Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Punch planting, flame weeding and stale seedbed for weed control in row crops

Punch planting is introduced as a new method to reduce weeds within rows in organically grown crops. In this method a hole is punched in the soil, and a seed is dropped into it, without seedbed preparation and soil disturbance outside the hole. In two years, punch planting with flame weeding, normal planting with flame weeding and normal planting without flame weeding were compared in fodder beet for five planting dates. Each planting date represented a lag-period since establishment of the stale seedbed. Over all planting times and years, punch planting with flame weeding reduced intra-row weed densities by 30% at the 2-4 leaves stage of fodderbeet compared to normal drilling with flame weeding. Punch planting with flame weeding also reduced intra-row weed densities by 50% compared to normal drilling without flame weeding. There was no generally improved performance of punch planting with flame weeding over years by later planting, but delayed planting reduced intra-row weed densities significantly. Over two years, 240 day degrees Celsius (four weeks) planting delay reduced intra-row weed densities in the range of 68% to 86% depending on plant establishment procedure. Punch planting with flame weeding offers a promising method of weed control in organic farming. "This is a preprint of an Article accepted for publication in Weed Research © 2003 European Weed Research Society. For further information on Weed Research please refer to www.blackwellpublishing. com/wre"
Environmental constraints and the physiology of performance in squids

The highly active squid which inhabit the pelagic zones of continental seas are characterized by high energy requirements and have been termed invertebrate athletes. In this paper, the physiological and biochemical background of muscular performance in squid from different environments is reviewed and the physiological and environmental factors limiting performance levels are addressed. One important factor is the highly concentrated haemocyanin which, in ommastrephid squid, and by virtue of their extreme pH dependence, helps to load oxygen efficiently in the gills and unload it fully into the tissues. Squid regulate their extracellular pH more efficiently than intracellular pH, so protecting the haemocyanin from fatal pH changes. However, a large proportion of the oxygen requirement in the mantle muscle must still be provided by oxygen uptake through the skin. Anaerobic mechanisms become involved beyond critical swimming speeds once oxygen supply to mitochondria becomes limiting. Onset of anaerobiosis al.
Ecotypic variation in selenium accumulation among populations of Stanleya pinnata.

• Ecotypic variation in selenium (Se) hyperaccumulation in plants is reported here among populations of Stanleya pinnata (Brassicaceae), which has a broad biogeographical range in the western USA. • In a glasshouse study, Se and sulfur accumulation were examined in 16 populations of S. pinnata. Plants grown from seed (collected from sites representing the species range) were subjected to five treatments differing in selenate (SeO4 2- ) and sulfate (SO4 2- ) concentrations. • The populations differed in shoot Se concentration by 1.4- to 3.6-fold, depending on the treatment, and these concentrations were positively correlated with the indigenous soil Se levels at the collection sites. Shoot S concentrations varied by less than two-fold, and did not correlate with the shoot Se levels. All populations accumulated SeO4 2- preferentially over SO4 2- . By contrast, Brassica juncea seedlings grown in a similar solution series consistently accumulated SO4 2- preferentially over SeO4 2- . Biomass production differed up to three-fold between populations. • S. pinnata is a primary Se accumulator, but populations exhibit significant ecotypic differences in Se accumulation. Environmental concerns about Se are common, and the broad adaptation of S. pinnata makes it an attractive candidate for phytoremediation.
Accuracy and standardization of brachyuran larval descriptions

Summary There is a need for improvement and standardization in larval descriptions for them to become useful not only for identification purposes but also in comparative and phylogenetic studies. Details of the rearing technique and equipment used should be given, the spent female crab and representative larval stages need to be deposited at a national museum and a minimum of five specimens of each stage should be used for meristic and morphometric criteria. Diagnostic features of the carapace, all appendages, abdomen, and other characters that are to be included in a standard larval description are presented with specifications concerning format and sequence of substructures. Typical configurations of larval structures are given and some possible exceptions are described. Guidelines for illustrations including the preparation, size, sequence and arrangement of figures are provided.
Influence of Feeding Full-Fat Flax and Sunflower Seeds on Internal and Sensory Qualities of Eggs

