Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Microwave Soil Treatment on Subsequent Crop Growth and Yield

Chemical soil fumigation, as a means of controlling weeds, improving crop yields and controlling pathogenic organisms in food and fibre production systems, is commonly practiced in the agricultural industry, especially in high value horticultural crops. Several fumigant chemicals, including Methyl bromide and Metham sodium, have serious health and environmental concerns, which have led to these chemicals being removed from the market (Carter, Chalfant, Goodhue, Han, & DeSantis, 2005; Fennimore, Haar, & Ajwa, 2003; Sances & Ingham, 1997; Sydorovych et al., 2006). A sustained research programme has demonstrated that microwave treatment of insitu soil, using a horn antenna applicator, can effectively kill weed plants and their seeds (Brodie, Hamilton, & Woodworth, 2007; Brodie, Hollins, & Woods-Casey, 2014; Brodie, Ryan, & Lancaster, 2012). It has also been demonstrated that microwave soil treatment can reduce populations of some organisms in the soil, such as Escherichia coli (Brodie, Grixti, et al., 2015), and nematodes (Diprose, Benson, & Willis, 1984); however, the effect of microwave soil treatment on subsequent crop growth has not been studied. This chapter presents the results of recent pot and field experiments to explore the effect of microwave soil treatment on the growth and yield of crop plants grown in the treated soil.
Mindset, Perseverance, and Learning

209 junior school students, ranging from year four to year six, and their nine teachers participated in this study that explored how the psychological factors of growth mindset: the belief in one’s ability to learn and succeed, self-control: the ability to resist temptation and remain focused on a goal, and grit: applying passion and perseverance for long term goals, impact junior school students’ academic achievement. This study found that growth mindset, self-control and grit can all play a part in helping students to achieve academically in primary schools. The two factors, grit and growth mindset were found to have a direct, significant influence on academic achievement. Grittier students were more likely to outperform their peers in academic achievement. Students with a higher growth mindset were also more likely to outperform their peers. Growth mindset had a significant positive relationship with grit. Although the present study did not find a significant difference in grit based on gender, the structured equation model indicated that boys had a significant direct link to grit, but girls compensated through the significant indirect link to grit via self-control. The present study found a highly positive correlation between self-control and grit. Students with higher levels of self-control were more likely to exhibit higher levels of grit.
Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne spp. (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) from Brazil and Central America on two genotypes of Coffea arabica

Among the most damaging root-knot nematode species, Meloidogyne exigua, M. paranaensis, M. incognita, M. arabicida, M. izalcoensis and M. mayaguensis are major agronomic constraints in coffee-growing areas in Brazil and other Latin American countries. The resistance reaction to those six species was studied for the H 419-5-4-5-2 progeny, derived from the artificial hybridization between Catuai Amarelo 'IAC 30' x Timor Hybrid UFV 445-46 selection. The Catuai Vermelho IAC 144 genotype was used as susceptibility control for Meloidogyne spp. The genotypes were inoculated with 6,000 eggs/plant and the experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, replicated 10 times for each Meloidogyne species and genotype. The evaluation was performed at 240 days after inoculation and the reproduction factor (RF= Final population/6000) was used as the variable to evaluate resistance. M. exigua caused typical rounded galls mostly on new roots, and egg-masses were produced mostly in the cortex under the root epidermis. M. incognita, M. paranaensis and M. arabicida caused swollen roots, peeling and cracking of cortical root tissue. No symptoms were observed for M. mayaguensis. M. izalcoensis induced very small galls, mostly on the extremity of new roots. Egg-masses were produced outside the roots in large quantities. The genotype IAC 144 was susceptible (FR>1.0) to all Meloidogyne spp. studied, except to M. mayaguensis. The nematode isolate used in this experiment seems to be a weak parasite for coffee. The H 419-5-4-5-2 progeny was resistant to M. exigua (FR<1) and susceptible to M. incognita, M. paranaensis, M. arabicida and M. izalcoensis.
Potential Indicators and Reference Points for Good Environmental Status of Commercially Exploited Marine Fishes and Invertebrates in the German EEZ

