Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tropical Legumes for Green Manure. I. Nitrogen Production and the Effects on Succeeding Crop Yields1

The energy shortage of the 1970s and knowledge that N prices may continue to escalate renewed interest in growing legume green manure crops to furnish N. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of selected green manure crops to furnish N to succeeding crops. This study evaluated seven tropical legumes and a marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv ‘Cracker Jack’ grown for different lengths of the summer under fumigation (F) and nonfumigation (NF) on Arredondo fine sand (loamy, silicious, hyperthermic Grossarenic Paleudults) during 1979, 1980, and 1981. Split-plot and randomized complete block designs with five replicates were used. In the basic experiment, fumigation and nonfumigation were main plots and tropical legumes and fallow were the subplots. The green manure crops were grown for three different periods, early summer, full summer, and late summer. Early and late summer plantings usually included only the legume crops and fallow in a randomized complete block design. Average top growth N yields in kg ha⁻¹ were 40 for ‘PI 305070’ mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz. ], 250 for ‘Norman’ pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. ], 190 for ‘FL 81d’ pigeonpea, 170 for showy crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth.), 220 for hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta L.), 170 for jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana L.), 190 for velvetbean [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort.) Merr.1, and 60 for marigold. The dry matter yield of legumes (harvested before seeding) with higher N yields usually exceeded 10 000 kg ha−1 for full-season production in all 3 p. Fumigation increased dry matter yield of legumes and marigold, but not their N yield. The grass crops, rye (Secale cereale L.), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) produced significantly higher dry matter (up to 100%) when planted after green-manure summer legumes than when planted after summer fallow. Calculated uptake of N from green manure by these grass crops was relatively low, averaging from −2 to 23 kg ha−1. Applying 50 and 100 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate to the green-manured plots did not increase recovery of N from green manure by wheat.
Resistência a antimicrobianos de bactérias oriundas de ambiente de criação e filés de tilápias do nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

A resistencia de bacterias a antimicrobianos foi determinada em uma piscicultura de tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) em tanques de terra, sem utilizacao de antibioticos para profilaxia ou controle de doencas. Foi selecionado um tanque, capturados peixes e coletadas amostras de conteudo intestinal e superficie dos peixes, agua de abastecimento e do tanque, racao, files de tilapias frescos e congelados. Colonias representativas foram selecionadas e analisadas pelos testes de Gram, catalase, oxidase e oxidacaofermentacao. Foram selecionadas 89 amostras e submetidas a antibiograma, utilizando varios antimicrobianos. A maioria das bacterias pertenceu as familias Enterobacteriaceae e Vibrionaceae. Tanto no ambiente de criacao como nos files de tilapias observou-se que os isolados bacterianos apresentaramse resistentes principalmente a ampicilina e eritromicina. O indice de multipla resistencia a antimicrobianos (MAR) foi calculado, sendo que do total de 89 isolados analisados 74 (83%), apresentaram MAR ³ 0,2, ou seja apresentaram-se resistentes a dois ou mais antimicrobianos. As frequencias de indice MAR foram altas e maiores na racao.
When should pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.), spat be transferred from the hatchery to the ocean?

