Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternatives of non-threshold and threshold concepts of cancerogenic and mutagenic effects of low LET radiation: the analysis of postulates and arguments

The comparative analysis of radiation-induced stochastic effects in organisms and cells is given under the aspect of the comparison of non-threshold vs. threshold concepts of radiation effect induction including their postulate basis analysis. Most representative data of basic research areas of radiation-induced stochastic effects are considered, including data on radiation epidemiology and experimental and theoretical radiobiology. The main conclusion of the elaborated analysis consists in the principal difference of dose response patterns for radiation-induced, stochastic effects in the low dose range compared with those in the high dose range. The principal inadequacy of extrapolations from high to low dose ranges is noted, as well as the better justification and the corresponding preference attributed to the threshold concept of low LET radiation effects. The new approach principle of the approximate radiation-induced stochastic effect, quasi-threshold evaluation, is presented.
Physiological Studies on the Head Formation in Cabbage

1. At the beginning of head formation the effect of removal of small head including the terminal bud followed by application of 0.1% hormone paste to the stem stump on the nasty movement of wrapper leaves was investigated with cabbage grown in vinyl house.When the terminal bud was removed, inner wrapper leaves assumed an elevated position, but outer ones did not.The application of both NAA and BA to the stem of decapitated plants induced a downward movement of inner wrapper leaves, while the application of both GA and ABA induced an upward movement more remarkable than that in the lanolin paste control.2. The effect of hormone application as a foliar spray before head formation on the nasty movement of wrapper leaves in relation to the head formation posture was investigated. Both NAA and BA induced a downward movement, while both GA and TIBA induced an upward movement. Especially the head formation posture was promoted by GA application showing the embrace posture due to both hyponasty of leaf petiole and cupping of leaf blade.Nasty movement was not affected by BCB as in the control.3. NAA spray induced the inhibition of leaf growth, followed by a decrease in leaf area, and also showed the increase of leaf shape index due to the inhibition of width growth more than length growth. On the contrary, TIBA, one of antiauxins, increased leaf area of inner leaves due to the promotion of length and width growth.GA spray inhibited the width growth more than length growth in inner wrapper leaves, while promoted both the length and width growth in inner leaves, which resulted in an increase in leaf area.BCB, an antigibberellin, showed no significant effect on the growth of length and width.The growth of length and width, and especially of the latter was promoted by BA spray. Consequently both an increase in leaf area and a decrease in leaf shape index were found.4. The effects of root pruning, decapitation and hormone treatment on the nasty movement were ascertained with seedlings having a pair of leaves roughly opposite to each other and grown in light and dark conditions. (1) The heavier the root pruning, the more a pair of leaves curved upward. And the hyponasty movement was accelerated by the addition of decapitation both in the light and in the dark. (2) NAA, BA, and Ethrel spray after decapitation promoted the downward movement in contrast to the upward movement by GA spray. TIBA and BCB showed little or no effect on nasty movement. (3) When applied to the stem stump as 0.5% lanolin paste, NAA, BA, and Ethrel induced a downward movement, but on the contrary GA and ABA induced an upward movement.5. The foregoing results suggested that the leaf petiolar epinasty was controlled by the hormone balance in apical region of the stem and the leaf shape might be controlled by the ratio of GA to BA.
A Two Phase Photoperiodic Response Controlling the Annual Gametogenic Cycle in Harmothoe imbricata (L.) (Polychaeta: Polynoidae)

Summary In the polychaete Harmothoe imbricata, a photoperiodic mechanism stabilises oogenesis during its early stages and prevents oocyte breakdown. During the autumn, photoperiods of 14 hr light per day or more cause the animals to abort gametogenesis and resorb their oocytes. Conversely, photoperiods of 13 hr or less stabilise gametogenesis and allow normal oocyte growth. The length of the exposure required to stabilise gametogenesis and prevent abortion lies between 42 and 55 days. This effect is in addition to a previously described phenomenon causing accelerated oocyte growth in the spring in response to moderately long photoperiods. The interaction between these two different photoperiodic responses is discussed.
Winter Cereal Cover Crop Mulches and Inter-Row Cultivation Effects on Cotton Development and Grass Weed Suppression

