Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Erwinia amylovora by nested PCR and PCR-dot-blot and reverse-blot hybridizations

The sensitivity and specificity of four methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Erwinia amylovora were compared. A previously developed single-round PCR assay was used to amplify a specific 1-kb DNA fragment of plasmid pEA29, known to be unique to and conserved in E. amylovora. The ends of the 1-kb single-round PCR product were sequenced, and two new oligonucleotide primers were designed from sequences internal to the original primers and used in nested PCR. These primers directed amplification of a 844-bp fragment from the 1-kb first-round PCR product directly from E. amylovora cells but not from other bacteria associated with apple. Less than one cell of E. amylovora from pure culture was detected with nested PCR-an increase in sensitivity of 1,000-fold compared to single-round PCR. The lower limit of detection of PCR-dot-blot and reverse-blot hybridization methods was approximately 20 cells. Weak positive signals were sometimes produced by bacteria other than E. amylovora in hybridization experiments but only if nonspecific PCR products were visible on ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. When asymptomatic apple tissue was screened, E. amylovora was detected in 61, 84, and 100 % of leaf samples; 0, 66, and 80 % of axillary bud samples; and 4, 27, and 75 % of mature fruit calyx samples by first-round PCR, PCR-dot-blot hybridization, and nested PCR, respectively. The potential applications of each method are discussed
The life-cycle of the box-tree pyralid, Glyphodes perspectalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). II. Developmental characteristics of larvae.

ツゲノメイガGlyphodes perspectalis (WALKER)の生活史を解明するため,非休眠世代と休眠世代の幼虫の発育経過を調査した。 1) 25°Cで個体飼育された非休眠幼虫は6齢期を経過した。 また,各齢期の発育期間は1∼5齢は3日前後,6齢は約8日であったが,雄の6齢幼虫期間は雌より約1日短かった。 2) 3種のツゲを用いて20°Cで個体飼育した非休眠幼虫は,餌によって経過齢数が5∼7齢期に変化した。 平均経過齢数はクサツゲが5. 6齢,セイヨウツゲが5. 9齢,チョウセンツゲが6. 0齢となった。 また,雄に比べて雌の経過齢数が多い傾向にあった。 3) 室内条件下で休眠誘導した幼虫は,20°Cではほとんどのものが4齢期であり,これは餌によって変化しなかったが,日長時間が長くなるにしたがって,5齢幼虫の割合が増加した。 一方,15°Cと25°Cでは5齢幼虫で休眠に入るものが半数以上を占めた。 また,これらの休眠幼虫の頭部の大きさは同齢期の非休眠幼虫より明らかに小さかった。 4) 休眠に至るまでの幼虫発育日数を調査したところ,若齢幼虫の発育期間は非休眠幼虫との間に差はみられなかったが,休眠直前の齢期すなわち休眠繭を形成するステージで発育遅延がみられ,非休眠幼虫のおよそ2倍であった。 5) 野外で越冬した幼虫を用いて,その後の発育経過を観察したところ,越冬世代幼虫は,非休眠世代より1齢期多い7齢期を経過することが明らかとなった。
Protons Enhance the Gating Kinetics of the α3/β4 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor by Increasing Its Apparent Affinity to Agonists

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely distributed in the nervous system. Although there is a vast literature on the molecular, structural and pharmacological properties of neuronal nAChR, little is known of their pH regulation. Here we report that rapid acidification (pH 6.0) enhances the current through the α3/β4 recombinant nAChRs expressed stably in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and accelerates its activation kinetics without altering selectivity. Acidification also strongly accelerates the decay kinetics (“desensitization”) of cytisine- and nicotine-evoked currents (p K a ∼6.1), but the effect is somewhat smaller with acetylcholine and carbachol (undetermined p K a values), suggesting that protonation of the agonist contributes to the relaxation of the current. Transient increases of [H+]o from pH 7.4 to 6.0, during the time course of decay of the current, enhances the current and accelerates its decay kinetics in a manner similar to reactivation of current by higher concentrations of agonists. We suggest that protons interact with multiple extracellular sites on α3/β4 nAChRs, decreasing the effective EC50 values of the agonist and accelerating gating kinetics, in part by promoting agonist-induced block. We speculate that corelease of protons with ACh from the secretory vesicles may induce rapid and reversible conformational changes in the slowly “desensitizing” α3/β4 nAChRs, leading to accelerated signaling.
Influence of ectomycorrhizal colonization on the growth and mineral nutrition of Populus deltoides under Aluminum toxicity