Indicators and reference points for assessing the good environmental status of commercially exploited marine fishes and invertebrates are presented, using 20 stocks from the German exclusive economic zone. New estimates of length-weight relationship, von Bertalanffy growth, length at 50% and 90% maturity, age at 50% maturity, and length and age where cohort biomass is maximum are presented for each stock. Twice the stock size below which recruitment may become impaired (SSBpa) is proposed as a proxy for the biomass that can produce the maximum sustainable yield, which is the lower limit reference point for stock size. A rule-based hockey stick function is presented to estimate SSBpa from stock-recruitment data. The rate of natural mortality is proposed as an upper limit reference point for fishing mortality. The length where 90% of females have reached sexual maturity is proposed as a lower limit reference point for mean length of fishes in commercial catches. The length where cohort biomass is maximum and where therefore a given catch has the least impact on the age structure of the stock is recommended as target length in commercial catches. A new large fish indicator (LFIS) is developed as the ratio of large fish biomass to mature fish biomass. The corresponding upper limit reference point is the ratio of large fish that would be present with fishing mortality equal to natural mortality. Survey data are used to establish proxies for above indicators and reference points for data-poor stocks. Applying the data-poor methods to fully assessed stocks and comparing the resulting scores for good environmental status show good agreement. Data, spread sheets and R-code used in this study are available online.
A note on a class of 4th order hyperbolic problems with weak and strong damping and superlinear source term

In this paper we study a initial-boundary value problem for 4th order hyperbolic equations with weak and strong damping terms and superlinear source term. For blow-up solutions a lower bound of the blow-up time is derived. Then we extend the results to a class of equations where a positive power of gradient term is introduced.
Hepatoprotective Activity of Vitex quinata Roots against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats.

Methanolic extracts of Vitex quinata roots at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg and silymarin was prepared and tested for its hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol induced hepatitis in rats. Alteration in the level of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGOT, SGPT, ALKP, TPL, CHL, TPTN and ALP were tested in both treated and untreated groups. The methanolic extracts of Vitex quinata roots at 200,400 and 800 mg/kg and silymarin showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in all the elevated SGOT, SGPT, ALKP, TBL, CHL and significant increase (P<0.05) in TPTN and ALB levels produced by the toxicant Paracetamol.
The fish community of the berg river estuary and an assessment of the likely effects of reduced freshwater inflows

Data concerning the species composition, abundance and distribution of fishes inhabiting the Berg River estuary are presented and used to assess the value of the estuary to fish, and the likely eflects of reduced freshwater inflows. A total of 31 species was recorded, eight of which were classified as estuarine residents, 11 as marine estuarine-opportunists, six as marine stragglers and six were freshwater species. Liza richardsonii, an opportunist, was the most abundant (54% N) and widely distributed species encountered during the winter and summer seine-net surveys. Three other species (all residents) contributed more than 10% of the total catch; Atherina breviceps and Caffrogobius nudiceps occurring most abundantly in the lower estuary, and Gilchristella aestuaria in the middle estuary. The low number of species compared with estuaries in other regions of the South African coast reflect a well-established marine biogeographical trend. The higher proportions ol resident species, entirely dependent species and partially dependent species suggest, however, that west coast estuaries may be more important to the fish that inhabit them than are estuaries in other regions. It is concluded that the fish community of the estuary is already suffering the effects of habitat degradation and that further reductions in freshwater inllows are not desirable.
Nitric Oxide Regulates Growth Factor Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Growth factor signaling plays a critical role in cancer proliferation and invasion. Therefore, molecules, involved in growth factor signaling have become the targets of cancer therapy, and many drugs targeting growth factor signaling pathways have been developed. Some of these drugs have been used clinically, while many more are being tested in clinical trials. However, to date, molecule-targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer have not been developed.
Pharmacology of Adenosine Receptors and Their Signaling Role in Immunity and Inflammation