A field experiment was conducted under Mediterranean conditions to study the effects of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), six triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars and three rye (Secale cereale L.) populations, used as cover crop mulches on the development of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.)], bristly foxtail [Setaria verticillata (L.) P. Beauv. ], large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) P. Scop. ], and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Cotton was grown with cereal mulches alone or in treatment combinations that included inter-row cultivation, herbicide (quizalofop) application, or both. Three weeks after cotton planting, barnyardgrass, bristly foxtail, and large crabgrass emergence in mulched treatments was 28 to 69%, 33 to 57%, and 35 to 83% lower, respectively, than emergence in mulch-free treatments. On the contrary, cotton emergence was not significantly affected by any of the cover crop mulches. Shoot number and fresh weight of the three weeds were in most cases decreased in cereal-mulched treatments and were less in inter-row cultivated treatments compared to those in uncultivated treatments. Cotton lint yields in cereal mulched-inter-row-cultivated treatments were 28 to 84% greater than that in the corresponding mulch-free treatments. However, cotton produced more lint yield when the three grasses had been controlled by quizalofop. The results of this study indicated that some winter cereals have the ability to suppress germination of annual grass weeds and in combination with inter-row cultivation could increase cotton yield. However, herbicide usage is essential to maximize cotton yield and consequently to satisfy cotton producers.
Fauna edáfica influenciada pelo uso de culturas e consórcios de cobertura do solo

The edaphic fauna is considered sensitive and responds relatively fast to the impact of different types of production systems, thereby enabling its use as an active component for evaluating soil quality. This study was conducted to determine the influence of black oat, turnip, vetch and the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat in the structure and composition of the edaphic fauna. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 6x4 factorial scheme, consisting of six soil cover crops (black oat, turnip and vetch, the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip /black oat and fallow ground) and four sampling times (0, 50, 100 and 150 days after sowing), with four replications. After collecting the soil fauna, the abundance of individuals, Collembola number, Margalef richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou equitability and Simpson dominance were determined. The intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat favored the abundance of individuals and the Collembola number, within the first 50 days. The intercropping of vetch/turnip/black oat reduced the Shannon diversity index by increasing the Collembola population. The highest species diversity was observed at 100 days after the crops implantation. The edphic fauna was influenced by the vegetative stage and soil cover crop types.
Lupins as a protein source in pig diets

Lupins are a valuable source of protein that can partially replace traditional proteins of animal origin such as meat and bone meal and fish meal. Lupins also have been used as alternatives for soybean meal (SBM) and other oilseed meals in some countries such as Australia and northeastern Europe where use of locally-grown lupins in pig diets is cost-effective. However, the presence of high levels of anti-nutritional factors (ANF), such as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), oligosaccharides, protease inhibitors, tannins, saponins and alkaloids, have hampered progressive use of lupins in pig diets. Advances in lupin breeding programmes have contributed to the release of varieties with improved digestibility and lower ANF contents. The scope of this review is to evaluate the nutritional value of current varieties of lupins and to summarize recent nutritional concepts covering the strengths and weaknesses of lupins as ingredients in pig diets. The topics discussed will include: (1) chemical characteristics of currently available lupin species; (2) energy and amino acid availability; (3) performance and carcass composition response to lupin-based diets; (4) ANF in lupins; and (5) processing of lupins to improve nutrient digestibility.
Effect of enhanced atmospheric CO2 on mycorrhizal colonization by Glomus mosseae in Plantago lanceolata and Trifolium repens

