Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Properties and Control of Satsuma Dwarf Virus

Satsuma dwarf virus (SDV), Citrus mosaic virus (CiMV), Natsudaidai dwarf virus (NDV), Navel orange infectious mottling virus (NIMV), and Hyuganatsu virus (HV) are widely spread and cause serious damage to citrus production in Japan. SDV also occurs in some parts of China, Korea and Turkey. Biological, serological and molecular characterization of these viruses revealed both inter-relationships among these viruses and relationships with other plant viruses. SDV is a definite virus species in the genus Sadwavirus, and CiMV and other related viruses are classified as strains of SDV. Based on the serological and molecular biological information, useful detection methods utilizing DAS-ELISA, immunochromatographic assay (ICA), and RT-PCR have been developed. These detection methods will promote distribution of SDV-free nursery plants, which is a key control measure. Transgenic rootstocks which harbor coat protein gene and are tolerant to CiMV have also been developed.
Comparison of Cellular and Extracellular Products Expressed by Virulent and Attenuated Strains of Edwardsiella ictaluri

Abstract Cellular and extracellular products of three virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates were compared with corresponding attenuated strains to evaluate potential virulence factors. The characteristics compared included growth kinetics, hemolysin activity, surface structures, outer membrane protein profiles, and lipopolysaccharide profiles. To produce the attenuated strains, we passed three isolates through multiple subcultures in liquid media. Attenuated strains were found to have shorter generation times than virulent strains. They also apparently failed to express a 55-kdalton outer membrane protein that the virulent strains possessed. Scanning electron microscopy found no conclusive differences in surface structure expression. Hemolysin activity was significantly greater in virulent strain R4383 than in its corresponding attenuated strain. Lipopolysaccharide profiles showed no apparent differences in the O polysaccharide portion; however, the composition of core oligosaccharide sugars differed be.
Atmospheric input of dust and nitrogen into the Nizzana sand dune ecosystem, north-western Negev, Israel☆

Abstract Atmospheric input of nutrients, mainly in the form of particulates, is widely accepted as a major but still poorly known contribution to the nutrient budgets of arid ecosystems. As part of integrated ecosystem studies, dust and nitrogen deposition was monitored at the Nizzana test site in the southern part of the north-western Negev dune field. The main approach was to investigate the contribution of atmospheric input to the spatial distribution of a dune stabilizing biological crust. Atmospheric input of dust at Nizzana is fairly low and originates, except for singular long-range transport dust storm events, mainly from local sources. Spatial input patterns within the dune field are generated by topographically forced disturbance of the local wind field. Net deposition rates are about 6% of bulk dust deposition and roughly correspond to the overall input pattern. Most effective is the depositional balance on the encrusted stable slope units and within higher vegetation stands. Surface fine material contents on the encrusted slopes obviously are in a state of equilibrium with net dust deposition rates. However, the spatial pattern of both bulk and net deposition does not coincide with the distribution and thickness of the biogenic crust. Active growth of cryptogames in aerodynamically stable environmental units and differences in the microhydrological budget relative to aspect and slope angle may play a much more important role than fine material input. The biological crusts do not act as a trap for dust. The overall input of total nitrogen is shown to be a function of regional phases of soil cultivation combined with strong north-westerly winds during the summer half year. At Nizzana-South both water and nitrogen are limiting factors for plant growth whereas in the northern dune field potential nitrogen fixation rates increase exponentially relative to the rainfall gradient, but low atmospheric input of nitrogen still is a limiting factor.
Growth, production and reproduction performance of Berari goats in their native tract.

An investigation was conducted to study the growth, production and reproduction performance of Berari goats under field conditions. The overall body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 2.41±0.03, 8.92±0.13, 15.02±0.23, 18.14±0.52 and 21.32±0.36 kg, respectively. In all the age groups, higher body weights were recorded in males than females. The average total lactation milk yield was 77.72±1.85 kg. The mean lactation length and dry period were 132.84±0.76 and 110.34±2.09 days, respectively. Fat and solid not fat (SNF) contents of Berari goat milk were 5.72±0.38 and 11.15±0.30%, respectively. The mean age at first oestrus age at first mating, age at first kidding, kidding interval, service period and gestation length in Berari goats were 292.10±1.66, 313.25±1.42, 460.74±1.56, 240.86±1.94, 91.65±2.08 and 147.26±0.17 days, respectively. Kidding pattern showed that Berari goat had 59% twinning rate. It was concluded that Berari breed has low milk yield; however milk had higher fat and SNF%. Berari goat had lower age at first oestrus, age at first mating and age at first kidding and higher litter size also, which indicated that Berari goats has early maturity with high prolificacy.
Arabidopsis to Zebrafish: A Commentary on "Rosetta Stone" Model Systems in the Biological Sciences