Abstract The present study was carried out to examine the influence of feeding full-fat oil seeds on the sensory quality of fresh eggs and the internal quality of eggs during a 6-wk storage period. White Leghorn laying hens, 16 mo of age, were fed diets containing either 15% flax seed (FLAX), 18% high oleic acid sunflower seed (HOAS), 21% regular, high linoleic acid sunflower seed (HLAS), or 3% animal tallow (control). Feeding oil seeds had no adverse effects on the Haugh units of eggs at any point of storage. Yolks from the FLAX regimen had the highest color index and those from HOAS the lowest when measured by comparison to the Roach yolk color fan. The Haugh units decreased whereas the yolk color index increased during 6 wk storage. The sensory quality of fresh eggs (stored for less than 2 wk at 4 C) was evaluated in two independent studies using hard-cooked eggs. Feeding two types of sunflower seeds had no effect on the sensory traits of the egg. Both studies revealed that eggs from the FLAX regimen had lower preference (hedonic) scores (P
Effect of Processing and Cooking Methods on the Chemical Composition, Sugars and Phytic Acid of Soybeans

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of processing (soaking and germination) and cooking methods (ordinary cooking and autoclaving) on the chemical composition, sugars and phytic of two varieties soybean seeds, Giza, 21 and Giza, 35. The processing and cooking methods caused increase in both protein and crude fiber contents. Meanwhile, crude oil and carbohydrates contents were decreased of the studied soybean seeds. Generally, the processing and cooking methods resulted in a decrease of raffinose, stachyose, verbascose, maltose and sucrose accompanied by an increase in glucose. These resulted revealed that the processing (soaking and germination) and cooking methods (ordinary cooking and autoclaving) was more effective in eliminating the contents of oligosaccharides and phytic acid in both varieties soybean seeds.
Prediction of pharmacokinetics of CS-023 (RO4908463), a novel parenteral carbapenem antibiotic, in humans using animal data

The pharmacokinetics of CS-023 (RO4908463, formerly R-115685), a novel parenteral carbapenem antibiotic, in humans was successfully predicted using the data collected from mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs; while inclusion of the monkey data led to a significant underestimation of the total plasma clearance (CL). Double logarithmic plots of CL and distribution volume at the steady-state (Vss) vs. body weight in four animal species were linear with high correlation coefficients; and the predicted CL and Vss values in humans agreed well with the observed values after administration of CS-023 by an intravenous drip infusion for 30 min. The plasma concentration–time profile in humans, which was predicted using a bi-exponential equation fitted to a complex Dedrick plot of the animal data, approximated the observed profile. An underestimation of CL caused by including the monkey data in a prediction is quite likely due to the net tubular reabsorption in monkeys, but not at least in rabbits, dogs, and humans.
Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmitted primarily by inhalation of aerosolized droplets containing the organisms. There is an infection of the respiratory tract and the tubercle bacilli spread via lymphatic system and bloodstream to many different organs. Generally, the pulmonary tuberculosis infections are asymptomatic and a positive skin test result is the only indication of it. Approximately 10% of infected individuals develop active disease. Immunosuppression caused by systemic diseases or medication increases the risk of developing tuberculosis. In addition to the pulmonary tract, tuberculosis may affect many organs and systems, including lymph nodes, larynge, middle ear, genitourinary tract, musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, pericardium, and skin. Ocular involvement is an uncommon event in tuberculous infection, and there are several presentations involving the iris, ciliary body, choroid, retina and optic nerve. The diagnosis is based in the detection of mycobacteria in fluids and tissues. If there is no available material for analysis, a presumptive diagnosis is made and therapeutic test initiated. The therapy is based in anti-tuberculous drugs and corticosteroids. The standard treatment protocol in Brazil includes isoniazid, rifampim, and pyrazinamid for two months, followed by isoniazid and rifampin for four months for susceptible organisms. Alternative regimens are necessary in the presence of drug resistance.
DIVERSITY AND IMPLICATIONS OF SOYBEAN STEM NITROGEN CONCENTRATION

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] shoot nitrogen (N) traits are important for seed production and may hold potential for improving seed yield and quality. Field experiments were established to survey shoot N traits in i) plant introductions, ii) a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, and iii) modern cultivars. A wide range of N concentrations was observed at beginning seed fill for leaves, petioles, and stems and at maturity for stems. Significant genotypic variations in stem N traits were found in modern cultivars and the RIL population. Molecular marker analysis identified multiple loci associated with stem N concentration. Significant relationships between various tissue N traits and seed yield and quality were also observed. These results illustrate the importance of N dynamics in vegetative tissues for soybean yield and seed composition. The observed variation in N traits indicates that selecting for vegetative N traits could potentially increase yield and improve seed quality.
Rapid Tests of Wheat Nutritive Value for Growing Chickens