Since the late 1920s, the importance of the physiological role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its metabolites, mainly adenosine, has been clear. In 1970, strong evidence now suggests ATP as a neurotransmitter in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerves supplying the gut. Initially, the hypothesis of purinergic transmission encountered some resistance, however, this concept is now widely accepted and purines are considered powerful extracellular messengers in peripheral and central nervous system and to non-neuronal cells, including immune, and inflammatory cells. Implicit in the purinergic hypothesis was the presence of purinoceptors. The first evidence for the existence of adenosine receptors, responsible for the physiological effects of adenosine, was only published in the beginning of the 1970s. Through‐ out the 1990s and 2000s adenosine receptors were cloned, and the mechanisms of signal transduction mediated by these receptors were described. Currently, it is well known that adenosine activates four G protein-coupled receptors named A1, A2A, A2B and A3. The A1 and A3 receptors preferentially interact with members of the Gi/o family of G proteins, lowering the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), whereas the A2A and A2B receptors interact with members of the Gs family of G proteins, elevating of intracellular cAMP.
Interactions between floral mutualists and antagonists, and consequences for plant reproduction

While the effect of abiotic factors on leaf herbivory is well known, the relative importance of abiotic conditions influencing both mutualists and antagonists is less well understood. Species interactions could enhance or reduce the direct effects of abiotic factors, depending on how mutualists and antagonists respond to abiotic conditions. We manipulated soil nutrients and shade in a factorial design, and measured soil moisture in the annual Impatiens capensis. We then measured interactions with mutualists (two pollinating species) and antagonists (herbivores, florivores, nectar thieves, and flower bud gallers), as well as plant growth, floral rewards, and plant reproduction. Fertilizer increased plant growth, floral attractiveness, mutualist and antagonist interactions, and plant reproduction. Shade had no effects, and soil moisture was negatively associated with plant growth and reproduction. All effects were additive. Mutualist and antagonist floral interactions both increased on fertilized plants, but antagonists increased at a greater rate, leading to a larger ratio of antagonist to mutualist interactions on fertilized plants. Despite having more antagonists, fertilized plants still had significantly higher reproduction, suggesting higher tolerance to antagonists. The results from this study show that abiotic effects can have consistent effects on antagonists and mutualists, and on both floral and leaf antagonists. However, tolerance to antagonisms increased in favorable conditions. Thus, the direct positive effects of favorable abiotic conditions on
Reproduction in Apis Cerana 2. Reproductive Organs and Natural Insemination

SummaryThe morphology of the genitalia, and the mating behaviour of Apis cerana indica from Peshawar, Pakistan, are described. The morphology of the vagina of the A. cerana queen, in particular the open val vefold, makes instrumental insemination easier than in A. mellifera. In the drone, both the quantity of semen and the concentration of spermatozoa in it are lower than in A. mellifera. In the seminal vesicles about 1·5 million spermatozoa were found per drone, and in the ejaculated fluid about 1·0 million per drone.One queen, dissected immediately after a second mating flight, had a quantity of semen in the oviducts corresponding to that from 14 drones, so on both flights together this queen may have mated with some 30 drones. A mating sign was observed on newly mated queens, but it lacked the chitinized plates found in A. mellifera.It is concluded that, to ensure full insemination, A. cerana queens must mate with more drones than is necessary for A. mellifera queens. Evolutionary trends in the genus A.
Screening soybean lines for heat-tolerant pollen

