Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Damaged Radicles of Presprouted Red Oak Acorns on Seedling Production

Breaking the radicles on presprouted Shumard and cherrybark acorns sown in the spring did not adversely affect seedling production. Fall sowing of unsprouted acorns was as good as or better than sowing stratified acorns in the spring. Even though acorns of most southern red oak species can be stored for up to 3 years (3), their tendency to sprout during storage has discouraged some nursery managers from storing acorns. These nursery personnel have believed that presprouted acorns could not be sown without excessive damage to the tender, emerged radicles. The study reported here was undertaken to assess the significance of such damage to nursery seedlings of two southern red oaks: cherrybark oak (Quercus falcata var. pagodaefolia) and Shumard oak (Q. shumardii).
Breeding Bird Assemblage in a Mosaic of Urbanized Habitats in a Central European City

Abstract There is a lack of data on the population densities of birds breeding in a mosaic of typical urbanized habitats. This study was undertaken to partly fulfil this gap in our knowledge. Counts were conducted in 2008 by means of simplified territory mapping method in a fragment (1197 ha) of a large Central European city (Wrocław, SW Poland). In total, 50 bird species were breeding in the study area in 2008. The House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Common Swift Apus apus and Rock Dove comprised about 3/5 of all breeding pairs. The other group of species, each one with a density between 6 and 13 pairs per 100 ha, included seven species, namely the Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, House Martin, Delichon urbica, Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus, Great Tit, Parus major, Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus, and Jackdaw, Corvus monedula. They comprised together about 1/5. The remaining 40 species nested in a density between 0.1 and 3.5 pairs per 100 ha. The most numerous feeding guild were granivores (53.8%) and insectivores (37.9 %). Birds nesting on buildings comprised together 74 % of all breeding pairs. For a few species (Luscinia megarhynchos, Saxicola torquata, Corvus cornix and Turdus pilaris) an increase in their numbers in the last three decades has been evidenced.
Influence of landscape, habitat, and species co-occurrence on occupancy dynamics of Canada Warblers

ABSTRACT The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is a species of high conservation importance because of its low overall density and long-term widespread population declines on the breeding grounds. Results of previous research on the species suggest that its breeding habitat preferences vary across its range. However, the underlying processes associated with habitat use are unknown. Using a 20 yr dataset, we developed occupancy models for Canada Warblers to determine the influence of habitat characteristics (e.g., understory vegetation, canopy cover), landscape context (e.g., edge, forest patch size), and species co-occurrence on occupancy, colonization, and local extinction parameters. Our results show that multiple habitats are used by Canada Warblers on the breeding grounds; common variables associated with large-scale, long-term occupancy dynamics are forest age, landscape composition at the 100 m and 500 m scales, and mean patch size. Overall, Canada Warblers were nearly twice as persistent in mature forest stands (>80 yr) and large, mixed forest stands. Further, models indicated that species co-occurrence was an important predictor of Canada Warbler occupancy in some cover types. The results of this study increase our understanding of population processes over large, dynamic landscapes and provide essential conservation information to improve habitat and landscape management for the Canada Warbler.
Patterns of Fruit and Seed Production in a Vermont Population of Cassia nictitans L. (Caesalpiniaceae)

LEE, T. D. (Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824). Patterns of fruit and seed production in a Vermont population of Cassia nictitans L. (Caesalpiniaceae). Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 116: 15-21. 1989. -The objectives of the research were to examine some of the factors limiting fruit and seed production in a population of Cassia nictitans at the northern limit of the species' distribution. Experiments conducted in a greenhouse showed that plants were self-compatible and self-pollinating. About half of the unmanipulated flowers produced mature fruits, and selfand hand cross-pollinations resulted in similar levels of fruit production. However, fruits from hand pollinations contained more seeds than those from unmanipulated flowers. In the field, 37% of the initiated fruits aborted; these were primarily those initiated late in the flowering period. Field experiments showed that when competition among fruits for maternal resources was reduced by removing early-developing fruits, late-initiated fruits, which normally aborted, matured. Random removal of developing fruits resulted in increased seed production per fruit, indicating that seed abortion, like fruit abortion, is a consequence of competition among developing reproductive sinks. Predispersal seed predation was absent in the population. Thus, seed production in this population appears to be limited primarily by resources.
Dopamine induces apoptosis in murine tumor cells in vivo

Effect of dopamine (DA) on apoptosis of malignant tumor cells was evaluated in vivo in Swiss mice bearing Sarcoma-180 (S-180) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) transplantable tumors. DA was injected i.p. in two dose schedules: i) 50mg/kg body wt/ day for seven consecutive days beginning day 4 after transplantation and ii) 350mg/ kg body wt, single dose, on day 10 of tumor bearing. Apoptotic cells were detected by in situ nick -end labeling (TUNEL) method 24 hr after completion of treatment. Administration of DA resulted in significant increase (p<0.05) in the number of apoptotic tumor cells both in S-180 and EAC-bearing mice when compared with their matched controls. Single high dose of DA (350mg/kgx1) was found to be more effective in this regard than fractionated dose of equivalent amount of DA(50mg/kgx7). Unlike tumor cells, there was little change in apoptotic index of bone marrow and spleen cells following Da administration in fractionated doses. Single high dose of DA, however, induced marked apoptosis (p<0.05) in marrow and spleen cells of tumor-bearing mice. The results suggest that DA induces apoptosis in murine tumor cells in vivo and this could be an important mechanism of tumor inhibition by this catecholamine.
Expression of cell-mediated hypersensitivity in the lumen of the mammary gland in guinea pigs.

