Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver tumor potency indicators for technical toxaphene and congeners simulating weathered toxaphene

ABSTRACT Technical toxaphene (TT) is a liver tumor promoter in B6C3F1 mice but not in F344 rats. To further evaluate dose-response relationships for weathered toxaphene, B6C3F1 mouse hepatocytes were treated with TT alone, five selected persistent congeners (p-26, p-50, p-62, Hx-Sed, and Hp-Sed), or two selected congener mixtures (simulating weathered toxaphene) and dose-response relationships were characterized for cytotoxicity and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) inhibition. Phenobarbital was included as a positive control for mouse liver tumor promotion and GJIC inhibition and dose ranges were calibrated to define benchmark dose concentrations. Each treatment group exhibited significant cytotoxicity and GJIC inhibition for at least one sex (M/F) after 3 and/or 24 h of treatment. Maximum GJIC inhibition was observed at certain noncytotoxic concentrations with sex-specific differences in relative potency estimated as the effective concentration at 20% inhibition (EC20); however, no significant EC20 differences were observed between the treatment groups. Analysis of mixture interactions at the EC20 showed that GJIC inhibition of the two weathered toxaphene mixtures was significantly less than additive compared to that for the component congeners. These findings suggest that the persistent toxaphene congener mixtures tested are not more tumorigenic than the parent insecticide mixture.
Apparent Survival and Long-Term Population Growth Rate of The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus in Mallorca, Archipelago, Spain

Summary. During the last few decades, many breeding waders have been declining worldwide, probably due to the reduction of suitable coastal habitats. Diagnosis of population parameters has become increasingly important for the conservation of waders. We used capture-recapture information of 214 adult Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus, marked between 1977 and 2015 at two breeding areas in Mallorca, Spain, to assess any possible temporal trend in the survival probability. Mean adult survival probability was 0.756 ± 0.05 with no differences between the two areas. The sparseness of the data did not permit robust estimates of yearly survival. However, models with a temporal trend in survival probability were not retained. An age-structured population model including demographic stochasticity suggested a stable population (λ = 1.024 ± 0.09). Perturbation analyses indicated that a 10% increase in mean breeding success (from 0.44 to 0.63), by reducing habitat loss or nest predation, would be sufficient to obtain positive population trajectories. —Garcias, P.J. & Tavecchia, G. (2018). Apparent survival and long-term population growth rate of the Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus in Mallorca, Balearic Archipelago, Spain. Ardeola, 65: 59–68.
Bio-management of cucumber wilt complex caused by root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in polyhouse under protected cultivation.

A polyhouse study was conducted to determine the potential of biocontrol agents viz. Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Paecilomyces lilacinus) @ 0.3 and 0.5 g/kg soil and liquid formulation of bioagents, (T. viride + P. fluorescence + P. lilacinus) @ 0.5 and 1 ml/ kg soil, against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum disease complex on cucumber. Three main treatments, viz., nematode alone, fungus alone and both inoculated simultaneously were taken. Chemical checks with Bavistin @ 2 g/ l water and carbofuran @ 0.1 mg/ kg soil as well as untreated check were also maintained. Fungus was grown on sand maize meal medium. Soil was autoclaved and infested with root-knot nematode (1000 J2/ kg soil) and fungus (50 g/ kg soil). The bio-agents were mixed with the potted soil treatment wise. A waiting period of three days was given for multiplication of bioagents on the organic matter before sowing. All the treatments significantly improved the plant growth parameter, viz., shoot length (SL), root length (RL), fresh shoot weight (FSW), fresh root weight (FRW), dry shoot weight (DSW) and dry root weight (DRW) as compared to untreated check. However, maximum improvement in plant growth parameter was recorded in case of carbofuran @ 0.1 mg /kg soil followed by higher dose liquid formulation of bioagents. Bavistin was least effective among all the treatments against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum disease complex.
Defining functional groups and their vulnerability to the edge effect in a peri-urban forest in Mexico City