Heat and drought stress are common problems for crops grown in Kansas. Rarely do these problems occur separately, more often than not they occur in tandem if not simultaneously. The interaction of heat stress and pollen germination was investigated in order to determine if a physiological screen was a feasible method of determining heat tolerance in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. Ten soybean lines (Group A) from the 2006 Northern Region Uniform Soybean Tests were analyzed over two years in four locations consisting of irrigated and dryland field environments, with an additional twenty lines (Group B) analyzed in the second year. Pollen was collected from plants and incubated at either 28 o , 34 o , or 38 o C to determine pollen germination for optimal and stress-inducing temperatures. A three-way interaction of entry x incubation temperature x environment was observed, as well as significant differences among entries, incubation temperatures and environments. Average pollen germination for soybean entries ranged from 25% to 38% across three incubation temperatures and four environments in Kansas during 2006 – 07. The average environment effect for pollen germination ranged from 29% (dryland, 2006) to 34% (irrigated, 2007), while the average incubation temperature effect on pollen germination ranged from 25% (38 o C) to 44% (28 o C). This experiment has shown that increasing incubation temperatures significantly decreases pollen germination in vitro. It has also shown that soybean genotypes differ in pollen germination and that an in vitro screen can be used to characterize these differences. Further studies are needed to establish the relationship between pollen germination, seed set and seed yield in soybean. Work also needs to be completed to determine the proper sample size to adequately characterize differences in pollen germination so that performance differences among genotypes can be used as selection criteria in a plant breeding program.
Use of ginger extract for production of cured and smoked product from spent hen meat

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect ofincorporation of different levels (0, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5% v/v) of ginger extract in the standard curing solution (consisting of salt, sugar, sod, nitrite, ascorbate and phosphate) for the production of smoked product from spent hen meat. After 72 hr of curingat4±1°C, chicken halves were smoked in smoke oven for 5 hr. Chicken halves cured in solution containing different levels of ginger extract showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in tenderness, flavour, juiciness and overall acceptability scores and significant (P<0.05) reduction in shear force values. Incorporation of ginger extract in the curing solution also improved the shelf life of smoked chicken at 4±1°C which was evident from lower lEA numbers and microbial counts compared to control. The study indicates that incorporation of ginger extract at level of 2.5% in the standard curing solution effectively improves the sensory and keeping qualities of smoked spent hen meat.
Irrigational impact of distillery spentwash on the nutrients of S- 30, S-36 and Vishwa (DD) mulberry (Morus alba) leaves

Some varieties of Mulberry plants were irrigated with distillery spentwash of different concentrations. The spentwash i.e., primary treated spentwash (PTSW), 50% and 33% spentwash were analyzed for their plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other physical and chemical characteristics. Experimental soil was tested for its chemical and physical parameters. Sets of Mulberry Plants were sowed in the prepared land and irrigated with raw water (RW), 50% and 33% spentwash. The impact of distillery spentwash on proximate composition, Vitamin content (carotene and Vitamin-C), mineral and trace elements of different varieties of Mulberry Plant leaves were investigated. It was found that the uptake of nutrients of all varieties of mulberry plants (Morus alba) â€“S-30, S-36 and Vishwa (DD), were more in 33% spentwash irrigation than raw water and 50% spentwash irrigations.
Diapause strategy in the parasitoid Psyllaephagus pistaciae

The processes involved in the induction and termination of diapause in the parasitoid Psyllaephagus pistaciae Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Results indicated that the parasitoid P. pistaciae is able to overwinter successfully as a pupa within the mummified psyllid host Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Homoptera: Psylloidea), and the parasitoid clearly responded to a short photoperiod by entering diapause. The incidence of diapause increased significantly with decreasing temperature, indicating the existence of an interaction between low temperature and short‐day photoperiod that resulted in a 100% diapause. However, low temperature alone partly stimulated P. pistaciae to enter diapause. The incidence of diapause was likely to be independent from psyllid nymphal instar and the condition of its mother. This investigation showed that the termination of diapause in the overwintering parasitoid pupae and the duration of diapause completion or adult emergence is photoperiod independent, but dependent on temperature. However, chilling treatment was found to be unnecessary for diapause termination in P. pistaciae, although it decreased the duration of diapause maturation. The positive responses of parasitoids to environmental factors appears to act as a basic strategy to induce diapause in the parasitoid P. pistaciae against extreme climatic conditions.
Physiology and modelling of zinc allocation in aerobic rice