Plantago lanceolata L. and Trifolium repens L. were grown for 16 wk in ambient (360 μmol mol−1) and elevated (610 μmol mol−1) atmospheric CO2. Plants were inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe and given a phosphorus supply in the form of bonemeal, which would not be immediately available to the plants. Seven sequential harvests were taken to determine whether the effect of elevated CO2 on mycorrhizal colonization was independent of the effect of CO2 on plant growth. Plant growth analysis showed that both species grew faster in elevated CO2 and that P. lanceolata had increased carbon allocation towards the roots. Elevated CO2 did not affect the percentage of root length colonized (RLC); although total colonized root length was greater, when plant size was taken into account this effect disappeared. This finding was also true for root length colonized by arbuscules. No CO2 effect was found on hyphal density (colonization intensity) in roots. The P content of plants was increased at elevated CO2, although both shoot and root tissue P concentration were unchanged. This was again as a result of bigger plants at elevated CO2. Phosphorus inflow was unaffected by CO2 concentrations. It is concluded that there is no direct permanent effect of elevated CO2 on mycorrhizal functioning, as internal mycorrhizal development and the mycorrhizal P uptake mechanism are unaffected. The importance of sequential harvests in experiments is discussed. The direction for future research is highlighted, especially in relation to C storage in the soil.
Protein extractability and thermal gel formability of myofibrils isolated from skeletal and cardiac muscles at different post-mortem periods

The effects of the post-mortem ageing period on the extractability of myofibrillar proteins from pork cardiac and rabbit skeletal muscles under various conditions of pH and ionic strength were studied with particular reference to the changes in the solubility of individual myofibrillar proteins and their denaturation characteristics. The ultimate influence of these changes on the heat-induced gel forming ability of myofibrils isolated from cardiac and skeletal muscles at different post-mortem stages was also investigated. Results showed that pork cardiac myofibrils always exhibited lower solubility than those from rabbit skeletal muscles under identical conditions of pH, ionic strength and temperature. SDS-PAGE profiles indicated several quantitative differences in the relative proportion of individual protein species present in cardiac and skeletal myofibrils. The solubility of various proteins present in myofibrils was also affected differently on heating in 0-1 and 0-6 M NaCl solution at various pH values. Thermal denaturation of cardiac myofibrils occurred at about 10°C higher than that of skeletal myofibrils as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. Cardiac myofibrils formed much weaker heat-induced gels than those produced by skeletal myofibrils under identical conditions of temperature, pH, ionic strength and protein content.
Screening of entomopathogenic fungi against the European spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract The European spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans Kugelann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the most serious destructive pests of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L.). In order to find an effective biocontrol agent against this pest, we determined the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi against D. micans. Virulence of nine highly pathogenic strains including Beauveria bassiana (2), Beauveria cf. bassiana (2), Metarhizium anisopliae (2), Metarhizium sp. (1), Isaria fumosorosea (1) and Evlachovaea sp. (1) was evaluated on D. micans larvae and adults under laboratory conditions. Mortality values for both larvae and adults ranged from 83 to 100% and from 23 to 100%, respectively. Larvae were more susceptible to fungi than adults (P<0.05). Based on screening tests, B. cf. bassiana isolate KTU-53 was found the most effective isolate. LC50 values were calculated as 1.77×104 and 2.65×104 conidia mL−1 for isolate KTU-53 against larvae and adults, respectively. Consequently, B. cf. bassiana isolate KTU-53 appears to be the most promising microbial control agent for biocontrol of D. micans.
A new species of subgenus Seriphidium of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) from Turkey

Artemisia bashkalensis Kursat & Civelek sp. nov. from Hakkari Province in East Anatolia, Turkey, has been described. The differences between Artemisia bashkalensis and the related species Artemisia stenocephala Krash. ex Poljak. and Artemisia khorassanica Podl. are reported. The diagnosis, description, distribution map, and taxonomic comments on the new species are provided.
Synthetic studies on the proposed spiro intermediate for biosynthesis of the natural porphyrins: the stereochemical probe

The intermediacy of the spiro-pyrrolenine for biosynthesis of uro'gen III is supported by synthesis of both enantiomers of the spiro-lactam 6 followed by demonstration that cosynthetase, the enzyme which forms uro'gen III, is inhibited over twenty times more strongly by one enantiomer than by the other.
Evaluation of some plant products against Trogoderma granarium Everts in stored wheat and their effects on nutritional composition and organoleptic characteristics of treated grains