The Rosetta Stone was discovered by a French Officer of Engineers in July 1799, near the town of Rashid, also known as Rosetta, Egypt. Inscribed on the slab of black basalt were three scripts of the same text, in Egyptian hieroglyphics, Egyptian popular script, and Greek. The importance of the stone for understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics was immediately apparent. Through comparisons of the scripts, which turned out to have many complexities, the hieroglyphics were eventually deciphered, primarily through the efforts of the English polymath physician-physicist-natural philosopher Thomas Young (1773-1829) and the French scholar Jean François Champollion (1790-1832). The Rosetta Stone, now in the British Museum, is physically a dramatic object and was the key to decoding the ancient hieroglyphics. By the end of the 20th century, the term "Rosetta Stone" came into popular use to mean something, essentially anything, that acts as a "key" to "some previously unattainable understanding. " A recent advertisement in a scientific journal shows a photograph of the Rosetta stone and proclaims that "Company X" sells a computer package that "provides you with the key to discovering information in a language even older than hieroglyphics: DNA, the language of life. " Out understanding of cell growth and multiplication increased enormously during the first half of this century, but many basic aspects are still wrapped in mystery. During the past two decades, a new phenomenon has appeared in the pursuit of explaining biological mechanisms: namely, the proliferation of groups of investigators that have found it profitable to promote a particular biological species as a "Rosetta Stone"—that is, a species purported to be the experimental key for
Effects of mating status on body weight, oviposition, egg load, and predation in the predatory stinkbug Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Effects of mating on body weight, oviposition, and egg load in the predatory bug Podisus maculiventris (Say) were studied in the laboratory using the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. , as prey. In the early stage of adult life (i.e., from day 3 to 10), mated females had higher body weights than unmated ones. Mated females produced about twice as many eggs as virgin females but longevity was similar. Unmated predators oviposited less frequently and later in life than mated predators. High egg loads found in 7-d-old unmated females suggested that mating in the genus Podisus stimulates egg deposition rather than oogenesis. Results are compared with previous studies on the life history of the predator under laboratory conditions. Females of P. maculiventris in our study had markedly higher body weights and fecundity rates than those in odier studies. Approximately 10-15% of P. maculiventris females succeeded in mating with males of the smaller-sized Neotropical species Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas). Such females initiated oviposition at the same time after mating as females mated with conspecific males. Their fecundity was intermediate between that of virgin females and females mated with conspecific males, but none of their eggs developed. Mating status had a significant impact on predation and consumption of caterpillars of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner). Mated females of P. maculiventris attacked and consumed 3-4 times as many prey as unmated females. The implications of these findings for evaluating the reproductive and predatory potential of this pentatomid are discussed.
Food habits and feeding behavior of the cownose ray,Rhinoptera bonasus, in lower Chesapeake Bay

The most important food item of the cownose ray,Rhinoptera bonasus, in the Virginian tributaries of lower Chesapeake Bay is the soft shell clam,Mya arenaria. The Baltic macoma,Macoma balthica, ranks a distant second. Adult rays feed on deep burrowing mollusks, juveniles on shallow- or non-burrowing bivalves. Foraging schools of rays invade tidal flats during the flood tide. Stirring motions of the pectoral fins combined with suction from the expansive orobranchial chamber are probably used to excavate deep burrowing bivalves.
Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Cynanchum bungei Decne (Asclepiadaceae) in Response to Photoperiod, Temperature, and Seed Size

Cynanchum bungei Decne is a rare, endemic, and important medicinal plant species in China. Seed germination and early seedling growth of large seeds (greater than 7 mm) and small seeds (smaller than 7 mm) were investigated at three temperatures (15, 20, and 25 8C) in both continuous light and alternating light/dark photoperiods to determine seed propagation requirements. Photoperiod significantly affected seed germination and early seedling growth. Germination and seedling growth at a 12:12-h photoperiod performed better than in continuous light. Temperature had a significant effect on germination index (GI), vigor index (VI), germination velocity (GV), mean germination time (MGT), shoot biomass (SB), root biomass (RB), and taproot length (TL), but no significant effect on final germination percentage (FGP). A temperature of 20 8C was the optimum temperature for seed germination and early seedling growth. Average growth height (AGH) and relative growth rate (RGR) of shoots at 15 8C were greater than that at 20 8C. Large seeds had better germination and seedling performance than small seeds. However, small-seeded seedlings had greater biomass allocated to roots (BAR) and root-to-seedling ratio (RSR) than seedlings from large seeds. Small seeds of C. bungeicould be more competent in unfavorable soil and light conditions than large seeds.
Comparative ecology of two co-occurring floodplain plants: the native Sporobolus mitchellii and the exotic Phyla canescens

