN SOWS BY ADMINISTRATION OF BACILLUS TOYOI SPORES DURING LATE PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: EFFECT ON THEIR HEALTH STATUS/PERFORMANCE AND ON LITTER CHARACTERISTICS

This study evaluated the effect of oral administration of Bacillus toyoi spores to sows, on their health status and performance, as well as on their litters' characteristics. One hundred and sixty gilts and sows were allocated into two experimental groups, i.e. Controls and Toyocerin (same feeding as the control group plus 0.5 kg of Toyocerin per tone of feed, equal to 0.5x10 9 Bacillus toyoi spores per g of feed). Treatment started from 14 days prior to the expected farrowing and terminated at the day of weaning. Homogeneity of the groups was satisfied with regard to the parity. From the results of the study it was shown that Toyocerin supplementation of the feed decreased sow's weight loss during the suckling period. Certain blood and milk parameters were significantly improved, as shown by higher serum cholesterol and total lipids concentrations and higher milk fat and protein content at mid lactation. As a consequence, a positive effect was also noticed as regards litter health and performance characteristics in terms of the decrease in piglet diarrhoea score, the decrease of pre-weaning mortality thus leading to increase in the number of weaned piglets per litter and the increase in piglet body weight at weaning. Moreover, Toyocerin improved the health status of lactating sows (lower prevalence of dysgalactic sows and sows with MMA syndrome) and tended to improve sow post weaning fertility as shown by the tendency for fewer returns to oestrus.
Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against Uvarovistia zebra (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) via contact and ingestion

The pathogenicity of the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were assessed in the laboratory against the long-horned grasshopper Uvarovistia zebra (Orthoptera: Tetiigoniidae). This is the first account of these entomopathogenic fungi being used against a species from this family. Two isolates Beauveria bassiana DEBI 001and Metarhizium anisopliae 715C were tested separately against field collected third instar nymphs using a topical spray and via ingestion with lettuce inoculated with conidia. The highest concentrations of 1.5×10 8 spores/ml for B. bassiana and 2×10 7 spores/ml for M. anisopliae caused 100% and 53.3% mortality respectively when they were sprayed onto the nymphs. When ingested by insects using lettuce baits inoculated with different conidial concentrations the cumulative mortality caused by B. bassiana at a concentration of 5×10 6 conidia/ml was 30%, whereas M. anisopliae at the same concentration caused 43% mortality. Both species of fungi caused significant mortality of U. zebra by both contact and ingestion.
The human disease network

In this paper, we review the construction, the application, the meaning and the interpretation of the Diseasome network, which enables a systematic connection between the molecular and the phenotype level, and derived models like the human disease network. Further, we are surveying recent conceptual and methodological enhancements that integrate data from diverse sources, e.g., from protein databases or genome-wide association studies. For our review, we assume a “data-centric” view that allows to distinguish different approaches based on the types of data used in a model. In addition, we discuss the need for network-based approaches in medicine.
Isolation and characterization of glyphosate-degrading bacteria from different soils of Algeria

Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) is the most commonly used herbicide worldwide. Due to the concern regarding its toxicity for non-targeted species in soil, finding glyphosate-degrading microorganisms in soil is of interest. The success of this will depend on isolating bacteria with the ability to grow in presence of glyphosate. Five bacterial strains were isolated from different untreated soils of Algeria, the strains were able to grow in a medium containing glyphosate as sole carbon or phosphorus source by enrichment cultures of these soils. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, MALDI-TOF MS and biochemical properties, the best strain amongst them (Arph1) was identified as Pseudomonas putida. This isolate showed the highest growth level in the presence of glyphosate as sole phosphorus source. Arph1 was therefore used for further studies for optimization of cultivation conditions for an efficient glyphosate use. The best result of growth was on 1 g/L of glyphosate in minimal medium supplemented with glutamate with initial pH 9.0 at 30°C at 150 rpm within 168 h. Microbial growth during the study was monitored by measuring the optical density at 620 nm. Arph1 was able to tolerate up to 9 g/L of glyphosate. These results show that the bacterial strain may possess potential to be used in bioremediation of glyphosate-contaminated environments. Key words: Soil pollution, glyphosate-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas putida, optimization, cultivation conditions.
Functional morphology, biology and sexual strategy of the circumboreal, adventitious crypt-building, Crenella decussata (Bivalvia: Mytiloidea: Crenellidae)

The anatomy of Crenella decussata (Mytiloidea) is described. Individuals of this circumboreal species occupy granular crypts composed of sand grains held in place by mucus. The swollen basal region of the tubule is occupied by an individual, which connects to the sediment surface by two posterior tubes accommodating the inhalant and exhalant streams. There is reduction in musculature and, most importantly, anterior foreshortening of the outer ctenidial demibranchs and loss of the labial palps. This creates an anterior space in the mantle for the initial brooding of fertilized ova by females to the prodissoconch stage. Subsequently, these larvae are transferred to the exhalant tube of the crypt wherein they attach by a single fine byssal thread and are further brooded until the crawl-away juvenile stage is attained. Experimental studies of larval behaviour suggest that parental pheromones sustain the female/offspring bond. Newly hatched individuals responded to parental exhalant water by actively attaching themselves using a byssal thread. This response persisted for 28 days, but not after 55 days when, we suggest, the pheromonal response ceases and offspring are developed sufficiently to take up life in their own nests. Offspring retrieved from parental crypts and fed continuously reached an average shell length of 500 μm after 7.5 months. Brooded offspring thus appear to rely on embryonal energy resources until post-metamorphosis, after which suspension feeding becomes essential for further growth and development before the parental crypt is vacated.
UNDERSTANDING THE PREFERENCES OF MILLENNIALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CHICAGO’S SUBURBS