Abstract Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and powders of neem leaf and neem kernel, citrus (Citrus limon) leaf, garlic (Allium sativum) bulb, podina (Mentha spicata) leaf were used in wheat grains at the 1 % and 2% level (w/w) against larvae of Trogoderma granarium Everts. Neem products completely prevented damage by an introduced larval population. In other treatments grain damage was noticeable after 3 months, although significantly less than in untreated grains. Thereafter, damage increased progressively and reached as high as 45% (citrus), 46% (podina) and 72% (garlic) after 6 months. Nutritional composition, viz. moisture, ash, fibre, fat, protein and carbohydrates of treated grains after 1 month, remained unaffected. After 6 months, changes in the level of nutritional compounds were proportional to insect damage. Neem products did not produce any adverse effect on nutritional composition. ‘Chapatis’ made from flour of treated grains after 1 month did not show adverse effects on colour, appearance and t.
Light-induced Activation of Electrogenic H+ Extrusion and K+ Uptake in Elodea densa Depends on Photosynthesis and is Mediated by the Plasma membrane H+ ATPase

In Elodea densa leaves light strongly stimulates electrogenic, K+-dependent, vanadateand erythrosin B-sensitive H+ extrusion and hyperpolarizes the transmembrane electrical potential. These effects of light are suppressed by treatment with DCMU, an inhibitor of photosynthesis, which has no effect on H + extrusion in the dark. Light-induced H + extrusion requires the presence of K+ in the medium and is associated with increased K+ uptake and alkalinization of the cell sap. Light-induced H+ extrusion increases with increased C02 concentration. At constant C02 concentration (104 parts 10 ~6) the rate of H+ extrusion is strongly enhanced by an increased light intensity up to 30 W m 2. Different wavelengths, between 400 and 730 nm, induce a significant stimulation of both proton secretion and transmembrane potential hyperpolarization. The stimulating effects of light on H+ extrusion, K+ uptake and cell sap pH are very similar to those induced in the dark by fusicoccin, a toxin known to stimulate strongly ATP-driven, vanadateand erythrosin B-sensitive H+ transport. In the light, the effects of fusicoccin are only partially additive to those of light, thus suggesting that the two factors influence the same system. The identification of this system with the plasma membrane H+-ATPase is indicated by the observed inhibition of the effects of either light or fusicoccin by the H + -ATPase inhibitors vanadate and erythrosin B. These data indicate that the activation of electrogenic H+ extrusion and of K+ uptake by light is mediated by some products of photosynthesis. The mechanism and the possible physiological implications of this phenomenon are discussed.
Efeito do tempo, substrato e temperatura na penetração de juvenis do segundo estádio de Meloidogyne javanica e Heterodera glycines em soja

At 2 days after inoculation, independent of the substrate used, lower penetration of J2 of Meloidogyne javanica was observed compared to the other time points tested. When fine sand was used, greater penetration of J2 of M. javanica in soybean roots occurred at 4,4 days after inoculation. By using a mixture of soil and ground sand, the penetration increase was linear between at 2 and 8 days after inoculation. When the fine sand was used number of J2 of Heterodera glycines, in the roots was highest at 2 days after inoculation. In the mixture of soil and ground sand, the soybean roots had lowest number of J2 of H. glycines at 2 days after inoculation, decreasing evenly toward day 8. At 24oC the penetration of J2 of M. javanica was higher (P< 0,05) regardless of cultivar resistance. However, in the resistant cultivar the penetration was not affected (P< 0,05) at temperatures between 24 and 28oC. At 32oC occurred significant decrease in penetration which reached 17,97% of the penetration observed at 28oC and with similar values at 16 and 20oC. In the susceptible cultivar the penetration decrease was significant at 28oC and 32oC, amounting to 34,74% of that at 24oC, and even greater than that at 16 and 20oC. At 12oC penetration was not observed in any of the cultivars used. Considering H. glycines, the temperatures of 21,3oC provided great penetration of J2 in the susceptible cultivar and at 22,4oC in the resistant one. The penetration of J2 of H. glycines at 12 and 32oC was similar in both susceptible and resistant cultivars, but corresponded approximately to half of that at the temperatures that were better for penetration.
An eight year phenological study of a local drosophilid community in Central Chile

