Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dairy Manure Compost Effects on Corn Silage Production and Soil Properties

Accumulation of dairy manure compost has created a need to identify alternative uses for this plant nutrient source. This field study determined compost effects on corn (Zea mays L.) silage production, nutritive value, and soil characteristics for three growing seasons following incorporation of dairy manure compost at 0, 35, 70, and 105 Mg dry matter (DM) ha -1 . Yields from subplots receiving annual split applications of supplemental inorganic N at 224 or 336 kg ha -1 yr -1 were not different. Compost at 35 Mg ha -1 with supplemental inorganic N fertilizer produced equivalent amounts of DM to that of conventional inorganic fertilizer (IF: 336-49-93 kg ha -1 , N-P-K) for the first 2 yr. By the third year, the IF treatment produced 17% more DM than the 105 Mg compost treatment (pooled across N rates). Corn silage nutritive values generally did not differ among compost and IF treatments. By the third year, compost applications >35 Mg ha -1 raised soil pH 2.3 units and increased electrical conductivity (EC) 50% compared to IF. Three years after compost application, soil P and K concentrations were still greater in plots receiving 70 and 105 Mg compost ha -1 compared to both the check and IF plots. Soil organic matter (OM) increased with compost rates over 35 Mg ha -1 the first season after application, but did not differ after the second season compared to IF. Compared to IF, dairy manure compost can improve soil nutrients for 3 yr; however, it can also increase soil EC and pH, which may be beneficial or detrimental.
A Comparision of Methods to Determine Dry Matter in Silages

Abstract Dry matter (DM) contents of 90 silages were determined by 1) toluene distillation (corrected for volatile fatty acids and ethanol in the distillate), 2) gas chromatography, 3) Karl Fisher titration, and 4) oven-drying at 65°C. The mean DM content of silage as determined by Karl Fisher titration (33.6%) was higher than values obtained by other methods. Values of DM determined by gas chromatography (31.8%) were similar to those determined by toluene distillation (31.3%) but higher than those obtained by ovendrying (31.0%). The highest correlation (r = 0.9928) among DM values was between those determined by gas chromatography and those determined by Karl Fisher titration. However, higher values for DM content obtained with the Karl Fisher titration method and the potential health hazard of toluene utilization suggest that gas chromatography is a better choice to determine precisely DM content in silages. Karl Fisher titration is a simple and rapid method that requires less sophisticated equipment than does gas chromatography and would be more practical for some laboratories. Oven-drying could be acceptable to determine DM in a large number of samples used for farm purposes.
Gas exchange and leaf ultrastructure of tinnevelly Senna, Cassia angustifolia, under drought and nitrogen stress

Choice of crops is limited in dry agro-ecosystems. Senna, Cassia angustifolia Vahl, a tropical medicinal plant, has potential as a dryland crop. This study was conducted to investigate gas exchange and leaf surface ultrastructural responses of senna to drought and foliar-applied nitrogen under greenhouse conditions. Drought was imposed cyclically as four, 1-wk spells by withholding water. Additional nitrogen was provided as a foliar treatment of 1% (w/v) urea at the end of each of first three drought cycles. Drought-stressed plants had the same net photosynthesis (P net ) as well-watered plants until the leaf water potential dropped below approximately -0.8 MPa. Leaf water potential of approximately - 2 MPa completely suppressed P net . Foliar nitrogen treatment increased P net > 30% in both water-stressed and well-watered plants. Intrinsic water use efficiency was unaffected by cyclic drought. Leaf area per plant increased 156% because of foliar nitrogen treatment in well-watered plants but remained unchanged in drought-stressed plants. Stomatal count per leaflet decreased 25% or more because of drought regardless of foliar nitrogen treatment on either abaxial or adaxial leaf surface. Foliar nitrogen treatment decreased adaxial but increased abaxial stomatal count regardless of drought treatment. Trichome count was more than eight times greater on the abaxial than the adaxial leaf surface under any treatment combination. Adaxial trichome number increased under drought, but decreased under nitrogen treatment. Abaxial trichome count increased because of drought only in plants deprived of nitrogen treatment. Maintenance of high carbon gain and water use efficiency, drought deciduousness, and plasticity in stomatal and trichome counts under both drought and nitrogen stress appeared to confer stress tolerance in senna.
Efficacy of tricaine methanesulphonate and clove oil as anaesthetics for juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum

Six experiments were designed to determine the optimal anaesthetic dosage of tricaine methanesulphonate (TMS) and clove oil that could be used safely on juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum of two sizes [G1=4.9±0.8 g; G2=13.9±3.1 g]. We documented the stage of anaesthesia and the acute toxicity as 96 h LC50 (lethal concentration 50% population) at various exposure times of the two anaesthetics. At 10 min induction time, the TMS 96 h LC50 was 93.9 mg L−1 in G1 and 97.0 mg L−1 in G2. Compared with clove oil, the 96 h LC50 was 60.0 mg L−1 in G1 and 69.8 mg L−1 in G2. The difference between the two groups (G1, G2) did not influence anaesthesia safety (P>0.05). Rachycentron canadum achieved stage 3 anaesthesia more rapidly at a lower clove oil concentration level (40 mg L−1, 10 min) than TMS (60 mg L−1, 10 min), but the recovery period of clove oil, was significantly longer. Clove oil was the most effective in reducing the short-term stress induced by routine biometry (20 mg L−1, 10 min) and also by transporting (1 mg L−1, 8 h). Whereas, for long-term exposure, 40 mg L−1 TMS was found to be safe.
CYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF NUCLEOTIDYL CYCLASES IN AORTIC ENDOTHELIUM AND SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL

We demonstrated the localization of adenylate cyclase (ACLase) and guanylate cyclase (GCLase) activities in rat aortic endothelium and smooth muscle cells using a recently improved cytochemical method introduced by Fujimoto et al. (16). Cytochemical effects of some agents (isoproterenol, propranolol, acetylcholine, methylene blue) on cyclase activity were also examined with the direct incubation method in vivo employing the perfusate added with such agents utilizing the unique location of the aorta.On the endothelial cell, reaction products indicating ACLase and GCLase activities were localized on the cytoplasmic side of: a) the membrane covering the caveolae and vesicles of both luminal and abluminal surfaces, b) the abluminal plasma membrane underneath the mass of stress fiber-like structure, and c) the gap junctional membrane; and localized around the centriole. On the other hand, the basal activity of GCLase in the smooth muscle cell was intense in comparison with that of ACLase, and the reaction products of both cyclases' activities were localized on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane covering the caveolae, the gap junction, the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and on the dense bands, the myosin-like filaments and the centriole. ACLase activity in the endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell was activated by isoproterenol and partly inhibited by propranolol. GCLase activity was stimulated by acetylcholine and fairly reduced by methylene blue in both cell types.Here, we discuss the assessment of our method and the implications of cytochemical localization of cyclase activity in relation to the functional aspects in endothelium and smooth muscle cells.
Enraizamento de estacas de castanha-de-cutia com uso de ácido indolbutírico

The oily cutia nut ( Couepia edulis Prance) is native to amazonian uplands and most frequent in the State of amazonas. The propagation of the species is usually by seed, but the process is long, as the seed may take 18 months to germinate. Vegetative propagation can be the solution for production of seedlings. This study evaluated the use of IBa in the vegetative propagation of C. edulis, using different types of cuttings and IB a concentrations, in an experimental design with randomized blocks, using a 4 x 3 factorial, with 4 types of cuttings and 3 IBa concentrations (0, 3,000 and 6,000 mg L -1 ). at the end of the evaluations, the best emission of shoots occurred in the concentrations of 0 mg L -1 and 3.000 mg L -1 of IBa. The emission of shoots was better in herbaceous cuttings without leaves and in semi-woody cuttings. The best callus formation occurred in the control and in the herbaceous cuttings with whole leaves and half leaves. The emission of roots was slightly better in the cuttings without the use of IBa and in the concentration of 6.000 mg L -1 . The best emission of roots occurred in the herbaceous cuttings with
Registration of Four Aluminum-Tolerant Winter Wheat Germplasms and Two Susceptible Near-Isolines

