Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of winter and spring triticales to fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol accumulation

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum (Schwabe), is one of the most destructive diseases in cereals worldwide. It may severely reduce both grain yield and quality, with potential contamination from trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Spring and winter triticales (X Triticosecale Wittmack) were evaluated in a multi site and year field study to determine their susceptibility to FHB and DON accumulation. Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) and DON levels were affected significantly by both cultivar and site-year. Triticales were generally more susceptible to FHB compared with winter and spring wheat checks, as indicated by the higher levels of FDK and DON levels. A significantly positive linear relationship was observed between FDK and DON levels in winter triticales. This relationship in spring triticales was not significant on the combined data, but at each site-year, the regression was strong. FDK can be a good predictor of DON levels when environmental condit.
Microtopography Influences Early Successional Plant Communities on Experimental Coal Surface Mine Land Reclamation

Surface mining for coal represents one of the dominant forms of anthropogenic disturbance to forests of the eastern United States. Reclamation methods adopted under federal law in the 1970s have led to a state of arrested succession, failing to achieve pre‐disturbance conditions. New methods of reclamation have been proposed with the goal of returning mined land to its former forested state through the use of compaction reducing techniques that significantly increase fine‐scale heterogeneity. The Forestry Reclamation Approach creates topographic heterogeneity by loosely dumping overburden material into large piles to serve as a tree‐planting medium. We examined the effect of fine‐scale topographic relief, soil physical properties, and reclamation method on early plant community development on a mine site in eastern Ohio. We sampled plots at four microtopographic positions and three distances from the remaining forest edge in both experimentally and traditionally reclaimed areas of a surface mine. Multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) on distance matrices indicated significant differences in plant community composition among microtopographic positions and reclamation methods. Microtopographic positions also exhibited significant differences in measured soil properties significantly affecting plant community composition. Plots in the traditionally reclaimed areas had no woody plant colonization, indicating arrested succession common to sites reclaimed using traditional methods. Our results suggest that the creation of topographic heterogeneity at the time of reclamation markedly accelerates ecological succession and promotes enhanced plant community diversity. Expanded application of the methods used here could allow for a faster return to the former forested state of mined lands than traditional reclamation methods.
Field observations of dispersion, mating and development of Amorbus obscuricornis (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Aspects of the behaviour and development of Amorbusobscuricornis were observed in the field during spring and summer 1994/1995 at a site in southern Tasmania. Nymphs of A. obscuricornis remained predominantly on host plants on which they were initially observed for much of their development. Some movements between hosts occurred with migrating nymphs ranging in age from second to fourth instar. Most adults observed for the first time on hosts were males, a number of which were later recorded with females. Males were observed to have longer host residence times (7–56 days) than females (≤ 7 days). Complete nymphal development was roughly estimated to take considerably fewer degree‐days under fluctuating field temperatures than at constant temperature. This suggested that other mechanisms (e.g. basking) may significantly influence nymphal growth and development.
Ecosystem effects of dense water formation on deep Mediterranean Sea ecosystems: an overview

Natural episodic events, such as gravity flows, submarine landslides, and benthic storms can determine severe modifications in the structure and functioning of deep-sea ecosystems. Here, we report and compare the ecosystem effects produced by dense water formation events that occurred in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean) and the Aegean Sea (NE Mediterranean). In both regions, the rapid sinking of cold dense waters, driven by regional meteorological forcings, results in important immediate modifications that can be summarised in: (i) increased organic matter content in the deep basin; (ii) diminished benthic abundance; and (iii) changes of benthic biodiversity. At longer time scale the analysis reveals, however, different resilience times in the two regions. The Gulf of Lions is characterized by a very fast (months) recovery whereas the Aegean Sea shows much longer (45 years) resilience time. New long-term studies are further needed to identify the potential effects that changes in the duration, intensity and frequency of episodic events could have on the structure, biodiversity and functioning of the deep Mediterranean Sea under environmental and climate change scenarios.
Ant Fauna in Megadiverse Mountains: a Checklist for the Rocky Grasslands