Hatchery propagation of pearl oysters is relatively new and optimal hatchery protocols are still being developed. While in the hatchery, pearl oyster spat are supplied a constant and reliable food source and are protected from fluctuations in environmental conditions and predators. This study investigated the hypothesis that retaining blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.), spat in the hatchery for longer periods, prior to transfer to the ocean, would improve growth and survival during early nursery culture. Results showed that the longer spat were retained in the hatchery, the smaller their average size at grading (3.5 months of age). At grading, spat transferred 3 weeks after settlement had a mean dorso–ventral shell height (DVH) of 9.2 ± 0.4 mm with 34% of individuals retained on a 10-mm mesh. However, spat retained in the hatchery until 5, 7 and 9 weeks after settlement, had a mean DVH of 9.0 ± 0.4, 7.8 ± 0.3 and 6.3 ± 0.4 mm respectively. Only 10% of spat transferred 9 weeks after settlement were retained on a 10-mm mesh at grading. The results probably reflect superior nutrition available in the ocean and indicate that pearl oyster spat should be transferred from the hatchery as soon as possible after settlement in order to maximize growth
An Association Between Acid Invertase Activity and Cell Growth during Leaf Expansion in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Changes in lamina area, dimensions of epidermal and palisade cells, acid invertase activity and content of sucrose and hexose in the primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were determined between emergence of the hypocotyl hook and the completion of leaf expansion. Growth in area and thickness of the primary leaf after emergence was attributable to the expansion of cells already present in the lamina at emergence. The major invertase in the expanding leaf was a readily soluble acid invertase; little insoluble invertase activity was detected. Soluble and insoluble fractions of leaf homogenates contained little neutral invertase activity. The specific activity of the soluble acid invertase increased rapidly during the early stages of leaf expansion, reaching a peak at the time of most rapid cell enlargement (5 d after emergence) and then declining as the leaf matured. Highly significant positive correlations were found between enzyme specific activity and the rates of cell and leaf enlargement. The early, rapid phase of lamina expansion was characterized by high concentrations of hexose sugar and low concentrations of sucrose. As the rates of leaf cell enlargement declined the concentration of hexose fell and that of sucrose increased. Between 5 d and 11 d after hypocotyl emergence, the hexose/sucrose ratio in the primary leaf decreased approximately 10-fold as the specific activity of acid invertase decreased. The results are discussed with reference to sources of carbon substrates for cell growth and to the sink/source transition during leaf development.
RAPID AMMONIUM‐ AND NITRATE‐INDUCED PERTURBATIONS TO CHL a FLUORESCENCE IN NITROGEN‐STRESSED DUNALIELLA TERTIOLECTA (CHLOROPHYTA) 1

When NH4+ or NO3− was supplied to NO3−‐stressed cells of the microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher, immediate transient changes in chl a fluorescence were observed over several minutes that were not seen in N‐replete cells. These changes were predominantly due to nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching. Fluorescence changes were accompanied by changes in photosynthetic oxygen evolution, indicating interactions between photosynthesis and N assimilation. The magnitude of the fluorescence change showed a Michaelis‐Menten relationship with half‐saturation concentration of 0.5 μM for NO3− and 10 μM for NH4+. Changes in fluorescence responses were characterized in D. tertiolecta both over 5 days of N starvation and in cells cultured at a range of NO3−‐limited growth rates. Variation in responses was more marked in starved than in limited cells. During N starvation, the timing and onset of the fluorescence responses were different for NO3− versus NH4+ and were correlated with changes in maximum N uptake rate during N starvation. In severely N‐starved cells, the major fluorescence response to NO3− disappeared, whereas the response to NH4+ persisted. N‐starved cells previously grown with NH4+ alone showed fluorescence responses with NH4+ but not NO3− additions. The distinct responses to NO3− and NH4+ may be due to the differences between regulation of the uptake mechanisms for the two N sources during N starvation. This method offers potential for assessing the importance of NO3− or NH4+ as an N source to phytoplankton populations and as a diagnostic tool for N limitation.
Rotation Rates of Inactive Satellites Near Geosynchronous Earth Orbit

Stabilized satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) become drifters after they are decommissioned. In addition, each satellite begins to tumble or precess in its inactive state. As they drift around the earth, the inactive satellites provide sequential viewing opportunities---with synodic periods of months or weeks---for observation with an earth-based sensor. In order to measure their rotation rates as a function of time, we track a set of inactive satellites over several months as each comes into view over Hawaii. Images of each satellite are acquired through a small (0.4-m) optical telescope system with sampling periods of a few seconds. With temporal light curves obtained through relative, in-frame photometry on each image, we analyze both the time and frequency domains in order to determine the satellites’ rotation rates.
Does high growth rate of juvenile house mice with prolonged access to ripening grain and free water drive population outbreaks?