Abstract Aluminum (Al) toxicity has been considered an important factor in limiting the growth and nutrient acquisition of sensitive tree species in acidic soils. Mycorrhizal fungi may offset the negative impacts of Al in the root zone. Here, we report our studies on the effect of Al on the growth and mineral nutrition of Populus deltoides in the presence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants were exposed to Al levels of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/l for 10 weeks. The biomass of mycorrhizal plants increased significantly than non-mycorrhizal plants. The mycorrhizal plants showed higher levels of mineral nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium compared to nonmycorrhizal plants in different concentrations of Al. Al content significantly decreased in shoots of mycorrhizal plants compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The oxalic acid concentration was significantly increased in mycorrhizal plants over non-mycorrhizal plants. These results suggest that ectomycorrhizal colonization confer Al tolerance to P. deltoides plants and Al induced enhancement of organic acids by P. involutus is very likely to be associated with Al tolerance.
Studies on Water Damage in Mungbean. I. Effect of Weathering on Seed Quality and Viability

The expansion of mungbean production in Australia is severely limited by the susceptibility of current cultivars to weather damage in the field. The aim of this research was to describe the causes, process, and effects of weathering in mungbean as the first step toward the breeding of resistant cultivars. Symptoms of weather damage were produced by exposing plants to simulated rainfall/high humidity and by subjecting seeds to cycles of wetting and drying. In both cases, symptoms progressed from discolouration, wrinkling, and cracking of the testa, to germination of the seed. Symptoms produced in controlled experiments were the same as those observed in the field. Only seeds that imbibed during the wetting phase developed symptoms of weather damage on drying. Exposure to one cycle of weathering also advanced the timing and degree of damage to seeds during subsequent cycles. This was associated with an increased rate of water absorption in weathered seeds. The lowering of apparent resistance to weather damage with prior exposure to rainfall suggested that only protected material be screened for weathering resistance. The death of seeds remained the ultimate expression of the changes induced by weathering.
Diel activity patterns of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in southeastern Minnesota

Abstract An understanding of activity patterns of wildlife in relation to abiotic and biotic factors enables biologists to better understand the ecology of species, manage resources, standardize survey methods, and serve as an index of the relative density of a species. River otters (Lontra canadensis) were radiotracked between June 2002 and October 2003. Using radiotracking data, we conducted exploratory analyses to determine relative influence of abiotic and biotic factors on 2 measures of activity of otters. Abiotic factors included air temperature, barometric pressure, lunar phase, biological season, and time of day; the biotic factor was sex. Activity was measured indirectly via movement rates and directly as the proportion of location attempts recorded as active (PLA). Movement rate was defined as the distance traveled by an otter between consecutive location estimates. Generalized linear mixed models were used to explore the influence of covariates on both measures of otter activity. The model best explaining variation in movement rate included biological season, sex, a season*sex interaction, and time of day. Males moved at greater rates than females during breeding and winter seasons but moved at similar rates to females during summer. Covariates found to account for most variation in the PLA of otters included time of day, season, and temperature. Otters were active throughout the day but with bimodal peaks in the PLA during late evening and early morning hours. The PLA of otters was highest during breeding season, lowest during winter, and intermediate in summer months. In addition, the PLA of otters decreased slightly with increasing temperature. Overall, the PLA of otters in our study area was influenced by abiotic factors, and movement rates of otters were influenced by abiotic and biotic factors.
Ethnomycolgical Knowledge on Uses of Wild Mushrooms in Western and Central Nepal

This paper highlights the knowledge on the uses of various wild mushrooms by the different ethnic castes and community inhabiting in the vicinities of Lumle (Kaski, western Nepal) and Kathmandu valley (central Nepal). The research carried out revealed that among 24 species 18 mushrooms are used as culinary, 8 for medicinal value and 3 for other purposes. Key Words: Clavariales, Ethnomycology, Kathmandu, Lumle, Mushrooms, Nepal doi:10.3126/on.v3i1. 329 Our Nature (2005)3: 13-19
Ecology and life history of the scansorial arboreal lizard Plica plica (Iguanidae) in Amazonian Brazil