SUMMARY The expansion of human settlements and primary-sector activities (agriculture and forestry) has resulted in the fragmentation of forests, but the impacts of this are still poorly understood. We examined the effect of patch size on the presence of plant functional groups along an edge–interior gradient. Plant species were classified based on a two-way indicator species analysis in order to determine their establishment thresholds and vulnerability along the gradient, while detrended correspondence analyses and canonical correspondence analyses were performed to identify environmental gradients related to vegetation distribution. Two groups of plant species were recognized in all patch sizes: one commonly found towards the edge and the other in the interior zone. The incidence of these groups was correlated with environmental factors associated with the edge–interior gradient, mainly with humidity, soil moisture and light (canopy opening and global site factor) in the edge zone and with litter cover, depth of litter, slope and soil and air temperature in the interior zone. Identifying the species’ threshold responses to fragmentation is key, as they provide tools to prevent the potential local extinction of species.
Uptake, Translocation, and Metabolism of Chlorimuron in Soybean (Glycine max) and Morningglory (Ipomoea spp.)

The uptake, translocation, and metabolism of the ethyl ester of chlorimuron in three soybean cultivars and two morningglory species was investigated. Soybean used included the normal cultivars ‘Vance’ and ‘Essex,’ and the sulfonylurea-resistant cultivar ‘W-20. ’ Entireleaf morningglory and pitted morningglory, both moderately tolerant to chlorimuron, were used. Twenty-day-old seedlings of all plant species were exposed to root-applied 14C-labeled chlorimuron for 6, 24, and 72 h. After 24 and 72 h, chlorimuron uptake was lowest in W-20 soybean and the two morningglory species. Translocation of root-absorbed chlorimuron to shoots and leaves of all species was limited and it did not differ among species. The moderate tolerance of pitted and entireleaf morningglories to chlorimuron may be due to reduced herbicide uptake. The response of Essex and Vance soybean to chlorimuron was related to herbicide metabolism. At 6 h after treatment with radiolabeled chlorimuron, Essex soybean metabolized the herbicide more rapidly than either W-20 or Vance soybean. At 24 h and 72 h, Essex and Vance soybean metabolized chlorimuron to the same extent. W-20 was not very efficient in metabolizing chlorimuron at any time after treatment and its resistance to chlorimuron is due to an altered target site.
Control of Yellow and Purple Nutsedges (Cyperus esculentus and C. rotundus) in Nursery Crops

Experiments were conducted to evaluate selective herbicides for yellow and purple nutsedge control in nursery crops. Chlorimuron at 0.03 and 0.06 kg ai ha−1 suppressed yellow and purple nutsedge shoot growth either PRE or POST and did not reduce growth of barberry, Burford holly, Compacta holly, azalea, juniper, or photinia, although shoot tip chlorosis was noted in all species except Burford holly and juniper. Imazaquin at 0.25 and 0.5 kg ha−1 and imazethapyr at 0.06 and 0.21 kg ha−1 reduced growth of azalea. Imazethapyr also reduced growth of barberry, juniper, and photinia. Chlorimuron, imazaquin, and imazethapyr inhibited liriope and daylily growth. Pyridate applied at 1.0 and 2.0 kg ha−1 POST did not control purple nutsedge. Pyridate and flurtamone applied POST did not control yellow nutsedge as effectively as chlorimuron, imazaquin, or imazethapyr. Flurtamone at 0.5 and 1.0 kg ha−1 applied PRE or POST controlled purple nutsedge. Both pyridate and flurtamone visibly injured most nursery crops tested, although plants generally outgrew the damage.
Spontaneous cover crop characterization is relevant to define a sustainable soil management strategy in vineyard