The rocky grasslands, environments locally known as campos rupestres , occur mainly along the Espinhaco Mountains and are considered local centers of biodiversity and endemism in Brazil. However, knowledge of ant species richness (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in this kind of environment is still poor. Aiming at filling this gap, we compiled information from empirical studies and literature records. We found a total of 288 species of 53 genera and eight subfamilies recorded in rocky grasslands. Myrmicinae and Formicinae were the most representative subfamilies, with 53% and 18% of the total species richness, respectively. The genera with the largest number of species were Pheidole (41) and Camponotus (40). This large number of ant species recorded for the rocky grasslands surpasses those found in other studies conducted in several different places. Ant species richness decreased with altitude; most species occur below 800 m a.s. l. (171), and only a few species occur above1600 m a.s. l. (17). Some genera occur only at a specific altitude (e.g., Azteca and Dolichoderus at 800/900 m a.s.l.; Leptogenys and Labidus at 1400 m a.s.l.), which points out to the potential use of ants as biological indicators. Our results suggest that the rocky grassland s favor high ant diversity. The patterns of ant richness associated with the altitude gradient reinforce the idea of considering the rocky grasslands as priority areas for biological conservation. Moreover, we observed a lack of records on the occurrence of most ant species considered in the present study (93%), which shows that Brazilian myrmecologists need to invest more in taxonomy, management, and data sharing.
Correlates of timing of spring migration in birds : a comparative study of trans-Saharan migrants

The evolution of migratory strategies in birds is likely to have been influenced by ecological as well as socio-sexual factors in both wintering and breeding areas. In this comparative study, we analysed timing of spring passage of 38 long-distance migratory bird species that winter south of the Sahara desert and breed in Europe, in relation to wintering and breeding latitudes, moult strategy, nesting site (open vs. cavity), and sexual dimorphism in size and coloration, which may reflect intensity of sexual selection. We employed a large data set consisting of more than 190 000 individuals ringed during spring migration in the Mediterranean Sea. We found that the species that migrated earlier were those wintering farther north, nesting in cavities and showing the largest degree of sexual size dimorphism (SSD). However, sexual dichromatism was not related to migration date. Among passerine species, moulting wing-feathers in Africa delayed migration. We found no support for the energetic constraint hypothesis, which proposes that early arrival selects for large male size, since early arriving species were not larger than late arriving ones. Thus, the observed associations suggest that variation in migration schedules at the interspecific level may have evolved in relation to ecological factors and SSD, possibly reflecting the intensity of mating competition. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 85, 199–210.
Statistical modelling of annual variation for inference on stochastic population dynamics using Integral Projection Models

Temporal fluctuations in vital rates such as survival, growth or reproduction alter long‐term population dynamics and can change the dynamics from invasion and population persistence to extinction. Projections of population dynamics made in the absence of such fluctuations may consequently be misleading. However, data for estimation of yearly fluctuations in demographic parameters are often limited. Accordingly, the current diverse range of statistical and demographic modelling strategies used for stochastic population modelling may influence predictions. We used simulations to explore the effects of different methods of parameter estimation on projections of population dynamics obtained using stochastic integral projection models (IPMs). The simulations were built from data on a monocarpic thistle, Carlina vulgaris, and an ungulate, Soay sheep, Ovis aries; these populations are subject to yearly fluctuation in vital rates facilitating the exploration of the effects of different methods of model construction on the properties of stochastic IPMs. Specifically, we looked at effects on the stochastic growth rate, log λs, and the mean and variance in the one‐step population growth rate (Nt+1/Nt). Our analyses showed that none of the tested approaches resulted in large biases in the estimation of log λs. However, when realistic study durations (e.g. 12 years) were used for statistical modelling, the confidence intervals around the λs estimates remained large. Estimation of the variance in one‐step population growth rates, on the other hand, was strongly sensitive to the method employed, and the overestimation and underestimation of the variance were also influenced by the life history of the organism. Our findings highlight the need to consider the influences of statistical and demographic modelling approaches when population dynamics have significant temporal stochasticity, as in population viability analyses and evolutionary predictions of bet hedging.
Breeding Cassava for Underprivileged