Abstract Post‐weaning growth rates were measured for juvenile house mice (Mus domesticus) reared under four experimental treatments representing dietary conditions in cereal‐growing areas of southeastern Australia. The mice were bred in captivity from adult wild mice captured in mature dry cereal crops during summer. Juvenile mice were caged in pairs at 23°C and offered a diet of either ripening wheat heads or mature dry wheat heads, with or without access to free water. All diets were adequate for survival, but juvenile mice on a diet of ripening wheat with water available grew at 0.25 g day–1, 260% faster than those on a diet of mature wheat and deprived access to free water. Mice on a diet of ripening wheat but deprived of free water and those on a diet of mature wheat with water available grew at intermediate rates. Post‐weaning growth rates of mice in all treatment groups were higher when the young were weaned at higher body mass. The results have implications for estimates of growth, timing of sexual maturity and reproduction of mice in field populations, and indicate that prolonged access to ripening grain and/or relief from moisture stress are likely to be critical to rapid population increase during population outbreaks.
Selection of hibernation sites by Anthonomus pomorum: preferences and ecological consequences

The apple blossom weevil, Anthonomus pomorum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has a long period of aestivo‐hibernation in the adult stage lasting from summer to early spring of the following year. Potential hibernation sites within an apple orchard consist of high‐stem rough‐bark trees or dwarf smooth‐bark trees. Field release‐recapture experiments in 2 consecutive years showed that 64 and 47% of the weevils remained in the vicinity of the release sites in an area of high‐stem trees and dwarf trees, respectively. The dispersing weevils moved over an average distance of 5.5 m in the dwarf tree area, as compared to 3.8 m in the high‐stem tree area. The prevalent direction of dispersal was along tree rows in both areas. Some weevils displayed, after release in mid‐July, a directional dispersal to the adjacent forests. Others, released in the dwarf tree area, dispersed towards the area of high‐stem rough‐bark apple trees. Experiments simulating various hibernation sites demonstrated that the litter of dry leaves was the most preferred overwintering shelter, yielding a relatively high survival rate. Branches with rough bark ranked second, while branches with smooth bark, grass and pure soil were not favourable for overwintering. Flight tendency in newly emerged weevils of summer generation was significantly higher in June/July than in August/September. This corresponds to the dispersal behaviour in the field. The timing of spring colonisation of apple trees was similar for weevils overwintering within the orchard and for those from outside. These results suggest that modern, dwarf apple orchards offer unfavourable conditions for overwintering, but that the relatively small proportion of weevils which manage to reach the adjacent forests find optimal hibernation sites there.
Nitrates in Vegetables Produced in Greece

ABSTRACT The nitrate content of spinach, leaf and romaine lettuce, endive, parsley, dill, celery, beet leaves and roots, turnip, radish, carrot, white and red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, leek, green and dry onion, cucumber, tomato, eggplant, summer squash, snap bean, potato, and bell pepper obtained regularly from the Wholesale Vegetable Market of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece was determined during the period from March 1995 to May 1996. Dill, beet roots and leaves, turnip, parsley, radish, spinach, and leaf lettuce were the most nitrate-rich vegetables. Samples of the above vegetables had nitrate concentrations in excess of 500 mg kg−1 f.w. Throughout the sampling period, the highest nitrate concentration found was 1105 mg kg−1 f.w. in dill. Nitrate concentrations in all cases were lower than values reported in Northwestern Europe and more important, they were always below the maximum permissible values, that have been imposed for certain vegetables by some European countries and the Commission of the European Communities.
Effects of Energy Level and Enzyme Supplementation in Wheat-Based Layer Diets on Hen Performance and Egg Quality