wheats tested in Aberdeen, only Fieldwin (ash content: 3.7 g kg-) had a lower ash content than Idaho 266 (ash content: 3.8 g kg-). Flour protein content of Idaho 266 has been lower than Penawawa and similar to Fieldwin and Owens at Aberdeen in 4 yr of trials. Idaho 266 and Owens had similar grain protein percentages in 5 yr of testing at Ontario, OR. In Western Regional testing, Idaho 266 has been similar to Penawawa for cookie quality and inferior to Penawawa for sponge cake quality. Testing at Aberdeen indicates that Idaho 266 has cookie quality similar to Fieldwin and superior to Penawawa. Seed of Idaho 266 will be maintained by the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Small quantities of seed may be obtained by writing to the corresponding author.
Development and Release of Late Blight-Resistant Tomato Varieties ‘Meru’ and ‘Kiboko’

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary is among the most economically important diseases of tomato. The use of host–plant resistance offers a potentially cost-effective and environmentally sound complementary disease management strategy for incorporation into tomato late blight integrated pest management (IPM). Late blight resistance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was derived from S. pimpinellifolium and introgressed into highland-adapted tomato already resistant to Fusarium wilt, root-knot nematodes, tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Evaluation and selection for durability of late blight resistance, yield, and other horticultural traits was done in a controlled environment at AVRDC, The World Vegetable Center headquarters in Shanhua, Taiwan, and under field conditions at the Regional Center for Africa in Arusha, Tanzania. Four lines were subjected to multilocational trials with a local check at 5 sites representing 4 agroecological zones. Two of the best performing lines with enduring resistance to late blight, LBR19-2 and LBR44-2, were released as new varieties in Tanzania under trade names ‘Meru’ and ‘Kiboko’ in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Evolution of female sperm-storage organs in the carrefour of stylommatophoran gastropods

The presence of specialized female sperm-storage organs has been recognized as an important factor influencing postcopulatory sexual selection via sperm competition and cryptic female choice in internally fertilizing species. We morphologically examined the complexity of sperm-storage organs in the carrefour (spermatheca and fertilization pouch) in 47 species of stylommatophoran gastropods. We used partial 28S rDNA sequences to construct a molecular phylogeny, and applied maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods to investigate the history of spermatheca diversification and to test different hypotheses of sperm-storage organ evolution. The phylogenetic reconstruction supported several gains and losses of spermathecae. Moreover, a complex spermatheca was associated with the occurrence of love darts or other kinds of auxiliary copulatory organs, the presence of a long penial flagellum, and cross-fertilization as the predominant mating system. However, our results also suggest associations of carrefour complexity with body size, reproductive strategy (semelparity versus iteroparity), reproductive mode (oviparity versus ovoviviparity), and habitat type. Carrefour length in 17 snail species possessing a spermatheca was positively correlated with sperm length. Our results indicate that postcopulatory sexual selection as well as life history and habitat specificity may have influenced the evolution of female sperm-storage organs in hermaphroditic gastropods.
GROWTH OF THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE GILT FROM BIRTH TO PUBERTY

Growth of the ovaries, uterus and oviducts was determined in groups of four gilts on the day of birth and at 2-wk intervals from 42 to 168 days of age, and in six gilts on the day after puberty. Ovarian and uterine growth from birth to 168 days was described by cubic regressions (R2 = 0.841 and 0.772, respectively). Changes in the growth pattern occurred after 70 days. Ovarian weight increased up to 112 days and then remained constant until puberty. The number of small (1- to 3-mm diam.) and large (> 3-mm diam.) vesicular follicles reached constant levels by 140 days. At puberty there was a decline in the number of small and large follicles. Oviduct weight and length increased between 70 and 112 days and then remained constant until puberty when a further increase in weight and length occurred. The rate of uterine weight and length increase changed between 70 and 84 days, followed by a continual gradual increase in weight to day 168, while uterine length remained relatively constant. At puberty there was .
Studies on the Chromosome Morphology and Structural Hybridity in the Genus Clematis