SUMMARY Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), an important crop in the poorer rural uplands of the tropics, was an obvious target for international research attention in 1970 and the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT, headquartered in Colombia) established a cassava-breeding program. Assisted by many ancillary disciplines, the program defined its mission as breeding for low input conditions in less favorable environments to alleviate the poverty of small farmers through income generation. From its initiation, CIAT worked in a partnership with national programs. The breeding effort depended on the free exchange of germplasm, based on the understanding that CIAT would collect, evaluate, and maintain cassava germplasm and that this and any advanced materials derived from it would be freely available to any public organization. A key decision was to transfer the major applied breeding effort to Asia, while maintaining a basic breeding scheme in Colombia, with the understanding that a crop is usually more successful outside the center of crop origin and diversification than at the center. Fresh root yield of populations was improved by more than 100% and root dry matter content by more than 20%. The national program collaborators used these populations to develop many improved cultivars in many countries. The biological factors considered as critical for this successful breeding effort were: inclusion of a broad base of genetic variability obtained in the center of crop origin and diversification; evaluation of breeding materials under diverse environmental conditions; and a clear understanding of the different operational principles at different stages of breeding advancement. By 2002, Asian national programs had released more than 50 CIAT-related cassava cultivars in nine countries and farmers grew these new cultivars on more than one million ha. The economic benefits resulting from the increased productivity are well beyond one billion US$. The target population of small farmers in the poorer rural areas of the tropics captured a large proportion of these economic benefits. The understanding of crop germplasm being a common human heritage and the determination of agricultural scientists to use this for the welfare of the neediest people were the social factors for the overall success.
Genetic variation within and among five natural populations of endangered Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) subsp. Birrea in Sudan

Knowledge of genetic diversity is important for successful conservation and domestication of species. In order to determine genetic diversity within and among Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Htochst. subsp. birrea populations in Sudan, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used. Leaf materials from 75 seedlings from five populations (Rashad, Alfaid, Alkhwi, Aldamazin and Baw) of this species were used to compare the genetic diversity. A total of 37 bands were generated using four primers. Genetic variation within the populations as estimated by Shannon information index ranged from 0.343 to 0.272 with an overall diversity of 0.306. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 46% of the variation was attributed to differences among the populations and 54% within the populations (P < 0.001). The gene flow among population was small (Nm = 0.297). UPGMA cluster and principal coordinate analyses (PCA) indicated Alfaid as the most distinct population. Since genetic variation was found to occur among and within the populations of S. birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. Subsp. birrea, conservation of these populations would help in the maintenance of the species. Key words : Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea, genetic variation, conservation, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Sudan.
Effects of dietary organic or inorganic manganese, zinc, copper and chrome supplementation on the performance, egg quality and hatching characteristics of laying breeder hens.

Bu arastirma, iki farkli seviyede organik veya inorganik Mn, Zn, Cu ve Cr karisiminin (sirasiyla, 80, 60, 5 ve 0.15 mg/kg ve 40, 30, 2.5 ve 0.07 mg/kg) damizlik yumurta tavuklarinin performans, yumurta kalitesi ve kulucka ozelliklerine etkilerini karsilastirmak amaciyla duzenlenmistir. Arastirma, 50 haftalik yasta, toplam 360 adet Barred Rock hatti ile baslatilmis ve 16 hafta surdurulmustur. 4 ana grup her biri 15 tavuk iceren 6 tekerrure rastgele dagitilmistir. Farkli iz mineral uygulamalari yasama gucu, canli agirlik kazanci, yumurta verimi, yumurta agirligi ve kutlesi, yem tuketimi ve yemden yararlanma gibi performans parametreleri uzerinde onemli bir etki gostermemistir. Yumurta kalite parametrelerinden, hasarli yumurta orani, sekil indeksi, kabuk orani ve kalinligi, ak yuksekligi ve haugh birimi bakimindan gruplar arasinda onemli farkliliklar bulunmamistir. Bununla birlikte, dusuk iz mineral seviyesi kabuk kirilma mukavemetinde onemli bir azalmaya sebep olmustur. (P < 0.05). Farkli iz mineral uygulamalari, kuluckalik ve dollu yumurta oranlari uzerine onemli bir etki gostermemistir. Organik (metiyonin selati) Mn, Zn, Cu ve Cr’ un yuksek (sirasiyla, 80, 60, 5 ve 0.15 mg/kg) duzeyleri cikis gucu ve kulucka randimanini diger gruplara gore artirmistir (P < 0.05)
Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass Response to Varying Levels of Iron