In the northern Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), Australia, the displacement of native floodplain grasses by Phyla canescens (Lippia), an exotic herb, coincided with a reduced frequency of floodplain inundation owing to river regulation. Although river regulation and P. canescens occur in the southern MDB, P. canescens abundance has not increased significantly since 1988. This work reports on the current distribution of P. canescens and the native grass Sporobolus mitchellii on the lower River Murray. It demonstrates that there are significant differences in the edaphic characteristics of sites occupied by the two species and co-occurrence is rare. To explain this observation, two factors were investigated: the resilience of S. mitchellii to invasion by P. canescens and the response of both species to artificial spring floods. At initial densities of >25%, S. mitchellii exhibited strong resilience to invasion by P. canescens. The growth response of both species to spring floods was similar. However, P. canescens reproduced asexually when inundated and, on exposure, exhibited a root distribution that would enhance its capacity to survive future droughts. In contrast, S. mitchellii was more tolerant of low soil moisture than P. canescens. The re-introduction of spring floods could favour the expansion of P. canescens.
Dispersal Rates Under Variable Patch Density

This paper presents an inclusive-fitness model for the evolution of dispersal rates in subdivided populations where patches vary in the density of resources available for breeding and relatedness among patch mates of the same sex. If male and female relatednesses and male immigration rate are independent of patch density, then the model predicts that the mean number of non-dispersers per unit of reproductive resource remains constant among patches. Experimental data from the colonial, wing-polymorphic thrips of the species Hoplothrips karnyi support this prediction of the "constant-non-disperser" principle.
Uses of pesticide in foods: curse for health.

The World Health Organization and the UN Environment Programme estimate that each year, 3 million workers in agriculture in the developing world experience severe poisoning from pesticides, about 18,000 of whom die. Use of pesticides in India began in 1948 when DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was imported for malaria control and BHC for locust control. India started pesticide production with manufacturing plant for DDT and benzene hexachloride (BHC) in the year 1952. Currently, there are approximately 145 pesticides registered for use, and production has increased to approximately 85,000 metric tonnes. Rampant use of these chemicals has given rise to several shortterm and long-term adverse effects of these chemicals. The first report of poisoning due to pesticides in India came from Kerala in 1958 where, over 100 people died after consuming wheat flour contaminated with parathion. Subsequently several cases of pesticide-poisoning including the Bhopal disaster have been reported. Despite the fact that the consumption of pesticides in India is still very low, about 0.5 kg/ha of pesticides against 6.60 and 12.0 kg/ha in Korea and Japan, respectively, there has been a widespread contamination of food commodities with pesticide residues, basically due to non-judicious use of pesticides. In India, 51 per cent of food commodities are contaminated with pesticide residues and out of these, 20 per cent have pesticides residues above the maximum residue level values on a worldwide basis. It has been observed that their long-term, low-dose exposure are increasingly linked to human health effects such as immune-suppression, hormone disruption, diminished intelligence, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer. In this light, problems of pesticide safety, regulation of pesticide use, use of biotechnology, and biopesticides, and use of pesticides obtained from natural plant sources such as neem extracts are some of the future strategies for minimizing human exposure to pesticides.
Wetland birds. Habitat resources and conservation Implications

Wetland birds provide us with some of nature’s most wonderful sights, from vast flocks wheeling overhead to newly hatched chicks drying in the sun. Apart from their beauty and recreational and economic importance, these birds are excellent indicators of water quality and measures of biodiversity. But how do they use wetland habitats, and how can we best conserve and maintain them for the future? Here, Milton Weller describes the ecology of wetland birds by identifying patterns of habitat use and typical bird communities that result from the use of resources such as food, cover, and breeding sites. He integrates basic and practical information on bird–habitat relationships for researchers, landowners, managers, and birders alike. As wetlands continue to decline, this book will help us to understand the potential and the limitations of wetlands as bird habitats.
The evolutionary fate of Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthetase 1 (P5CS1) genes in allotetraploid Brassica napus