Spontaneous cover cropping is a common practice in Mediterranean vineyards because it is often seen as less competitive and easier to manage than sown covercrops. However, the services provided by the spontaneous flora highly depend on the species, these latter being influenced by the soil management practices. This study analyzes the specific and functional composition of the vineyard flora as influenced by three soil management strategies. To do so, weed cover was sampled at 5 dates during two years after the settlement of the experiment in a vineyard in the South of France. The three soil management treatments were: a control treatment (C) corresponding to a spontaneous cover regularly mowed, a spontaneous cover with organic amendment application each year (OF) and a green manure (Vicia faba) sown in autumn and incorporated at budburst (GM). 122 different species corresponding to 27 families, were identified (25 to 41 different species per treatment at a date), with only five species in more than 50% of the quadrats, while a majority of species, 85 out of 122 were present in less than 10%. The functional approach allows characterizing spontaneous vegetation according to species trait values and the ecosystem services they may provide: for example, the species being uncompetitive for vineyards while improving soil fertility are Crepis foetida and Lactuca serriola. On the contrary, species such as Geranium rotundifolium are more competitive and less interesting for soil fertility. This study contributes to a first identification of the soil management practices that can drive the trajectories of the spontaneous flora towards the best composition, hereby contributing to design more sustainable grapevine systems.
Evaluation of polanga (Calophyllum inophyllum) oil cake as a non-conventional ingredient in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerling feed

In the present study, polanga ( Calophyllum inophyllum ) oil cake (POC) was evaluated as a non-conventional ingredient in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerling feed. Proximate composition and fatty acid analysis of POC indicated that it can be a good source of protein (24.2%) and energy (4.4 kcal g -1 ). Fatty acid analysis indicated that it is dominated by monoenes (39%) followed by saturates (28.42) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 (27.76%). Further, phenol, tannin and flavonoids were detected as prominent secondary metabolites. Five iso-nitrogenous (25-26%, crude protein) feeds incorporated with POC @ 0% (F1), 10% (F2), 20% (F3), 30% (F4) and 40% (F5) level were fed to L. rohita fingerlings for 90 days in indoor conditions. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that survival percentage (95-97%) of F1, F2 and F3 groups was statistically similar which was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to F4 and F5. The gain in weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of F1 and F2 were similar but next higher inclusion levels of POC significantly (p<0.05) reduced the growth in F3, F4 and F5 groups. In addition, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower (p<0.05) and similar in F1and F2. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilisation (NPU) were found significantly higher (p<0.05) in F1 and F2 as compared to the rest of the groups. Haemoglobin, serum protein, albumin and globulin in blood were similar in F1 and F2 (p>0.05), which were significantly higher than the levels in other groups (p<0.05). S erum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and glucose levels increased significantly in F3, F4 and F5 groups compared to F1 and F2. POC was used for the first time in carp feeds as a non-conventional feed ingredient during this study and the results clearly indicated that POC could be incorporated @ 100 g kg -1 in the feed of L. rohita fingerlings without any adverse effect on growth, survival and nutrient utilisation .
Change in nutrient loading pattern due to coupled effect of change in concentration and hydroclimatic forces

ABSTRACT Increase in nutrient loading into large riverine systems is of interest because of long-lasting negative effects on downstream water bodies. We know little of this phenomenon with respect to long-term relationships between water quality metrics and trends in river flow. Here we present a multi-decadal (1937–2014) examination of nutrient transport patterns of the South Saskatchewan and Red Deer Rivers, Canada. Using a multi-method approach, we show a slightly increasing trend in annual volume of water reaching a mid-watershed reservoir (Lake Diefenbaker) concomitant with a change in seasonal variability of flow events from the 1970s. Both total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) flux increased during the period of record. TN concentration increased, while TP concentration decreased. On average, the high-flow season transported 95% of annual TP flux, 75% of annual TN flux, and 65% of annual flow. Inter-annually, high-flow season contributions decreased with respect to water volume, but increased with respect to both TN and TP flux. We believe that changes in variability but also timing of hydroclimatic forces are responsible for observed patterns. Higher flows and more precipitation during the high-flow season are most likely responsible for increasing nutrient load regardless of overall decreases in nutrient concentration.
Effects of Tomato chlorosis virus on the performance of its key vector, Bemisia tabaci, in China