Many biotypes of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) are found on golf course putting greens. Although normally considered an invasive weed, annual bluegrass can provide as good a putting surface as creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.). The most desirable biotypes of annual bluegrass are primarily vegetative and have a low flowering frequency. Whether the nutritional requirements of annual bluegrass biotypes differ from one another or from creeping bentgrass is unknown. The response of three flowering (FAB, high seedhead production) and three vegetative (VAB, low seedhead production) biotypes of annual bluegrass (AB), and the three parents of Penncross' creeping bentgrass (CB) to varying levels of iron (Fe) in greenhouse sand culture was investigated. After establishment, clones were grown for 3 weeks and irrigated with a half-strength Hoagland's solution containing 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg.L -1 Fe in citrate-Fe. Shoot and root responses to Fe were similar for the VAB and FAB biotypes. However, VAB had higher color ratings (darker green leaf color) with Fe treatment level at 4 mg.L -1 than did FAB or CB, which required 6 mg.L -1 Fe for acceptable color. Growth of creeping bentgrass was greater than that of annual bluegrass at every Fe level tested. Shoot dry weights of CB increased significantly with Fe treatment level up to 6 mg.L -1 . Shoot dry weight of AB increased up to 4 mg.L -1 Fe and then declined at ≥6 mg.L -1 . Root growth of CB increased up to 6 mg.L -1 Fe, but then decreased significantly at 8 mg.L -1 Fe. Root growth of AB increased slightly up to 4 mg.L -1 Fe and then declined at 6 and 8 mg.L -1 . Shoot tissue concentrations of Fe were similar for AB and CB at each Fe rate tested except at 8 mg.L -1 Fe, where Fe levels in CB were significantly lower. Based on this work, creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass respond differently to Fe nutrition, but different biotypes of annual bluegrass appear to respond similarly.
On Reproductive Strategies in Marine Benthic Invertebrates

Mathematical models are described relating reproductive energetic efficiency to egg size in marine benthic invertebrates with planktonic and nonplanktonic prefeeding larval development. The models are based on simplified assumptions concerning planktonic and benthic predation and the relations between egg size and method of larval nutrition and between egg size and duration of larval life. The model's predictions include: (a) only the extremes of the possible range of egg size and method of nutrition (i.e., planktotrophy, lecithotrophy) are evolutionarily stable; (b) over a certain range of environmental parameters, the two developmental modes are both evolutionarily stable; (c) planktotrophy is more efficient than lecithotrophy when planktonic food is abundant and planktonic predation low, and lecithotrophy more efficient when either or both of these conditions is reversed; and (d) benthic prefeeding development results in greater efficiency when lecithotrophic development time is long and/or planktonic predation more intense than benthic predation, and planktonic prefeeding development is more efficient when these conditions are reversed. Known geographic trends in developmental patterns are discussed in light of these results, and possible explanations for these trends are offered. Ways of testing the predictions and explanations of geographical trends are suggested.
Effect of total sleep deprivation on egocentric distance estimation following a fatiguing task

