Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ENHANCED ACCUMULATION OF MINERAL-N FOLLOWING CANOLA

The accumulation of mineral-nitrogen (N) in the top 10 cm of soil during the summer fallow was measured in 2 replicated field experiments following a range of crops including wheat, oats, canola, peas and lupins. At the first site, mineral-N was measured following harvest and in autumn before sowing subsequent crops across 3 seasons (1994–96). Crop residues were retained on the surface with intermittent grazing by sheep throughout the summer fallow and burnt before the autumn measurements. The smallest increase in mineral-N accumulation occurred following the cereals in all 3 seasons (mean increase 31 kg/ha). The highest accumulation of mineral-N in all seasons occurred following canola (mean 94 kg/ha), 3 times as much as that following cereals, and significantly higher than that after the legumes in 2 of the 3 seasons (mean 50 kg/ha). Differences in the amount, N content, or C : N ratio of the surface-retained crop residues are unlikely explanations for the observed differences in mineral-N accumulation. At a second site, measurements of the accumulation of mineral-N following canola and wheat were accompanied by measurements of populations of selected microorganisms involved with N cycling in soil. More mineral-N accumulated after canola than after wheat, however, populations of free-living, N-fixing bacteria, potential Azospirillim species and NH4+ oxidising bacteria were significantly lower following canola than following wheat, and populations of total bacteria and NO2− oxidising bacteria did not differ. These results suggest that greater mineral-N accumulation following canola does not result from a shift in those microbial populations which favour mineral-N accumulation, however, more detailed studies are required to resolve the exact cause of the differences. A possible explanation is that biocidal compounds released by canola roots during decay may cause a general ‘biofumigation’ and thereby result in a flush of mineral-N similar to that which accompanies chemical fumigation.
USE AND SELECTION OF SAP TREES BY YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS

Abstract Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) obtain phloem sap from clusters of holes that they peck in living trees. I examined trees that sapsuckers used for sap extraction in northern Michigan and tested several hypotheses to explain why they choose specific trees for attack and why they cluster their holes in one place on the bole of each of these focal trees. Sapsuckers preferentially attacked individuals of paper birch (Betula papyrifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), juneberry (Amelanchier sp.) and bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata). They made clusters of sap holes an average of 7.13 m from the ground and within 1 m of a live branch; most clusters were located above old holes or other wounds from previous years. Each new sap incision through the bark to the phloem stream was made above a previous one and was enlarged for an average of 3.1 days before being abandoned for a new, higher hole. The resulting long vertical chains of holes were made alongside others to form tight clusters of holes at a single spot on the tree. Sapsuckers did not select trees for sap extraction based on location relative to nesting sites or on microclimate conditions of water availability and tree density. Individual trees used for sap extraction did not have thinner bark, more moisture in bark samples, or larger crowns, but they did score lower in an index of overall tree health. Experimental evidence suggested that sapsuckers cluster their holes to induce the accumulation of sap in bark that they will attack for future sap extraction. Thus, sapsuckers appear to overcome some of the difficulties in obtaining phloem sap by choosing specific species and individuals, clustering sap holes above previous wounds, and possibly by farming their resource throughout the season by girdling the tree's phloem stream with each successive sap incision. I attempted to duplicate the wounding techniques and patterns of wounding of sapsuckers but was unable to induce sap flow from the same or similar trees in the area.
Morphology, arrangement and classification of sensilla on the apical segment of labium in Peiratinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

The present paper describes sensory structures on the apical segment of the labium in representatives of the subfamily Peiratinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), using the scanning electron microscope. The study is based on dry material representing 19 species and 16 genera. Within Peiratinae thirteen morphologically distinct types of sensilla were identified. Among them were four new types of sensilla (porous placodea sensillum [PPLS], multilobate sensillum [MS], domeelongated sensillum [UDES], and pit peg sensillum type 2 [NPPS2]) were found. Mechanosensilla are evenly distributed on the surface of the labium and form a characteristic pattern in various species. The main characters of the third visible (apical) segment of the labium are: presence of different sized sensilla of the chaetica type 1, 2, and 3; trichodea sensilla (TS); campaniform sensilla (CS); and various types of nonporous pit peg sensilla (NPPS1, NPPS2, and NPPS3). Distally on the apical segment of the labium dome-elongated sensilla (UDES) there are a characteristic arrangements, described as (3+3) and (1+2). Chemical sensilla are grouped on the tip of the labium. The position, number, and types of chemical sensilla on this area are very similar in all studied species.
Zoogeography of Chilean inland water crustaceans