This experiment was carried out to examine the effects of energy level and enzyme supplementation of wheat-based diets compared with corn in laying hen diets on hen performance and egg quality. Experiment was conducted over 16 weeks with 27-wk-old Hisex Brown laying hens. Hens were randomly assigned to five experimental diets in a single isolated control group—2 (energy level)×2 (enzyme supplementation)—factorial arrangement. Experimental groups consisted of corn diet (control), and wheat-based (600 g kg−1) diets at the normal (11.51 MJ/kg ME, identical with the corn diet) and low energy levels (11.05 MJ/kg ME) with or without enzyme supplementation. Diets were fed in mash form. No significant interactions between energy level and enzyme supplementation on hen performance were observed. However, enzyme addition to wheat-based diets significantly improved laying rate, eggs mass and feed efficiency: the results were similar to those of hens fed the corn diet. Final body weight gain, egg shape index, breaking strength, shell thickness and incidence of dirty eggs were not significantly affected by the dietary energy level and enzyme supplementation. In the wheat-based diets, dirty eggs rate (2.07%) was higher than in the corn diet (0.21%). There was no significant interaction between energy level and enzyme supplementation for egg yolk colour but enzyme addition to wheat-based diets increased egg yolk pigmentation, which was also lower than that of the corn diet. These results demonstrated that wheat can replace corn in layer diets, and the addition of enzyme to wheat-based diets improved hen performance and egg yolk pigmentation. Energy enhancement of wheat by enzyme addition should be considered to achieve production and cost improvements in the formulation of layer diets.
Uncovering different parameters influencing florivory in a specialist herbivore

1. It has become increasingly recognised that several herbivores switch from folivory (leaf‐feeding) to florivory (flower‐feeding) during larval development. Yet, it remains poorly understood which cues influence this behaviour, whether a switch to florivory is consistently shown on different hosts, and to what extent florivory could be hindered by plant traits.
Colour loss during extrusion cooking of β‐carotene‐wheat flour mixes as an indicator of the intensity of thermal and oxidative processing

Summary The thermal and/or oxidative colour loss from a wheat flour/all-trans β-carotene (20–80 mg kg−1) mix during extrusion cooking follows first order kinetics. The intensity of processing in extrusion is reflected in the overall rate constant (K) of colour loss. K-values were in the range 3–20x10−3 s−1. They increased markedly with decreasing water content of the mix (24–14%), and with increasing barrel temperature (100–220°C). Results were independent of the type of twin-screw extruder (Werner-Pfleiderer Continua 37 or Clextral BC-45). Modelling of the overall rate constant K and of the ‘equivalent plug flow’ residence time was used to define ‘iso-destructive’ extrusion conditions giving approximately the same residence time and the same mean product temperature. Extrusion under N2 or O2, or in the presence of 1 mg BHT per g of β-carotene, slightly affected colour loss. Adsorption chromatography on alumina indicated that within a barrel temperature range of 125–200°C, 38–73% of the initial all-trans β-carotene was destroyed, and that 2/3 to 1/2 of this loss corresponded to the formation of 9-cis plus 13-cis β-carotene isomers. The formation of smaller amounts of unknown β-carotene derivatives may be responsible for the colour loss.
EFEITO DA RESTRIÇÃO ALIMENTAR QUANTITATIVA SOBRE O DESEMPENHO E AS CARACTERÍSTICAS DA CARCAÇA DE SUÍNOS EM TERMINAÇÃO

Neste experimento foi investigado o efeito da restricao alimentar quantitativa sobre o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaca de suinos em terminacao. A restricao alimentar, na razao de 7 % (T2), 14 % (T3) e 21 % (T4) do consumo a vontade (T1), diminuiu linearmente o ganho de peso diario e a espessura de toucinho, e aumentou linearmente a idade de abate (P Abstract The effect of quantitative feed restriction upon the performance and carcass characteristics of the finished pigs was investigated. It was observed a linear reduction in the daily weight gain and backfat and linear increasing in the slaughtery age (P
Local colonization and extinction of field layer plants in a deciduous forest and their dependence upon life history features