A field study on two populations of the tropical iguanid lizard Plica plica in the Brazilian Amazon revealed that this lowland forest species is diurnal, occurs on vertical smooth-barked trunks of the largest trees in the forest, and feeds mostly on ants. Comparisons between rainy season samples from Para and dry season samples from Rondonia show that even though lizards ate, on average, the same number of prey, prey were larger in Rondonia and prey diversity was greater in Para. Lizards sleep on tree trunks or similar surfaces when available, apparently leaving the trees only to deposit eggs. Clutches are deposited in palm litter and inside rotted palm trunks. Clutch size averages 2.9 ± 0.1 eggs and is significantly correlated with female snout–vent length. The reproductive season appears to be extended in that females produce at least two clutches. Relative clutch mass of females is low compared with that of other sit-and-wait foraging lizard species, and this, coupled with the flattened morphology, pre.
A new look at members of the superfamily Brachyopoidea (Amphibia, Temnospondyli) from the Early Triassic of Queensland and a preliminary analysis of brachyopoid relationships

Two further finds of Keratobrachyops australis Warren (Amphibia, Temnospondyli, Chigutisauridae) from the Early Triassic Arcadia Formation of Queensland provide new information concerning skull characters not noted in the holotype. The holotype of Xenobrachyops allos Howie (Amphibia, Temnospondyli, Brachyopidae) from the same locality is redescribed following the discovery of several features not previously noted. In addition, new but fragmentary brachyopoid material from the Arcadia and overlying Glenidal Formations provides information on derived character states within the superfamily. Controversy surrounds the correct familial composition of the superfamily Brachyopoidea, with the family Brachyopidae being allied by various authors with a diversity of other Triassic and Permian families. A cladistic analysis of a number of these families has been performed in an attempt to determine interfamilial relationships. Our results support a brachyopid-chigutisaurid dichotomy within the Brachyopoidea, but also.
Cytology of Sexual and Apomictic Paspalum Species.

The cytology, reproductive behavior and fertility of seven different Paspalum species were studied to determine how they might be used in an interspecific hybridization program. Paspalum palustre Mez and P. bertonii Hack. were diploids with 2n=2x=20 chromosomes. Paspalum dedeccae Quarin; P. denticulatum Trin. , and one P. distichum L. accession were tetraploids with 2n=4x=40 chromosomes. Another P. distichum accession, P. inaequivalve Raddi, and P. ramboi Barreto were hexaploids with 60 chromosomes. Meiosis was regular with primarily bivalent pairing in P. palustre, P. bertonii, tetraploid P. distichum, P. inaequivalve and P. ramboi. Paspalum dedeccae, two P. denticulatum accessions, and hexaploid P. distichum were meiotically irregular with univalent, bivalent and multivalent (primarily quadrivalent) associations at metaphase I. Megasporogenesis and embryo sac development in P. palustre, P. bertonii, and P. inaequivalve indicated sexual reproduction. Paspalum palustre and P. bertonii were self-incompatible and did not produce self-pollinated seed but P. inaequivalve was self-compatible. Paspalum dedeccae, P. denticulatum, P. distichum, and P. ramboi all reproduced by aposporous apomixis.
Differential response of rice germplasm to straighthead induced by arsenic