In the present study the chromosome number of 25 Clematis species, hybrids and horticultural forms is given. One of them was tetraploid, 2n=32, one hexaploid, 2n=48, and the rest diploids with 2n=16.The karyotypes of twenty-two of these Clematis forms were analysed more or less in detail, and it was found that the diploid chromosome complements were in every case very uniform. In all of them the following chromosome-types could be distinguished: five pairs of V-formed chromosomes viz. A, B, C, D, and E, the subterminally constricted F pair and the G and H pairs with an almost terminal constriction. The two lastnamed ones being generally provided with a satellite. In the tetraploid C. mandschurica and the hexaploid C. paniculata a corresponding number of different types was present.In five plants the satellite chromosomes were heteromorphic, and indication of amphiplasty was observed.Ten of the Clematis forms studied were inversion heterozygotes is respect to one or more inversions. In consequence hereof during the reduction divisions chromatid bridges, fragments and other irregularities, as for instance univalents and lagging chromosomes, appeared.A special attention was paid to the relation between the structural changes and the fertility of the plant. It could be stated, that in forms with a pronounced structural hybridity the pollen was bad and that these forms therefore could be propagated only asexually. The amount of such chromosomal alterations and the grade of fertility are in Clematis, comparably to that in tulips, in a reversed relationship to each other.
Increasing Prevalence of Unique Mutation Patterns in H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus HA and NA Glycoproteins from Human Infections in Egypt

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus (HPAIV) continues to be a candidate of a further influenza virus pandemic. Egypt is the country worst affected by human cases of HPAIV H5N1 infection in 2009. Increased infection of preschool children and decreased mortality rates suggested subtle changes in the epidemiology of the infection. Among other factors, the evolution of several conspicuous viral genetic markers in the HA and NA genes of HPAIV H5N1 viruses of human cases from Egypt and their putative influence on biological virus characteristics described here may contribute to this situation.
Larvae of northern European Hydroporus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

A key is presented to the third‐instar larvae of twenty‐seven northern European species of Hydroporus Clairville. Based on reared specimens from northern Sweden, the third‐instar larva is described for the first time for seven species: H.neglectus Schaum, H.scalesianus Stephens, H.acutangulus Thomson, H.glabriusculus Aubé, H.puberulus LeConte, H.tristis (Paykull) and H.incognitus Sharp. In the descriptions leg chaetotaxy is emphasized and a distinction is made between primary and secondary setae. Plesiomorphic and apomorphic states are determined for a set of twelve larval characters, and their distribution among the twenty‐seven known species is given. Character distribution is analysed with respect to the phylogenetic status of some subgenera, and it is concluded that both Sternoporus Falkenström and Hydroporinus Guignot are junior subjective synonyms of Hydroporus (s.str.). Larval characters are presented also for a selection of some other hydroporine species and their phylogeny is discussed. With respect to larval morphology, Hydroporus is seemingly the most primitive genus of the European Hydroporini, with H.neglectus and H.scalesianus as its most primitive species. The genus Metaporus Guignot is identified as the probable sister‐group of Hydroporus.
The effects of Daphnia on nutrient stoichiometry and filamentous cyanobacteria: a mesocosm experiment in a eutrophic lake

1. Stoichiometric theory predicts that the nitrogen : phosphorus (N : P) ratio of recycled nutrients should increase when P-rich zooplankton such as Daphnia become dominant. We used an enclosure study to test the hypothesis that an increased biomass of Daphnia will increase the relative availability of N versus P sufficiently to decrease the abundance of filamentous cyanobacteria. The experiment was conducted in artificially enriched Lake 227 (L227) in the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), north-western Ontario, Canada. Previous studies in L227 have shown that the dominance of filamentous, N-fixing cyanobacteria is strongly affected by changes in the relative loading rates of N and P. 2. We used a 2 × 2 factorial design with the addition or absence of D. pulicaria and high or low relative loading rates of N and P (+NH4, –NH4) in small enclosures as treatment variables. If Daphnia can strongly affect filamentous cyanobacteria by altering N and P availability, these impacts should be greatest with low external N : P loading rates. The phytoplankton community of L227 was predominantly composed of filamentous Aphanizomenon spp. at the start of the experiment. 3. Daphnia strongly reduced filamentous cyanobacterial density in all enclosures to which they were added. The addition of NH4 had only a small impact on algal community composition. Hence, we conclude that Daphnia did not cause reductions in cyanobacteria by altering the N : P ratio of available nutrients. 4. Despite the lack of evidence that Daphnia affected filamentous cyanobacteria by altering the relative availability of N and P, we found changes in nutrient cycling consistent with other aspects of stoichiometric theory. In the presence of Daphnia, total P in the water column decreased because of an increase in P sedimentation. In contrast to P, a decrease in suspended particulate N was offset by an increase in dissolved N (especially NH4). Hence, dissolved and total N : P ratios in the water column increased with Daphnia as a result of differences in the fate of suspended particulate N versus P. There was minimal accumulation and storage of P in Daphnia biomass in the enclosures. 5. Our experiment demonstrated that Daphnia can strongly limit filamentous cyanobacterial abundance and affect the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. In our study, changes in nutrient cycling were apparently insufficient to cause the changes in phytoplankton community composition that we observed. Daphnia therefore limited filamentous cyanobacteria by other mechanisms.
The TEM-3 β-lactamase, which hydrolyzes broad-spectrum cephalosporins, is derived from the TEM-2 penicillinase by two amino acid substitutions