Although the regulatory and the functional aspects of proline accumulation in plant stress tolerance have been well‐documented since it was discovered more than half a century ago, the evolution of proline metabolic genes in polyploidy species and their diploidy progenitors is not understood so far. Here, we have studied the retention and the expression regulation of Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthetase 1 (P5CS1) genes in allotetraploid, Brassica napus, in comparison with its diploids progenitors, B. rapa and B. oleracea under salt stress. Our results indicated that all six P5CS1 genes from two diploid progenitors were retained. Sequence analysis revealed that all Brassica P5CS1 genes had a highly conserved exon–intron structure, similar to P5CS1 in Arabidopsis. In addition, two homeologous genes with different origin, BnaA.P5CS1. a and BnaC.P5CS1. d exhibited biased expression in different organs in B. napus, implying possible sub‐functionalization of P5CS1 in B. napus. All six P5CS1 genes were induced in response to salt stress in B. napus, which rendered gene dose advantage for the level of proline accumulation. These results indicate that in B. napus, P5CS1 gene loss has not occurred during polyploidization, which suggest conserved functionality and evolutionary benefit of proline accumulation for plant adaptation to environmental stresses.
Use of Olfactory Cues by Newly Metamorphosed Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) during Emigration

Juvenile amphibians are capable of long-distance upland movements, yet cues used for orientation during upland movements are poorly understood. We used newly metamorphosed Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) to investigate: (1) the existence of innate (i.e., inherited) directionality, and (2) the use of olfactory cues, specifically forested wetland and natal pond cues during emigration. In a circular arena experiment, animals with assumed innate directionality did not orient in the expected direction (suggested by previous studies) when deprived of visual and olfactory cues. This suggests that juvenile Wood Frogs most likely rely on proximate cues for orientation. Animals reared in semi-natural conditions (1500 l cattle tanks) showed a strong avoidance of forested wetland cues in two different experimental settings, although they had not been previously exposed to such cues. This finding is contrary to known habitat use by adult Wood Frogs during summer. Juvenile Wood Frogs were indifferent to the chemical signature of natal pond (cattle tank) water. Our findings suggest that management strategies for forest amphibians should consider key habitat features that potentially influence the orientation of juveniles during emigration movements, as well as adult behavior.
Extraction of antioxidants from wheat bran using conventional solvent and microwave-assisted methods

ABSTRACT Total phenolic and tocopherol contents and free radical scavenging capability of wheat bran extracted using conventional and microwave-assisted solvent extraction methods were studied. Three different solvents (methanol, acetone, and hexane) were used in the conventional solvent extraction. Methanol was the most effective solvent, producing higher extraction yield (4.86%), total phenolic compound content (241.3 μg of catechin equivalent/g of wheat bran), and free radical scavenging capability (0.042 μmol of trolox equivalent/g of wheat bran) than either acetone or hexane. However, there was no significant difference in the total tocopherol contents (13.6–14.8 μg/g of wheat bran) among the three different solvent extraction methods. Microwave-assisted solvent extraction using methanol significantly increased the total phenolic compound content to 467.5 and 489.5 μg of catechin equivalent; total tocopherol content to 18.7 and 19.5 μg; and free radical scavenging capability to 0.064 and 0.072 μmol o.
Larval growth, condition and fluctuating asymmetry in the otoliths of a mesopelagic fish in an area influenced by a large Patagonian glacier

Abstract The interaction of melting glaciers and oceanic stormy weather produce a large variability in the water column structure of the coastal sea from the south Pacific coast of Patagonia. This area is largely utilized as spawning and nursery ground for the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus parvipinnis (Sternoptichyidae) during the austral spring. Using microstructure analysis of sagittal otoliths and fluctuating asymmetry of M. parvipinnis larvae from 4.0 to 11.4 mm standard length (SL), we studied the spatial distribution, the variation of larval condition and recent growth during October–November 2009 between 50°06′ and 52°45′S. Hydrographic conditions varied between 1.4 and 9.5°C, 14.6–33.5 units of salinity, 11.5–26.5 units of sigma-t and the stability ranged from 3.6 to 594 cycles h−1. Larval abundance ranged between 3.1 and 293.7 ind. 10 m−2, with the highest abundance associated with channels connecting fjords and the adjacent ocean. Larvae grew at a rate of 0.174 mm day−1, and those individuals collected in areas with intermediate water column stability (216–270 cycles h−1) showed greater body condition, measured as recent otolith growth index (ROGI). However, these larvae had a similar departure from ideal symmetry (FA1 residual model) as larvae collected in more stratified or well-mixed areas. Overall, larvae showed size-dependent asymmetry, sagittal otoliths of smaller larvae (< 7 mm SL) being more asymmetrical than those of large larvae (P < 0.05). This suggests that M. parvipinnis larvae may be experiencing the impacts of water column variability differently, as well as other ecological interactions at different larval stages. Thus, water column structure at hatching would be important for the survival of this fish inhabiting the Patagonian fjords of southern Chile.