This study evaluates millennials’ preferences and tendencies when choosing where to live. The results indicate that, rather than being evenly spread out across the Chicago metropolitan region, millennial households are located in defined clusters with varying characteristics. Furthermore, this generation prioritizes convenience regarding jobs and amenities to a greater extent than previous generations do; this pivot point with respect to life decisions has broad implications for community leaders, planners and policymakers who are eager to attract these young residents to suburban locations.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF Juniperus phoenicea ssp. phoenicea L. EXTRACTS FROM TWO TUNISIAN LOCATIONS

The antioxidant potency of Juniperus phoenicea ssp. phoenicea leaf extracts from two Tunisian localities was investigated. Total antioxidant activity was determined using an ABTS and DPPH assays. In addition, the content of phenols and total flavonoids were measured in the tested extracts. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts exhibit potent scavenging activities towards ABTS and DPPH radical cations. Whereas, the petroleum ether extracts exhibit a low scavenging activity due to their poverty of total polyphenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant activities exhibited by J. phoenicea ssp. phoenicea depended on the chemical composition of the tested extracts.
Correlation and path analysis in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Correlation and path analysis were carried out in 69 okra genotypes using growth, earliness and yield traits. The results indicated the inverse relationship between growth and earliness characters but strong association between growth and yield characters. Total yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, number of nodes on main stem, fruit length, plant height at 60 and 100 days after sowing (DAS) and number of leaves on 45 and 100, whereas, total yield per plant had negative and significant association with number of locules per fruit, number of nodes at first flowering and first fruiting. Path analysis revealed that average fruit weight, number of nodes on main stem and number of fruits per plant had high direct effect on total yield per plant. Hence, direct selection for average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant is suggested for getting yield improvement.
Inducible Clindamycin Resistance among Clinical Isolates of Staphylococci

Staphylococci cause variety of nosocomical and community acquired infections in every region of the world. Clindamycin is used to treat staphylococcal skin and bone infections due to its excellent tissue penetration and in penicillin allergic patients. But clinical failure of clindamycin therapy has been reported due to multiple mechanisms that confer resistance to macrolide lincosamideand streptogramin antibiotics. This study was undertaken to detect the incidence of inducible clindamycin resistance among clinical isolates of staphylococci. A total of 370 clinical isolates of staphylococci causing skin and superficial infections collected between June 2011 and May 2012 were tested for erythromycin resistance. Erythromycin resistant strains were tested for inducible clindamycin resistance using D test.Among 370 clinical isolates of staphylococci studied, 75 isolates were resistant to erythromycin out of which 26(34.66%) showed inducible resistance and belonged to MLSBiphenotype. Among 26 MLSBi phenotypes 9 isolates were MRSA, 9 were MSSA, 5 were MRCoNs and 3 were MSCoNs.Constitutive resistance was shown by 24 isolates (32%) of erythromycin resistant isolates. 25 (33.33%) strains were sensitive to clindamycin.The test for inducible resistance to clindamycin should be included in routine laboratory testing as it will help in guiding therapy.
INVERTEBRATES INHABITING CULINARY HERBS GROWN UNDER COVER

The study contains the list of invertebrates collected from culinary herbs (Allium schoenoprasum, Anethum graveolens, Anthris- cus sp., Petroselinum crispum, Coriandrum sativum, Artemisia dracunculus, Eruca sativa, Melissa officinalis, Mentha arvensis, Mentha xpiper- ita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus sp.) in greenhouses, under plastic-film covers, and at mother farms. The study provides information about the times of the year when these invertebrates settle on the herbs, and about the specific character of cultivating such plants. Even a few individual arthropods on culinary herbs cannot be tolerated and eliminating arthropods by using chemicals is unacceptable. For these reasons, those plants on which the arthropods have settled must be removed from greenhouses and destroyed. Biological pest control is also recommended. Some species of the observed invertebrates are encountered in a greenhouse year-round (Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Ovatus mentharius, Aulacorthum solani, Eupteryx sp., Trialeurodes vaporariorun, larvae of Thysanoptera) while others appear only during the periods of spring migrations (Cavariella aegopodi) or autumn migrations (Aphis fabae, Dysaphis crataegii, butterflies from the subfamily Hadeninae). Peppermint had already been inhabited by O. mentharius on mother farms, and O. mentharius probably hibernated on farms as well. Potted peppermint seedlings brought from mother farms to greenhouses had already been inhabited by that aphid species. Some invertebrates were asso- ciated with a substrate (Sciaridae) while the appearance of others coincided with the development of algae (Ephydridae: Scatella sp.).
Role of Predator Odor in Roost Site Selection of Southern Flying Squirrels