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the blaT-3 gene of plasmid pCF04 which confers resistance to penicillins and most cephalosporins by mediating the production of TEM-3 β-lactamase. The deduced amino acid sequence of TEM-3 differed in two positions from that of the TEM-2 penicillinase: Lys (TEM-3) for Glu (TEM-2) at position 102, and Ser (TEM-3) for Gly (TEM-2) at position 236 of the unprocessed protein. Examination of the location of the two modified amino acids of TEM-3 in the tertiary structure of class A β-lactamases suggested that they both are part of the substrate binding site. Analysis, by in vitro recombination, indicated that each mutation contributes to the extented substrate range of the enzyme, compared to that of the TEM-type penicillinase, and that the strength of the promoter of blaT-3 is responsible for high-level resistance towards broad-spectrum cephalosporins of strains producing TEM-3.
Phytoplankton Species Successions and their Hydrological Environment at a Coastal Station off Sydney

Phytoplankton species occurrence was studied during 1978-1981 at a coastal station off Sydney and succession patterns were sought using polythetic agglomerative classification analysis. Three major phytoplankton categories were distinguished: (1) a large group of species (including most nanoplankton), which were present throughout the year; (2) a group of diatom species, which bloomed following episodic nutrient enrichments in spring, early summer, autumn and winter; (3) a group of warm-water species (e.g. Trichodesmium), which were associated with admixture of tropical water masses. Gross features of the phytoplankton cycle in these waters are related to the erratic flow pattern of the East Australian Current. However, clear short-term (4-14 weeks) species successions were evident within the spring and summer diatom blooms. These began with small diatoms (Asterionella, Leptocylindrus, Skeletonema, Thalassiosira) followed first by large diatoms (Detonula, Rhizosolenia, Stephanopyxis) and then by large dinoflagellates (Ceratium, Protoperidinium). This sequence is identical to that observed in coastal waters of other parts of the world. A phytoplankton checklist (280 species) for Sydney coastal waters is included as an appendix.
Diurnal variation in light intensity underneath floating macrophyte leaves and implications for the behaviour of plant-attached zooplankton

Light regulates vertical and horizontal movements of free swimming zooplankton due to its effects on the feeding efficiency of visual predators. The role of light in regulating the behaviour of zooplankton periodically attached to floating plant leaves is unknown. The behaviour of such zooplankters cannot be predicted from studies on free-swimming pelagic species, because the floating leaves modify the light environment. Therefore, we explored the daily variations in the factors that govern the intensity of light underneath floating objects, i.e. light intensity in the air, the proportion of light transmitted to the water and refraction of light at the air–water boundary. We show that due to the combined effects of these factors the intensity of light underneath macrophyte leaves may decline temporarily at noon when the solar altitude is highest, allowing attached zooplankton to switch into the swimming mode. The noon minimum does not take place under circumstances where the maximum solar elevation angle remains so low that the low proportion of light transmitted to the water (high proportion of reflected light) negates the effects of increasing the nadir angle of refracted light. The density of zooplankters attached to the lower surfaces of floating macrophyte leaves should thus often show two maxima, one between sunrise and noon and another between noon and sunset.