Keywords: Zinc, rice, Oryza sativa, grain, Zn mass concentration, biofortification Zinc (Zn) deficiency in humans is widespread in many regions of the world, especially in the developing world. Rice, the staple food of more than half of the world’s population, is potentially an important source of Zn for people whose diet consists mainly of cereal grain. Therefore, this thesis aimed at exploring the allocation of Zn in rice plants, as a basis for establishing the potential for enhancing their grain Zn mass concentration (ZnMC). Two solution culture experiments, covering wide ranges in Zn supply levels, showed that increased Zn supply resulted in increased plant Zn uptake throughout crop development and in higher ZnMC in all plant organs, but to varying degrees. With higher plant Zn uptake, ZnMC increased most in stems, and least in grains. Two apparent barriers for Zn transport were identified, one between stem and rachis and one between bran and endosperm, since their ZnMCs strongly differed at high plant ZnMC. Using radioactive 65Zn applied to root or leaf after flowering, we found that when rice plants were grown under sufficient or surplus Zn supply, most of the Zn accumulated in the grains originated from uptake by roots after flowering, rather than from Zn remobilised from leaves. On the basis of the results of the above studies on Zn (re-)allocation in rice plants, and derived relations between Zn mass fractions in different organs, we developed a descriptive simulation model to increase quantitative understanding of the relevant processes involved in grain zinc accumulation. Results from an independent field experiment were used for model validation. Results showed that the model allowed reproduction of recognizable patterns of ZnMC for a wide range of absolute values, and simulated grain ZnMC was in satisfactory agreement with observed values, with a mean normalized gross error of 8–11%. Further testing under different conditions is necessary to build confidence in its general applicability. To assess genotypic variation in grain ZnMC, we proposed two new indices: low-Zn tolerance index for grain yield (TIY) and grain Zn mass concentration (TIZnMC). We found TIY and TIZnMC effective in identifying genotypes that perform well in terms of yield and grain ZnMC, respectively, under both Zn-limited and Zn-sufficient conditions. It is concluded that there is limited scope for enhancing ZnMC in rice endosperm by simply increasing the Zn supply to rice plants, not enough to attain values necessary from a human nutritional point of view, because zinc allocation to the endosperm is limited, while observed genotypic differences indicate scope for improvement through breeding.
Effects of incubation temperature on the organic amendment-mediated control of Fusarium wilt of tomato

Organic soil amendments play important roles in the reduction of plant diseases caused by soil-borne plant pathogens. This study examined the combined effects of concentrations of organic amendments, temperature and period of incubation in soil on the management of Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). In an experiment with substrate mixture, Fol reduction was higher when the soils were incubated at 35°C than at 30°C. Disease severity was proportionally reduced as the volume of amendment added increased. Furthermore, disease was significantly lower in substrates incubated for 30days at both temperatures, as compared to substrates incubated for only 15days. The most effective control was achieved with pelletised poultry manure (PPM). In experiments with natural sandy soil, the effects of amendments on Fol populations, measured by real-time quantitative PCR with TaqMan probes, were significant. The highest decreases in Fol DNA resulted when the soil was amended with 2% PPM and incubated at 35°C. The reductions in DNA concentrations was most likely related to the accumulations of high concentrations of NH3 (27.3mM) in soils treated with 2% PPM and incubated at room temperature (RT; 23 ±2°C), or at 35°C. Severity of plants grown in soils incubated at RT decreased by over 40%, and more than 73% when incubated at 35°C, regardless of the rate of PPM. The results indicate that the management with PPM, when combined with heating or solarisation, is an effective control measure against Fusarium wilt of tomato.