In the outskirts of Santiago, Chile (La Florida), collections of drosophilids were performed every month from 1984 to 1991. Some of the species are cosmopolitan, like D. melanogaster and D. simulans, or subcosmopolitan, like D. subobscura. A few others are endemics, like D. pavani and some Scaptomyza. The population sizes of all the species show annual and monthly periodic fluctuations, detected by autocorrelations analyses, excepting D. melanogaster, that exhibits very weak monthly correlations. This seems to indicate that D. melanogaster is weakly coupled to periodic phenomena that are acting on the rest of the drosophilid fauna. Furthermore, biogeographic categories, like cosmopolitan, or subcosmopolitan, or endemic species, are of very little importance when applied to single localities, since species cluster irrespective of them being endemic or cosmopolitan.
Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in Organic and Conventional Farms for a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of New Mexico

Abstract Farming practices involving less intense chemical use are becoming popular in the U.S. primarily due to the environmental concerns related to the use of chemicals in conventional farming systems. This study was undertaken to: (1) evaluate the effect of organic farming on soil physical and chemical properties in three organic farms, and (2) contrast them to that of a nearby conventional farm. Four farms located in Anthony, Dona Ana County of southern New Mexico, were selected for this study. Dominant soil was of Harkey series (coarse-silty, mixed, calcareous, thermic typic Torrifluvents). Three of the farms were under organic farming system for three (OF3), six (OF6), and nine (OF9) years, and the fourth was under a conventional farming system. Core and bulk soil samples were collected in triplicate at each of the 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths from all farms during September 2005. Soil properties measured include: soil bulk density (pb), particle size classification, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil moisture characteristics, effective porosity (6e), available water capacity (AWC), volume of transmission (VTP) and storage pores (VSP), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total carbon (TC) concentration, ammonium-N, and nitrate-N. The analysis on interdependence of soil properties showed that EC and nitrate-N were positively correlated (r2 = 0.82). A significant negative correlation was obtained among p b and VSP (r2 = −0.45) and pb and AWC (r2 = −0.41), and a positive among 6 at 6 kpa, and AWC (r2 = 0.90) and VSP (r2 = 0.88), respectively. In general, sand content did not vary among organic farms at any of the three depths but clay content varied as OF3 < OF6 < OF9 at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. The VTP decreased and soil pH and EC increased with increasing amount of time under organic farming primarily at 10–20 and 20–30 cm depths. Inorganic-N was higher in organic than conventional farm indicating a greater yield potential of organic farms. However, no differences in AWC and VSP among organic and conventional farm showed the negative influence of tillage on soil water storage. Soil water storage is important for crop growth and yield and due to the low rainfall and deficit irrigation practiced in the arid ecosystem of southern New Mexico; management practice involving less tillage could enhance the soil water-holding capacity.
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES OF AN NAD(P) H-DEPENDENT H2O2-GENERATING ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE RAT SMALL INTESTINE

Regional differences of an NAD(P)H-dependent H2O2-generating enzyme activity in the rat small intestinal mucosa were electron-cytochemically investigated. The H2O2-generating activity was localized on the apical membrane covering microvilli of intestinal absorptive cells in the duodeno jejunum. The activity was weak in absorptive cells at the mitotic area of villus, becoming higher toward its apex. The spherical membrane covering absorptive cells which are in the process of being extruded at the apical extrusion zone exhibited the activity. Activity was also noted in the apical cell membrane of goblet cells, although the activity was weaker than that in the absorptive cells. The ileal activity was apparently weaker than that of the duodeno jejunum. These results seem to indicate that there are local variations in the NAD(P)Hdepending H2O2-generating activity among intestinal epithelial cells.