The Chilean inland water crustaceans are characterized by a combination of endemic and cosmopolitan species: some occur throughout the territory of continental Chile, while others are restricted to specific latitudinal regions. This study examined the zoogeographical patterns exhibited by Chilean inland water crustaceans. We considered six regions: Northern Chile (18o-27°S), North-Central Chile (27o-30°S), Central Chile (30o-38°S), Northern Patagonia (38°-41°S), Central Patagonia (41o-51°S), and Southern Patagonia (51o-55°S), and these were identified based on literature records of inland water crustaceans. The classification analysis generated dendrograms for the following groups considered in this categories: all inland water crustaceans (Branchiopoda, Copepoda and Malacostraca), the zooplanktonic crustaceans (Branchiopoda and Copepoda), the Malacostraca alone, and each group separately. Analysis of total data and of the zooplankton group taxa alone revealed the existence of a main grouping consisting of the three Patagonian zones plus Central Chile, that is distinct from that of Northern Chile and North-Central Chile. Similarly, analysis of the malacostracan data revealed the existence of two main groups, one comprising the three Patagonian zones plus Central Chile, contrasted with a second group of Northern and North-Central Chile combined. Our results are in agreement with other panbiogeographical studies of South American crustaceans and insects. Possible factors responsible for generating this pattern are the dispersal and colonization potential of zooplanktonic crustaceans and the marked endemism of the malacostracans.
The role of Arabidopsis WRKY33 in modulating host immunity towards the necrotroph Botrytis cinerea.

The Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factor WRKY33 is a key transcriptional regulator of plant responses towards B. cinerea strain 2100 infection, and is essential for resistance. To elucidate the critical molecular components involved, global mapping of WRKY33-regulated target genes was performed by integrating ChIP-seq data of WRKY33 binding sites with RNA-seq results of 14h B. cinerea-induced and WRKY33-dependent gene expression profiles. Comparative gene expression analysis between resistant wild-type Columbia-0 and susceptible wrky33 mutant plants revealed that B. cinerea 2100-induced WRKY33 has both transcriptional activator and repressor roles in regulating hundreds of target genes with distinct molecular functions, but mainly acts as a transcriptional repressor. Genome-wide analysis confirmed previously known WRKY33 targets involved in ethylene and jasmonic acid hormone signaling and phytoalexin biosynthesis, but also uncovered new vital components affecting the complex regulatory circuitry affecting resistance towards Botrytis. In particular, the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic genes NCED3 and NCED5 were identified as key targets of WRKY33-mediated resistance towards this necrotroph. Further genetic, biochemical and molecular studies confirmed that WRKY33 acts upstream of NCED3 and NCED5 to negatively regulate ABA biosynthesis and signaling. These results reveal a novel role of WRKY33 in modulating host immunity by repressing part of the ABA hormone regulatory network. Comparative analysis of WRKY33 function between the B. cinerea avirulent strain 2100 and the virulent strain B05.10 revealed that Botrytis-induced WRKY33 gene expression and protein accumulation are significantly lower in B. cinerea B05.10 infected WT plants than in plants challenged with strain 2100. As a consequence, the expression levels of WRKY33-regulated target genes involved in the biosynthesis of antifungal camalexin and JA/ET related defense signaling are clearly reduced upon B05.10 infection. However, WRKY33-overexpression lines were clearly resistant to B05.10. These data strongly suggest that WRKY33-dependent early immune responses in WT plants were negatively affected by B. cinerea virulent strain B05.10. Further analysis of Arabidopsis ABA deficiency mutants in combination with B. cinerea B05.10 BcABA mutants revealed that, as is the case for strain 2100, Arabidopsis-derived ABA negatively regulates plant immune responses to B05.10. Elevated JA/ET levels were observed in nced3 nced5 double mutants, suggesting that ABA antagonizes JA/ET signaling upon B05.10 infection. This ABA antagonism of JA/ET signaling was dependent on WRKY33. In conclusion, this thesis provides novel insights into the role of WRKY33 in modulating host immunity towards both an avirulent and a virulent strain of the necrotrph B. cinerea.
CONFIRMING THE METAZOAN CHARACTER OF A 565 MA TRACE-FOSSIL ASSEMBLAGE FROM MISTAKEN POINT, NEWFOUNDLAND