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), which is a newly emerged and rapidly spreading plant virus in China, has seriously reduced tomato production and quality over the past several years. In this study, the effect of ToCV on the demography of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype Q (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), fed on infected and healthy tomato plants was evaluated using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. When reared on ToCV‐infected tomato plants, the fecundity, length of oviposition period and female adult longevity of B. tabaci biotype Q decreased significantly, while the pre‐adult duration significantly increased compared to controls reared on healthy tomatoes. Consequently, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite of increase (λ) of B. tabaci biotype Q on ToCV‐infected tomato plants significantly decreased compared to those on healthy tomatoes. Population projection predicted that a population of B. tabaci biotype Q fed on ToCV‐infected tomatoes increases slower than on healthy plants. These findings demonstrated that ToCV infection decreased the performance of B. tabaci biotype Q on tomato plants.
PERTUMBUHAN TUNAS ANGGUR HITAM (Vitis vinifera L.) PADA BERBAGAI KONSENTRASI BENZYLAMINO PURIN DAN INDOLEBUTYRIC ACID

This study aimed to determine media compositions supplied with BAP and IBA suitable for the growth of black grape shoots. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tadulako, during April to September 2016. The study used a factorial completely randomized design. Two factors were tested, the concentrations of BAP i.e. 1.50 ppm, 2.00 ppm and 2.50 ppm; and the concentration of IBA i.e. 0.00 ppm, 0.25 ppm and 0.50 ppm. There were nine treatment combinations and each combination treatment was replicated three times to obtain 27 experimental units. Each experimental unit using an explant. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and followed by Honestly Significant Difference test at level of 5% if the treatment effects were significant. The results showed that the composition of the culture media supplied with 2.00 ppm BAP without IBA is able to stimulate the formation of black grape leaves at the earliest, at an average of 18.67 days per explant, while the media added with 2.00 ppm 0.25 ppm BAP together with IBA can lead to longest shoot growth, at an average of 2.13 cm per bud. The culture media applied with 2.50 ppm BAP can trigger earliest shoot growth and highest number of leaf formation which were 11.11 days after culture and 2.44 leaves per explant. Earliest formation of black grape shoots of 11.89 days after culture is stimulated by the addition of 0.25 ppm IBA.
Nutrient Uptake and Utilization and Antioxidants of Fruits in Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Cultivar ‘Autumn Bliss’ in response to Fertilization under Extended Photoperiod

Annual-fruiting cultivars of red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.) complete its entire cycle of vegetative growth, flowering, and fruiting in one growing season, which has not been well studied in response to treatments of photoperiod and fertilization. In this study, micro-propagated plantlets of ‘Autumn Bliss’ were planted in a greenhouse at Dalian, Northeast China. Some were treated with fertilizers at the rate of 12 g per plant (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O, 14-14-14) under extended photoperiod of 17 h with PPFD of 240 μmol m -2 s -1 at dark-time (Pho.+Fert.), while others were treated with longer photoperiod (Pho.) or with the control. Compared to the control, both growth and biomass in shoot part of ‘Autumn Bliss’ were promoted by the Pho. +Fert. treatment, but foliar nutrients declined as the symptom of nutrient dilution. The Pho. treatment had no effect on either growth or nutrient uptake in leaves, resulting in the symptom of nutrient depletion compared to the Control. Soil P availability positively correlated with foliar P concentration but negatively correlated with root length. Only the Pho. +Fert. treatment resulted in the advance of fruiting by two months at July when fruits were measured to have acceptable fruit weight of about 3 g and contents of anthocyanin at ~26.4 mg cyaniding-3-glucoside equiv. 100 g -1 Fw and total phenolic content at ~17.5 mg GAE 100 g -1 Fw.
Is chaos making a difference? Synchronization transitions in chaotic and nonchaotic neuronal networks