Abstract Two series of broiler chicken feeding experiments quantified the differences in growth performance of broiler chickens fed either six different U.K. wheat cultivars from one harvest year or six wheat samples that comprised two cultivars (Dean and Beaver) each grown in three harvest years. Differences in broiler growth performance were compared to four rapid tests of wheat quality (specific weight, Hagberg falling number, water-extract viscosity and endosperm hardness) and the determined true metabolisable energy. Broilers fed the cultivar Dean had higher ( P P P P P >0·05) reduction in unaccountable variation from including both variables in a multiple regression analysis. The measurement of endosperm hardness by near infra-red spectroscopy is rapid and has the potential to be used to discriminate nutritive value between wheat samples on their arrival at poultry feed mills.
Frequency and site-dependent variations in vibration detection thresholds on the face

An adaptive psychophysical procedure was used to estimate the vibration detection threshold at seven spatially matched sites on the two sides of the face and at one scalp site. Repeated measurements over six testing sessions were made for stimuli vibrating at 1, 10 and 100 Hz for each of 21 neurologically healthy, young adult females. Approximately 14 stimulus trials were required to obtain each estimate of the threshold amplitude. Thresholds varied as a function of frequency ( p < 0.0001), side ( p < 0.001) and site ( p < 0.0001). Compared to stimulation at 100 Hz at which the estimates were lowest, thresholds were 3.1 times greater at 10 Hz and 5.4 times greater at 1 Hz. Thresholds were lowest on the vermilion and highest on the cheek and chin. The preauricular skin and scalp exhibited an intermediate level of sensitivity. Whereas thresholds were comparable on the two sides of the face for stimulation at 1 Hz, they averaged 1.33 times greater on the right side for stimulation at 10 and 100 Hz. Moreover, thresholds obtained during the last two sessions were 16% higher than those obtained during the first two sessions ( p < 0.02), suggesting that subjects on average became more conservative in reporting the presence of the stimulus. The sensitivity in discriminating differences in tactile function favors use of the rapidly administered testing procedure in a clinical setting.
Density-Dependent Selection and Character Displacement

A model is proposed to study the effect of natural selection on a metrical character subject both to selection for an optimal value and to density-dependent selection due to competition. The model incorporates the idea that competition is more severe between phenotypically similar individuals, perhaps through resource specialization. This may explain the maintenance of genetic variability in the population despite the tendency of optimizing selection to eliminate it. This suggestion is examined mathematically, and I show that the population will tend to evolve by shifting its variance until it reaches a critical value at which the direct effect of selection on the phenotypic variance is minimized. Numerical results show that genetic variability can be maintained in the population under this model, but that quite a high degree of differential competition (or resource specialization) is required. The model is then extended to two noninterbreeding populations as a model of character displacement through competition between species. It is shown that character displacement will occur if the phenotypic variance is less than the critical value defined above. The amount of character displacement likely to occur under this model is investigated. If the optimizing selection is entirely due to an external, environmentally determined optimal value then the predicted displacement is less than the amount usually observed, but if most of the optimizing selection is determined by the genetic rather than the external environment then character displacement of the observed order of magnitude is predicted.
Genomic composition factors affect codon usage in porcine genome

The objective of the study was to determine the codon usage bias in the porcine genome and decipher its determinants. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of codon bias, the coding sequence (CDS) from the swine reference sequence (ssc10.2) was extracted using Biomart. An in house built Perl script was used to derive various genomic traits and codon indices. Analysis was done using R statistical package, and correlations and multivariate regressions were performed. We report the existence of codon usage bias that might suggest existence of weak translational selection. The codon bias is feebly related to nucleotide composition (GC%, GC3, CDS length). This study can be explored for designing degenerate primers, necessitate selecting appropriate hosts expression systems to manipulate the expression of target genes in vivo or in vitro and improve the accuracy of gene prediction from genomic sequences thus maximizing the effectiveness of genetic manipulations in synthetic biology. Key words: Coding sequence, synomynous codons, selection, translational mutation, pig genome
State monitoring of a population system in changing environment

For Lotka-Volterra population systems, a general model of state monitoring is presented. The model includes time-dependent environmental effects or direct human intervention (treatment) as control functions and, instead of the whole state vector, the densities of certain indicator species (distinguished or lumped together) are observed. Mathematical systems theory offers a sufficient condition for local observability in such systems. The latter means that, based on the above (dynamic) partial observation, the state of the population can be recovered, at least near equilibrium. The application of this sufficient condition is illustrated by three-species examples such as a one-predator two-prey system and a simple food chain.
Influence of plant growth and root architecture of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) on N recovery during winter