In this study we used species inventory data collected in 1970 and 1993 from 132 plots in a 14.5ha deciduous forest to examine local extinction and colonization processes among 45 field layer species. Local colonization rate was positively related to both seed size and seed dispersal features. Local extinction rate was negatively related to seed size. Growth form (clonal vs. non-clonal) and presence of a seed bank were not found to be associated with local dynamics. Despite an overall constancy in species composition during this period, plants exhibited a considerable mobility among the 132 plots. This pattern conformed to a suggested ‘carousel model’ of species mobility in grasslands. A tentative suggestion is that this mobility acts on a comparatively broader spatio-temporal scale in deciduous forests as compared with grasslands. Additional data are presented indicating that species abundance (frequency) among field layer plants in deciduous forest communities is consistent among forest fragments, and when comparing local and regional scales. The main conclusion is that life history features of the seed dispersal/recruitment phase, particularly seed size, are causally associated with abundance patterns at least at a local scale, but possibly also on a broader regional scale.
Determination of cucumber mosaic virus titer in muskmelon by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and correlation with aphid transmission.

Percentage transmission by individual Aphis gossypii and spectrophotometric readings in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to estimate cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) titers in muskmelon plants over a 7-wk period. Results indicated a high correlation between the two techniques with two distinct CMV isolates. One week after inoculation, the frequency of aphid transmission of CMV-243 (virulent isolate) was significantly higher than that of CMV-241 (mild isolate), and ELISA absorbance readings at 405 nm were significantly higher for isolate CMV-243 (.)
Efeito de aditivo químico e inoculantes microbianos na fermentação e no controle da produção de álcool em silagens de cana-de-açúcar

The objective of this study was to evaluate chemical additive and microbial inoculants effectiveness on fermentative changes that lead to the inhibition of the ethanol production and reduction of dry matter losses in sugarcane silages. Silos were made in 20 liter plastic buckets provided with a Bunsen type valve that allows gas to escape and a device to collect effluents. The applied additives were urea (1% of fresh forage); microbial additive Lalsil cana®, that has heterolactic bacteria Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIMB 40788), 3.65 × 105 CFU g-1 of fresh forage, and a non-commercial additive with homolactic bacteria Pedioccocus pentosassus and Lactobacillus buchneri (1 × 106 CFU g-1 FM) supplied by Lallemand Inc. (Montreal, Quebec). Sampling occurred after 110 days of fermentation. Urea and mainly the additive Lactobacillus buchneri and Pediococcus were efficient on the reduction of ethanol production (1.30 and 2.75% versus 8.27% in the control treatment), on the reduction of dry matter losses (47 and 60%) and soluble carbohydrates (22 and 56%), and increase in vitro dry matter digestibility (14,7 and 12,3%) when compared to the control silages, respectively. Despite the high values of acetic acid in all silages, mainly in silages inoculated with homo and heterolactic bacteria, it was not verified effects on yeast population. The silage with urea had greater values of pH and lactic acid compared to control silage. Silages with L. buchneri had, in this experiment, the largest ethanol production (11.53% vs 8.27% from control silage), resulting in greater losses and lower dry matter recovery. In addition, these silages also showed lower digestibility because of soluble carbohydrates losses and NDF accumulation, similar to the silages without additive.
Plasmin activity and proteose-peptone content of individual milks

SUMMARY The variation in plasmin activity and proteose-peptone (PP) content in milks from 81 cows of four breeds was statistically analysed. Plasmin activity increased with parity and stage of lactation and differed between breeds, but the breed effect was removed when adjustment was made for differences in milk casein content. The negative correlation found between plasmin activity and casein content seemed to be expressed only under assay conditions and was thus probably an artefact. The linear regressions of proteose-peptones in fresh (PP) and cold-stored milks (ΔPP) on plasmin activity were highly significant (P < 0·001). However, the variation in plasmin activity explained only 38 and 33%, respectively, of the variation in PP and ΔPP. At apparent zero plasmin activity, PP and ΔPP were significantly different from zero (P < 0·001) and the intercepts represented 77 and 46%, respectively, of the averages. PP and ΔPP were significantly higher in milks containing the BB genotype of ²-lactoglobulin than in milks with the AA genotype.