Chaotic dynamics of neural oscillations has been shown at the single neuron and network levels, both in experimental data and numerical simulations. Theoretical studies over the last twenty years have demonstrated an underlying role of chaos in neural systems. Nevertheless, whether chaotic neural oscillators make a significant contribution to relevant network behavior and whether the dynamical richness of neural networks are sensitive to the dynamics of isolated neurons, still remain open questions. We investigated transition dynamics of a medium-sized heterogeneous neural network of neurons connected by electrical coupling in a small world topology. We make use of an oscillatory neuron model (HB+Ih) that exhibits either chaotic or non-chaotic behavior at different combinations of conductance parameters. Measuring order parameter as a measure of synchrony, we find that the heterogeneity of firing rate and types of firing patterns make a greater contribution than chaos to the steepness of synchronization transition curve. We also show that chaotic dynamics of the isolated neurons do not always make a visible difference in process of network synchronization transitions. Moreover, the macroscopic chaos is observed regardless of the dynamics nature of the neurons. However, performing a Functional Connectivity Dynamics analysis, we show that chaotic nodes can promote what is known as the multi-stable behavior, where the network dynamically switches between a number of different semi-synchronized, metastable states.
In-vivo study of inhibition in the human hippocampus

IN-VIVO STUDY OF INHIBITION IN THE HUMAN HIPPOCAMPUS Kenneth P. Vives, Gregory McCarthy and Dennis D Spencer. Section of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Loss of inhibition has been shown to be associated with histological changes and epileptic activity of the hippocampus. Twenty-three patients undergoing anteromedial temporal resection for intractable epilepsy underwent an intraoperative electrophysiological study to measure inhibition. These patients were split into two groups: patients with lesions related to medial temporal lobe epilepsy (LRMTLE) and patients with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). Prior to hippocampal resection a stimulating electrode was placed in the perforant path and a recording electrode through the dentate gyrus. At interstimulus intervals (ISI’s) of 20, 40, 60, 100, 200 msec, the amount of feedback inhibition was quantified by calculating the ratio of the size of the exictatory post synaptic potential (EPSP) and the population spike (PS) to that elicited by a single stimulus. At frequencies of 0.2, 0.5, 1,2 and 3 Hz the amount of frequency-related inhibition was quantified by the ratio of the PS or EPSP to that elicited at 0.1 Hz. The results revealed a loss of feedback inhibition at an ISI of 20 msec for the MTS patients compared to the LRMTLE patients (p = 0 0018) This loss of was further shown to be directly correlated with hippocampal atrophy as measured by MRI volumetries and the number of years of seizures (r = 0.819 and 0 883). A loss of feedforward inhibition at 1 Hz was found in both sets of patients The MTS patients showed an abnormal frequency related attenuation at higher frequencies compared to the LRMTLE patients (p = 0.0240). These findings are consistent with an excitotoxic loss of activity-dependent cells in a feedforward circuit in the LRMTLE patients and a loss of excitatory mossy cells in the dentate gyrus hilus of patients with MTS. This information contributes to the understanding of normal inhibition in the intact hippocampus and may possibly aid in the treatment of patients with intractable medial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Comparison of species resolution rates of DNA barcoding for Chinese coastal halo-tolerant plants

Halo-tolerant plants compose a huge group of plants with unique ecological and economical value. Little is known about their DNA barcoding speciality. In this study, 562 samples of coastal halo-tolerant plants (including 53 families, 97 genera and 116 species) were collected from 10 coastal provinces, ranging from Liaoning to Hainan. Three chloroplast DNA markers (matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA) and one nuclear DNA marker (ITS) were amplified and sequenced. Primer universality and sequence availability of each locus were examined and species resolution rates were tested. When considering sequence availability, matK and trnHpsbA were among the best. But the primer universality of ITS was marginally worse than expected. The all-to-all BLASTn searches indicated that the species resolution rate of ITS was the highest (73.36%), followed by those of matK (64.03%), trnH-psbA (61.21%) and rbcL (46.41%). Phylogenetic trees (NJ trees) indicated that the species resolution rate of matK was the highest (82.3%), but no reliable NJ tree based on trnH-psbA could be acquired because of unequal sequence length. NMDS and PCoA results demonstrated that both chloroplast DNA markers and nuclear DNA markers should be considered when conducting coastal plant DNA barcoding studies. Based on the above results, we suggest that the combination of ITS + matK •研究报告•