ABSTRACT Surface locomotory trace fossils from the Mistaken Point Formation of Newfoundland, dated at ∼ 565 Ma, suggest that organisms capable of controlled locomotion and possessing muscular tissue may have existed among Avalonian Ediacaran macrofossil assemblages. Here we describe the Mistaken Point trace-fossil assemblage in full, discuss its stratigraphic context within the Mistaken Point Formation, and explore the competing hypotheses for the formation of the traces. We find that the trace fossils, preserved within a turbidite succession in a deep-marine depositional environment, are not attributable to abiogenic structures, to Ediacaran tubular or filamentous body fossils, to rangeomorph stems, or to a host of late Ediacaran and early Phanerozoic ichnofossils. Specimens within the assemblage show some similarities to the ichnogenera Helminthoidichnites and Archaeonassa, but discrepancies in certain aspects of their structure mean that we do not formally attribute them to these ichnotaxa at this time. The Mistaken Point ichnofossils possess morphological characteristics indicative of formation by an organism with a round base. Comparison with traces formed by modern organisms of such character appears to rule out formation by protistan, echinoderm, or annelid styles of movement, but is consistent with organisms moving via muscular controlled locomotion in a similar way to some modern mollusks and actinian cnidarians. We suggest therefore that the Mistaken Point trace-fossil assemblage reveals the presence of muscular metazoans in late Ediacaran deep-marine ecosystems. Such organisms cannot yet be attributed to specific phyla, but their inferred locomotory mechanisms share closest similarities with those utilized by extant actinians.
Trainee teachers' ideas about endangered birds

This article explores trainee teachers' conceptions and ideas about endangered bird species and their protection. The study involved 191 students majoring in kindergarten education, primary school natural science or secondary school biology education at the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Education, Slovenia. Data analyses showed that the majority of students thought that human intervention is needed to protect endangered bird species. One out of five gave no answer to the question posed, or lacked knowledge to address the issue. Only a few of the answers indicated the importance of education in the protection of endangered bird species.
When seaweeds go bad: an overview of outbreaks of nuisance quantities of marine macroalgae in New Zealand

When large volumes of macroalgae wash up on beaches, accumulate in coastal areas or within confined bays, there can be significant local impacts. Blooms of macroalgae are being reported throughout the world with increasing frequency in estuarine and coastal areas in both temperate and tropical regions. This review examines examples of nuisance accumulations of macroalgae in New Zealand, the geographic and seasonal distribution of nuisance algal records, available data on impacts on coastal communities, including impacts on human activities, and considers some of the factors that may lead to excessive growth, as well as attempts to ameliorate the associated problems.
The Development of the Descriptive Video Servicesm

Television is an important means of obtaining information and sharing in the culture of this society. Because it is primarily a visual medium, blind and visually impaired people have not had full access to it. In 1990, after five years of research and development, a national service became available over the Public Broadcasting Service that makes television accessible to blind and visually impaired viewers. Developed by WGBH-TV in Boston, Descriptive Video Servicesm provides narrated descriptions of the key visual elements of television programs without interfering with their audio or dialogue.
PPARδ agonism induces a change in fuel metabolism and activation of an atrophy programme, but does not impair mitochondrial function in rat skeletal muscle