Straighthead disease is a physiological disorder of rice (Oryza sativa L.) characterized by sterility of the florets leading to reduced grain yield. Knowledge of the straighthead response of new cultivars is important for producer control of this disease, and identification of resistant germplasm is essential for breeding improved cultivars. The objectives of this study were to characterize U.S. cultivar reactions to straighthead and search for resistant germplasm. Twelve lines, including 10 U.S. cultivars, a Chinese and Japanese cultivar, were tested for straighthead reaction induced by monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) at 0, 6.7, and 9.0 kg ha -1 under nitrogen fertilizer of 0, 67, 134, and 269 kg N ha -1 in 1999 and 2000. Straighthead delayed heading date, shortened plant height, and dramatically reduced grain yield. Cocodrie, Mars, Kaybonnet, and Bengal were highly susceptible to straighthead with ratings from 7.2 to 8.0 and grain yield reductions from 80 to 96%. Wells, LaGrue, Drew, Cypress, and Japan 92.09. 31 were susceptible with ratings from 5.9 to 6.7 and yield reductions from 49 to 73%. Priscilla and Jefferson were tolerant with ratings of 4.9 and 5.3, and yield reductions of 24 and 36%, respectively. The Chinese indica cultivar Zhe 733 was essentially immune to straighthead, showing neither symptoms nor detectable yield reduction. A total of 124 Chinese cultivars including 109 indica and 15 japonica were evaluated for straighthead resistance in 2001. Nineteen cultivars, 18 indica and 1 japonica, were identified as straighthead resistant. Grain yields of the resistant cultivars were not significantly reduced by their straighthead ratings of 1 to 3. Variation in yield, plant height, maturity, and endosperm type within the resistant germplasm was also observed.
Perfilhamento e produtividade de cana-de-açúcar com diferentes alturas de corte e épocas de colheita

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relacao entre a altura do corte basal de colmos e da epoca de colheita da cana-de-acucar e suas consequencias no perfilhamento e na produtividade da cana-soca. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em fatorial 2x3x3, constituidos de dois genotipos (IAC86-2480 e RB72454), tres alturas de corte (0, 10 e 20 cm, acima do nivel do solo) e tres epocas de colheita (maio, julho e setembro de 2006), com quatro repeticoes, em Jau, SP. O 'IAC86-2480' mostrou maior numero de perfilhos por metro linear, em relacao ao 'RB72454', em todas as avaliacoes. No final do ciclo de desenvolvimento, as alturas de cortes de 10 e 20 cm e a epoca de colheita em maio proporcionaram maior numero de perfilhos. Os genotipos de cana-de-acucar responderam a altura de corte e a epoca de colheita dos colmos. O 'RB72454' teve maior produtividade de cana, quando a colheita foi realizada em setembro. A reserva energetica acumulada na base dos colmos favoreceu a rebrota da cana-de-acucar, em condicoes climaticas desfavoraveis. A epoca de colheita interferiu na produtividade de cana e de acucar.
Microbiota bacteriana e citologia da região traqueobrônquica de bezerros no período neonatal

Bronchopneumonia is important for world livestock production and one of the major causes of calf mortality during the first months of life. The preventive and therapeutic measures adopted for the disease in calves in Brazil are usually based on the results of international studies; however there is not enough known which bacteria are implicated. In the first month of life calves show immaturity of their immune system, what has been little studied in regard to pneumonia. The present investigation sought to study neonate bronchopneumonia in calves, to identify which bacteria are present in the respiratory tract of healthy and, with naturally acquired pneumonia calves, to analyze the pulmonary cytological response against pathogens. For this purpose, samples of the respiratory tract were collected by tracheocenthesis. It was noted that the microflora of the tracheobronchial region of healthy and diseased calves was the same, but they were different from the one reported by international papers. The flora was constituted mainly by Staphylococcus sp. , Bacillus sp. , Streptococcus sp. , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacteriae, allowing to infer that the prophylactic and therapeutic measures adopted internationally may not be as effective for the Brazilian condition. It was also found that newborn calves have an approximate ratio of 1:1 of macrophages and neutrophils in the tracheobronchial region when they were healthy, reaching a ratio of approximately 1:3 of macrophages and neutrophils when they were with bronchopneumonia. Probably, these profiles are characteristic of the age, a period when exists immaturity of the immune system and influenced by management factors which lead to greater inhalation of bacterial agents.
Comparison of evaluation methods for selection of resistance to Fusarium head blight in a recurrent selection programme in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The objectives of this study were to compare efficiency of evaluation for resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) under two inoculation methods in a recurrent selection programme. Fifty selected homozygous F 5 fertile lines, from each of five cycles (C0, C1, C2, C3 and C4) of recurrent selection, and two control cultivars were evaluated in a split-plot design in 1995 and 1996 under the soil-surface inoculation with Fusarium graminearum-colonized kernels and the single-floret inoculation with ascospore suspension. Comparison of the two inoculation methods using means, ranges, coefficients of variation, heritabilities and correlations among infected spikelet rate (ISR), reaction index (RI) and disease index (DI) indicated that FHB resistance could be evaluated with similar accuracy and precision using either of the two inoculation methods. Regressions of disease scores in the soil-surface inoculation on disease scores in the single-floret inoculation were positive and highly significant, showing a strong relationship between both inoculation methods for FHB resistance. The percentage of lines with similar performance for FHB disease scores in both inoculation methods was high. The soil-surface inoculation and single-floret inoculation appear to be useful techniques for evaluating numerous individuals of segregating population and screening advanced homozygous lines for FHB resistance in a recurrent selection programme in wheat, respectively.
Cultivar and Seeding Rate Effects on the Competitive Ability of Spring Cereals Grown under Organic Production in Northern Canada