Nitrate () leaching is an environmental and health concern. In grazed pasture systems, leaching primarily occurs beneath animal urine patch areas due to high nitrogen (N) loading and the inability of pasture plants to capture all of this N. This study investigated the relative importance of plant growth and root architecture to recover soil N. Herbage N recovery, dry matter (DM) yield and root architecture, following injections of 15N-enriched urea at different soil depths (5, 25 and 45 cm), were measured for Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown in soil monolith lysimeters (18 cm diameter × 70 cm depth) under simulated South Island, New Zealand winter temperature and light levels. Total herbage N uptake and DM yield were on average 24 and 48% greater in L. multiflorum than F. arundinacea respectively. Root length density (cm cm−3 soil) in the 5- to 25-cm-depth horizon was similar between species. In the 25- to 45-cm-depth horizon, F. arundinacea roots were found at higher densities than L. multiflorum. In the 45- to 65-cm-depth horizon, root length density was fourfold to ninefold higher for F. arundinacea than L. multiflorum, but N uptake efficiency was greater in L. multiflorum (0·48 mg 15N m−1 root) than F. arundinacea (0·09 mg 15N m−1 root). The results suggest that deep F. arundinacea roots are relatively inactive during the winter period and confirm that plant growth is more important than root architecture (e.g. deep roots) to recover soil N and ultimately reduce nitrate leaching losses.
A multi-faceted approach for quantifying the estuarine-nearshore transition in the life cycle of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas

Understanding the ontogenetic habitat linkages of sharks is important for conservation and managing human interactions. We used acoustic telemetry, catch data, elemental and stable isotope signatures and dietary analyses to investigate ontogenetic habitat use in south-east Queensland, Australia, by the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, a IUCN 'near-threatened' species that is implicated in many shark attacks on humans in urban estuaries. Sequential analyses for delta(15)N and delta(13)C of vertebrae from five adult C. leucas and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) for elemental composition from 23 C. leucas, including a pregnant female, were also used to trace ontogenetic habitat dependence. Acoustic telemetry indicated large juvenile and subadult C. leucas remained in estuarine habitats. delta(15)N values across shark vertebrae showed an ontogenetic shift in diet with total length (TL), confirmed by stomach contents. LA-ICPMS data reflected the ontogenetic movements of C. leucas from natal habitats. Differences among adults were gender related. Shifts in habitat use by subadults were correlated with a sigmoidal delta(13)C relationship with TL. C. leucas have a multipartite, stage-specific dependency in their transition between habitats along the freshwater-estuarine-marine continuum, making them particularly susceptible to the habitat alteration that is occurring globally.
The Relative Importance of Biotic and Abiotic Controls on Young Conifer Growth After Fire in the Klamath-Siskiyou Region

Abstract In the Klamath-Siskiyou region of northern California and southwest Oregon, the mixed-severity fire regime and short fire return interval has created diverse vegetative landscape with frequent regenerating patches of forest vegetation. Considerable evidence from this region suggests that intense competition from neighborhood vegetation can greatly reduce the survival and growth of young conifers following severe site disturbance, including fire. However, relatively little information exists regarding the growing conditions one to three decades following disturbance, particularly in unmanaged stands. We measured the effects of neighbor-hood vegetation on regenerating Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) growth in northern California, 10-20 years following severe wildfires. Steep climatic gradients owing to complex topography in the region can cause significant variation in local temperatures, levels of precipitation, and solar radiation; thus our measurements were dispersed across two abiotic environmental gradients, elevation and heat load. We used a nested sampling design to elicit the tree-level effects of neighborhood vegetation, the plot-level effects of elevation and heat load, and the interactions among tree-level and plot-level variables on Douglas-fir growth. We used a combination of of hierarchical regression models and non-parametric, multiplicative regression modeling for 3-dimensional graphical data presentation. Our results indicate that conifers are exposed to both positive (facilitative) and negative (competitive) neighborhood interactions depending on location in the abiotic environmental landscape. However, growth appears to be much more sensitive to abiotic environmental conditions than to the effects of neighborhood interactions. Considering the spatially explicit patterns in our data, we suggest that site-specific conditions play a significant role in the development of post-fire forest management strategies in the Klamath-Siskiyou region.
Characterization of new microsatellite loci for the ring‐tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

In this report we describe the development and characterization of six dinucleotide microsatellite loci for the ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ). The new markers were isolated from the genomic DNA of L. catta and all loci were found to be polymorphic when evaluated by genotyping a minimum of 34 individuals. Mendelian inheritance of each locus was verified using four families of captive ring-tailed lemurs. The loci presented will facilitate the genetic survey of free-ranging L. catta , enabling study of their social organization and mating patterns.