Abstract Roost site selection should be influenced, in part, by predator avoidance strategies. Prey species may use olfactory cues to assess predation risk. Our objective was to determine if southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) use olfaction for assessing predation risk and selecting safe roosting sites. We tested the response of captive flying squirrels to several scents placed inside nest boxes. Squirrels spent significantly less time overnight in nest boxes scented with fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) fur, bobcat (Lynx rufus) fur, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) urine, raccoon (Procyon lotor) fur, king snake (Lampropeltis getula), and corn snake (Elaphe guttata) than unscented (control) boxes. Nest boxes with gray squirrel (S. carolinensis) fur, red fox urine, raccoon fur, and corn snake scent were selected as daytime roosting sites less than would be expected by chance. Southern flying squirrels are a major usurper of red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) cavities and may reduce reproduction in this endangered bird. Our results indicate that predator odor may be an effective means of deterring flying squirrels from roost sites. If so, predator scent application could be utilized to reduce negative impacts of flying squirrels on red-cockaded woodpeckers. (WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN 34(1):144–149; 2006)
Host Mortality and Progeny Production by Solitary and Gregarious Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Attacking Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) at Varying Host Densities

Abstract Relationships between host density and mortality of house fly, Musca domestica L. , and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), caused by Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders, Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan & Legner, Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan & Legner, and Trichomalopsis sarcophagae Gahan were determined. Host mortality varied with host density and was highest when pupae were exposed to M. zaraptor followed by M. raptor, M. raptorellus, and T. sarcophagae. The relationship between host density and mortality was unaffected by host species for M. raptor and M. zaraptor; however, M. raptorellus killed a higher percentage of stable fly pupae and T. sarcophagae killed a higher percentage of house fly pupae. Residual mortality was higher on stable fly pupae than house fly pupae for M. zaraptor and M. raptorellus. The percentage of pupae with parasitoid emergence was reduced on stable fly pupae only for M. zaraptorand T. sarcophagae compared with house fly pupae. The gregarious species M. raptorellus and T. sarcophagae superparasitized pupae at low host densities and produced high numbers of progeny per female even at low host densities. Progeny production by T. sarcophagae was low on stable fly pupae compared with house fly pupae. The proportion female showed either no change or a small increase as host density increased for Muscidifurax species; however, T. sarcophagae had a greatly reduced proportion female at low host densities on house fly pupae. The number of female progeny per female parasitoid increased with host density for all parasitoid species except for T. sarcophagae parasitizing stable fly pupae. The reduced sex ratio of T. sarcophagae and low host mortality at low host densities suggested this species offers no advantage in terms of rearing efficiency, whereas the Muscidifurax species would be more efficient for rearing and release.
Genetic Diversity in Brassica Cultivars under Deficiently Buffered P-Stress Environment: II. Percent Distribution of Biomass and P-Concentration, P-Stress Factor and P-Utilization Efficiency

Phosphorus (P) availability is notoriously low and after nitrogen often limits primary productivity in many natural systems as well as cropping systems, unless applied as fertilizer. P-deficiency is more critical in highly withered soils as well as alkaline calcareous environments. Plants growing in apparently infertile environments are often classified as 'efficient' rather than being viewed in the ecological context as the plant best capable of the utilizing the available resources. In addition to improved P-acquisition efficiency, there are possibilities to enhance P-utilization efficiency (PUE). According to an estimate, PUE can be enhanced 25%, by employing the current knowledge of PUE traits. Nevertheless, Plants species and cultivars display classical array of adaptive traits under P-starvation and rational analysis of these traits highlight the ability of plants to adapt and thrive under P-stress environment by sensing, solublizing and scavenging of Pi from sparingly soluble P sources or from P-sorbing soils. To elucidate the genetic diversity among Brassica cultivars in relation to percent distribution of biomass and P- concentrations (P) in plant parts, P-stress factor (PSF) and P-utilization efficiency (PUE), 14 hydropnoically grown cultivars were evaluated in solution culture experiment conducted under climatically controlled growth chamber. One week old uniform sized pre-germinated seedlings were transplanted in solution containing NH4H2PO4 (AP) @ 200 µM P L -1 as an adequate (control) level and Jordan rock- phosphate (RP) @ 2 g L -1 in a bid to maintain deficiently buffered P-stress environment throughout entire growth period. Tested cultivars showed substantial genetic variations in percent distribution of biomass and (P) in plant parts, PSF and PUE. P-stress caused preferential distribution of dry matter and (P) to roots as compared to the shoot indicated by strong positive correlation between RDM and root-(P). P-stress induced with RP caused 16% more assimilate partitioning to the roots as compared to control. Cultivars were characterized and classified in terms of efficiency and responsiveness by using shoot dry matter, PUE and PSF. From ordination plot, it is plausible to conclude that efficient-responsive cultivars such as 'Con-1', 'Brown Raya', Rain Bow' 'Poorbi Raya', and 'Dunkled' are suitable for growing under P-stress environments. (The Journal of American Science. 2007;3(2):64-72). (ISSN: 1545-1003).