Organically managed production systems often experience greater weed pressure than their conventional counterparts, potentially causing yield losses and increased weed seed build-up. The use of competitive crop cultivars and the cultural practice of increasing seeding rates may moderate such production constraints. Field trials were conducted at two organically managed locations in Alberta, Canada for 2 yr to determine the effect of competition with tame oat (Avena sativa L.), cultivar, and crop seeding rate (300 and 600 seeds m -2 ) on the competitive ability and agronomic performance of Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Cultivars were selected based on their differing heights, tillering capacities, and times to maturity. Simulated weed competition from tame oat reduced grain yield by an average of 27%. Barley cultivars were generally more competitive than wheat cultivars. Height and early maturity were more closely associated with weed suppression and yield maintenance than tillering capacity. The modem semidwarf CDC Go was the highest yielding wheat cultivar, but was a poor weed suppressor. Doubling the seeding rate increased grain yield and weed suppression. This effect was not cultivar specific, which implies that doubling the seeding rate may be a generally effective method of overcoming yield losses and weed seed build-up associated with increased weed populations under organic production.
TECHNIQUE OF THINKING STYLE EVALUATING

The results of psychometric analysis of the new technique of thinking styles diagnostics are presented. The fundamental principles of thinking style concept by A. Belousova, according to which the thinking style is determined by the dominance of a person’s function in the structure of thinking activity during the problem solving, are covered. In accordance with A. Belousova’s ideas that the collaborative thinking activity as a self-organizing system is carried out by means of functions assumed by each participant: function of generating ideas, the function of selection (review and evaluation of information), functions of sense transfer and function of implementation. Thinking of adult, acting as a complex self-organizing system, combines the same functions: generation, selection, sense transfer and implementation. In this connection, we believe that the thinking style is defined as a characteristic set of functions actualized by a person in different situations of the problem solving. Domination of generation function determines the development of initiative thinking style, selection - critical, sense transfer - administrative, implementation - practical. The results of testing the reliability and validity of a new questionnaire for the thinking style diagnostics on a representative sample of Russians are given. The author’s version of the questionnaire is presented.
Five Years of Selection for Viability in White Leghorn Chickens

Abstract ONE method of decreasing mortality in adult chickens is by breeding strains which are resistant to diseases and disorders. An experiment to determine the feasibility of this method was started at the Alabama Experiment Station in 1935. The results of the first 6 years of work are reported in this paper. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The objective of the experiment, as outlined in 1935, was the development of strains of fowls resistant primarily to fowl paralysis, since at that time paralysis accounted for a large part of the adult mortality. Later, when mortality from paralysis was reduced considerably, the objective was expanded to include resistance to other diseases and disorders. Selection of breeders for resistant strain. The breeding females for the 1935 season consisted of hens two years of age or older and pullets. None of these were progeny tested and most of them were not pedigreed. They were mated to old .
Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of dilute acid pretreated sugar beet pulp using response surface design.

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the enzymatic digestibility of sugar beet pulp (SBP). The reaction temperature, enzyme concentration, and SBP loading were studied using a five-level central composite design. Minitab 15 software was used to perform statistical analysis of the data. The result showed that reaction temperature and enzyme concentration have significant effect on the response. The effect of SBP percent solids was found to be insignificant. A quadratic model was developed. A maximum yield of 85% was predicted with the model. Model validation experiments showed good agreement between the actual obtained yields and the predicted yields. Therefore, the model could be used to optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of SBP process. Additional key words: sugar beet pulp, lignocellulosic, biomass, ethanol, pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentable sugar, response surface Jan. June 2012 Enzymatic Digestibility of Beet Pulp 27