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a total sleep deprivation (TSD) on the egocentric distance estimation following a fatiguing task (i.e. sprint repetitions). Ten soccer players (age: 22.8 ± 1.3 years; weight: 72. 8 ± 10 .5 kg; height: 1.8 ± 0.03 m) were volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were invited to estimate different distances in two different sessions (i) following a reference night and (ii) following a night of TSD. The distance estimation consists to perceive three different distances (15, 25, and 35 m) before and after a repeated sprint exercise on a cycloergometer. The results demonstrated a significant effect of TSD on the perception of egocentric distance (F (1.9) = 11.22, p < 0.01). Indeed, the results showed an underestimation (compression of the real distance) of all distances at rest and following the repeated sprint exercise. Additionally, the underestimation was more acute after the fatiguing task. TSD affects the estimation of egocentric distance by soccer players at rest and following fatiguing task.
Investigation of Some Macro Nutrients Absorption in Two Chrysanthemum Cultivars (Yellow Delta and Cerise Delta) Grown under Greenhouse Conditions

The aim of the study was to investigate the amount of the macro nutrients taken up from the soil by chrysanthemum plant which shows an increasing trend of plantation in the Antalya region. For this purpose, two cultivars of chrysanthemum plant, Yellow Delta, Cerise Delta, were grown in a plastic greenhouse of a grower, and samples from the plants, except seedlings, were taken 8 times at two weeks intervals. The amounts of the macro nutrients taken up by Yellow Delta and Cerise Delta from decare were calculated 14.86 kg N, 4.28 kg P2O5, 24.55 kg K2O, 11.29 kg CaO, 2.47 kg MgO and 12.87 kg N, 3.13 kg P2O5, 21.28 kg K2O, 12.96 kg CaO, 2.74 kg MgO respectvely. The highest amount of macro nutrients was taken up by the leaves and stems of the plants. The results obtained showed that ending of the fertilizer application after two months of plantation, which was the case in the greenhouses used, was a mistreatment, and the application of fertilizer should be carried out, at least, to the end of 3 months after plantation. Furthermore, in the application of fertilizers potassium should be given a special importance due to its highest amount compared to other nutrients taken by the plants.
Desempenho de tambaqui cultivado em tanques-rede, em lago de várzea, sob diferentes taxas de alimentação

The objective of this work was to estimate the effect of feeding rates, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of body weight per day, on growth performance and metabolic parameters of tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, reared in cages located in a floodplain lake. Fish fed at 5% of body weight per day presented better feed conversion; total plasma protein values, after 90 days, were significantly lower than in other treatments. A daily feeding rate of 5% body weight, for tambaqui juveniles reared in cages in floodplain lakes, allows a satisfactory performance.
Redescrição de Choeradoplana iheringi Graff (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Terricola)

Choeradoplana iheringi Graff, 1899 was described on specimens proceeding from Taquara, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Afterwards, RIESTER (1938), MARCUS (1951) and FROEHLICH (1955) analyzed specimens from southeast Brazil, identifying them as C. iheringi. In this study samples of C. iheringi from Sao Francisco de Paula, a site next to the type-locality, and specimens from the Southeast (Salesopolis, state of Sao Paulo), are comparatively analyzed. It was observed that the external morphology of the specimens from Sao Francisco de Paula and from Salesopolis is concordant with the original description of C. iheringi, as well as that by RIESTER (1938) and MARCUS (1951). The pharynx is better designated as bell-form, and not collar-form as described by GRAFF (1899). The copulatory apparatus is characterized by the presence of an intra-bulbar prostatic vesicle, consisting of two regions, an ental tubular one and an ectal one of variable shape; absence of penis papilla; and a male atrium, elongated and highlypleated. The copulatory apparatus of C. iheringi described by GRAFF shows some anatomical characteristics that distinguish it from the material studied by other authors, and from the material analyzed here. Some anatomical and histological characters of the copulatory apparatus distinguish the specimens from Sao Francisco de Paula from those of Salesopolis which are assigned to populational and/or physiological differences. The specimens from Sao Francisco de Paula and Salesopolis, as well as those analyzed by RIESTER (1938) and MARCUS (1951), are confirmed as C. iheringi Graff, 1899.