PPARα agonism impairs mitochondrial function, but the effect of PPARδ agonism on mitochondrial function is equivocal. Furthermore, PPARα and δ agonism increases muscle fatty acid oxidation, potentially via activation of FOXO1 signalling and PDK4 transcription. Since FOXO1 activation has also been suggested to increase transcription of MAFbx and MuRF‐1, and thereby the activation of ubiquitin–proteasome mediated muscle proteolysis, this raises the possibility that muscle fuel selection and the induction of a muscle atrophy programme could be regulated by a single common signalling pathway. We therefore investigated the effect of PPARδ (delta) agonist, GW610742, administration on muscle mitochondrial function, fuel regulation, and atrophy and growth related signalling pathways in vivo. Twenty‐four male Wistar rats received vehicle or GW610742 (5 and 100 mg per kg body mass (bm)) orally for 6 days. Soleus muscle was used to determine maximal rates of ATP production (MRATP) in isolated mitochondria, gene and protein expression, and enzyme activities. MRATP were unchanged by GW610742. Muscle PDK2 and PDK4 mRNA expression increased with GW610742 (100 mg (kg bm)−1) compared to vehicle (P < 0.05), and was paralleled by a twofold increase in PDK4 protein expression (P < 0.05). The activity of β‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase increased with GW610742 (P < 0.05). Muscle MuRF1 and MAFbx mRNA expression was increased by GW610742 (100 mg (kg bm)−1) compared to vehicle (P < 0.05), and was matched by increased protein expression (P < 0.001), whilst Akt1 protein declined (P < 0.05). There was no effect of GW610742 on 20S proteasome activity and mRNA expression, or the muscle DNA: protein ratio. GW610742 switched muscle fuel metabolism towards decreased carbohydrate use and enhanced lipid utilization, but did not induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, GW610742 initiated a muscle atrophy programme, possibly via changes in the Akt1/FOXO/MAFbx and MuRF1 signalling pathway.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL MULTIFUNCTIONAL SULPHUR OXIDIZING BACTERIUM (SOB) AND ITS USE AS BIOFERTILIZER

The Sulphur oxidising bacteria (SOB) have been isolated from 8 different samples viz., match factory, sewage, paper effluent, treated tannery effluent, untreated tannery effluent, rhizosphere soil, acidic soil and treated beverage waste. The isolates were checked for their ability to oxidise sulphur and solubilise insoluble phosphate, nitrogen fixation and antagonistic activity against plant pathogenic fungi like Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium solani. The obtained isolates were characterized using biochemical tests, temperature and pH tolerance tests and screened by PCR using specific primers (soxB).
Survival and residual activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus frozen cultures under different conditions

Summary Eight strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus complex were subjected, as concentrated cultures in skim milk, to different freezing treatments (rapidly in liquid nitrogen and more slowly in cold air at −30 °C), then stored at −80 and −30°C for 9 months. Survival was determined by plate counting with and without bile salts or sodium chloride at the highest tolerated concentration for each strain, to distinguish the undamaged population from the total population. Fermentative activity was measured as total lactic acid production by thawed cultures under standard conditions. Higher survival rates and greater activity were always obtained by storing cultures at −80 °C, but most strains stored at −30°C also survived well. Analysis of variance revealed that the viability of the frozen cultures was affected more by storage temperature than by cooling rate. Selective media were unable to distinguish the active population from the total surviving population. The correlation between values for activity and survival with selective media was poor.
Grain yield of dual-purpose wheat cultivars as affected by nitrogen and cuttings

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization and aerial part cuts on yield components, grain yield and quality of the grains for dual-purpose wheat cultivars. The experiment was carried out between May and November 2007 and the experimental design was randomized complete blocks with three replications. The main causes of variation were dual-purpose wheat cultivars (BRS Figueira, BRS Umbu, BRS Guatambu and BRS Taruma), nitrogen doses (0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha -1 ) and cut systems. Each plot was subdivided by cut management (without cut, one cut and two cuts). Spike mass, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spikelet, grain yield and hectoliter weight were evaluated. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect the performance of wheat genotypes, but there was interaction between the management systems and the cultivars. The shorter-cycle cultivars (Figueira and Umbu) presented greater grain yield than the others when they were not cut. As quality and yield fell when Figueira and Umbu were cut, the later cultivars (Taruma and Guatambu) are more adapted to cut (grazing). The lack of an effect from nitrogen dose and application strategy on the variables studied was influenced by the ecological conditions prevailing during the experimental period.
A Resistance to Systemic Symptom Expression of Melon Necrotic Spot Virus in Melon

Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) has been found affecting melon (Cucumis melo L.) crops. At present the only known resistance in melon is controlled by a single recessive gene, nsv. The presence of nsv in a melon genotype has been correlated with the lack of necrotic lesions on the mechanically inoculated cotyledons. Thus, in a screening program for MNSV resistance, melon genotypes that developed necrotic lesions in the inoculated cotyledons were discarded. However, in this paper we show that some melon accessions mechanically inoculated with MNSV do develop local necrotic lesions, therefore showing the absence of the gene nsv, but fail to develop the systemic symptoms typical of diseased plants under the screening conditions. In some of these accessions the infl uence of the temperature on the development of systemic symptoms was studied. The results showed that, depending on the accession, temperatures under 25 or 20 °C enhanced the systemic development of the disease. One of the tested varieties, 'Doublonʼ, did not develop systemic symptom at any of the tested temperatures (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, and 30 °C). In this variety, the lack of systemic symptoms was cor- related to the lack of virus infection of these tissues based upon ELISA results. MNSV was not detected in the uninoculated parts of the plant, and seems to remain confi ned to the local lesions produced on the cotyledons following the mechanical inoculation. Restriction of viral multiplication and/or cell-to-cell movement could explain the pattern of viral distribution in this variety. This reaction was observed in the 'Doublonʼ plants mechanically inoculated with each of fi ve isolates of MNSV tested, including an isolate that overcomes the nsv gene resistance.
Influence of probiotic administration by feed or water on growth parameters of broilers reared on medicated and nonmedicated diets

SUMMARY Two separate performance trials were conducted to determine the effects of postpelleting feed or drinking water application of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic, alone or in combination with a phytogenic product, on growth parameters of broilers fed medicated or nonmedicated diets. Trial 1 consisted of 1,000 straight-run broilers that were randomized, placed in floor rearing pens, and fed medicated diets. At the conclusion of the experiment, BW of broilers receiving the probiotic were not different (P > 0.05) when compared with control broilers. In trial 2, stocking densities were increased to simulate local industry rearing practices, resulting in a total placement of 1,880 chicks in the same rearing facility. Broilers in trial 2 were fed nonmedicated diets. Broilers administered the probiotic by intermittent drinking water application had increased (P < 0.05) BW and improved FCR (P < 0.05) through d 40 compared with control birds. Similarly, broilers receiving the phytogenic product had reduced (P < 0.05) FCR at d 40 compared with control broilers. We conclude that probiotic administration, alone or in combination with a phytogenic product, has the potential to influence broiler performance during commercial grow-out.
Determination of the best cotton cultivars and selection criteria to improve yield in Gorgan climatic region

The purpose of this research was to introduction cultivars of high products in Gorgan region climatic condition and studies the interrelationships between the seed cotton yields and several traits of 8 cotton genotypes at plant Institute, Gorgan, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. A positive significant (P<1%) correlation was observed between yield and weight of seed cotton in first harvest. Stepwise regression and path analysis showed that, weight of seed cotton in first harvest, number of monopodial branches and weight of seed cotton in second harvest could explain the maximum of variations of yield (R2 = 0/963). The weight of seed cotton in first harvest had the highest direct effects on yield/plant (P = 1/087). Due to their high direct and or indirect effects on yield, weight of seed cotton in first harvest and weight of seed cotton in second harvest can be used as selection criteria to identify the high yielding genotypes. The result of lint quality showed that genotype Siokra from the view point of lint percentage, lint length, lint homogeneity, lint resistance and fiber strength has a better quality than Sahel cultivar. Key words: Cotton, seed cotton yield, correlation, stepwise regression, path analysis, lint quality.