: Two groups of pregnant guinea pigs were sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) by injecting the antigen, incorporated in Freund's incomplete or complete adjuvant, via the IM or foot pad route, respectively. Inoculation of OA into the lumen of the mammary glands during subsequent lactation elicited an influx of leukocytes into the milk only in guinea pigs exhibiting OA-specific delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity (DTCH); ie, only in the animals that previously were given OA in Freund's complete adjuvant. Lactating female guinea pigs, passively sensitized to OA by immune serum obtained from donors that exhibited specific DTCH, did not respond top intramammary inoculation of OA. Recipients of peritoneal exudate cells, obtained from syngeneic donors that exhibited DTCH to OA, in turn exhibited DTCH and responded to intramammary inoculation of OA with a transient release of leukocytes into the milk. Emigration of leukocytes into the milk, elicited by antigen in specifically sensitized hosts, appeared to be a local expression of a general state of lymphocyte-dependent hypersensitivity.
The use of nondestructive sensors to assess nitrogen status in potted dianthus (Dianthus chinensis L.) production

Abstract: Optical sensors are a fast and nondestructive new technology used to estimate plant chlorophyll content by measuring leaf reflectance or absorbance of light. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) values calculated by the GreenSeeker™ hand held sensor as an indirect indicator of dianthus (Dianthus chinensis L.) N status, and investigate nutrient supplementation on deficient ‘Telstar™ White’ and ‘Telstar™ Red Picotee’ plants. Pots were supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g of 15N-3.9P-10K controlled release fertilizer (CRF). Soil and plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter, GreenSeeker™ NDVI sensor, and atLEAF meter readings were recorded for four consecutive weeks. At 49 d after planting (DAP), the 0 and 5 g treatments were found deficient and half of the pots were supplemented with extra fertilizer for treatment correction (C 0 and C 5, respectively). The SPAD and atLEAF readings showed stronger correlation to actual leaf N concentration compared with the GreenSeeker™. The GreenSeeker™ readings were less correlated with leaf N concentration at early stages of establishment due to the plants’ small size and background noise, as well as at later stages of establishment due to anthesis. Dianthus quality responses generally increased as fertilizer rates increased. The additional correction treatment showed a significant improvement in C 5 and no significant improvement on C 0, indicating that the correction treatment was beneficial for dianthus when initial amount of fertilizer was applied.
Effect of sowing time on the growth and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) cultivated during fall-winter period in Subtropical climate

The aims of the study were to investigate the effect of sowing time on the phenotypic response of sweet corn hybrids cultivated during the fall-winter period, with supplementary irrigation, in Northwest Region of Parana State, where has a Subtropical climate, without a specific dry season. The treatments consisted of the combination of four sowing dates (02/18; 03/04; 03/18; 04/01) and two commercial sweet corn hybrids (Tropical Plus and RB6324) in two years (2011 and 2012). The characteristics assessed were growth, production component, phenological cycle and accumulated thermal sum. The sweet corn plant growth was limited by delay in the sowing time that negatively affected the production components. The postponement of sowing time did not influence the accumulated thermal sum, although the number of days to harvest of the plants sown on February 18 th and April 4 th were, respectively, 93 and 120 days. The hybrid RB6324 presented the best productive performance and the second half of February was the preferential time for sowing sweet corn in the fall-winter period in the Northwest Region of Parana State, Brazil.
Nitrogen Application Timing Effects on Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) and Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Growth and Yield

Field studies were conducted for two years at two locations near Pendleton and Moro, OR to evaluate the influence of single sub-surface nitrogen (N) fertilizer application timings and multiple N applications on downy brome and winter wheat growth and yield. N applications in fallow, at planting, during the crop season, and several split N application timings were compared to evaluate downy brome interference in winter wheat. N application rates varied between locations as a function of average annual precipitation and accepted agricultural practice. Pendleton and Moro were considered high and low precipitation sites, respectively. At Pendleton in a year of above average precipitation, N applied at planting, in-crop, or split applications of N with part of N applied at planting and part in-crop, increased downy brome dry matter production compared to N applied in fallow. Downy brome infestation eliminated otherwise positive wheat yield benefits of split N application compared to the conventional commercial practice of N application in fallow. In a year of moderate precipitation, N applications at planting, in-crop, or split N applications did not benefit wheat yield compared to N application in fallow, but downy brome dry matter was increased. In a dry season, N rates and timings did not increase downy brome dry weight or wheat grain yield. In the absence of downy brome, alternative N application techniques increased wheat yield only under high growing season precipitation.
Desempenho de um sistema de bombeamento fotovoltaico na região oeste do Paraná

Os sistemas convencionais de fornecimento de energia eletrica nem sempre constituem a melhor opcao para satisfazer as demandas do setor rural, por isso existe uma constante necessidade de se pesquisar sobre a utilizacao de fontes alternativas de energia. Dentre estas fontes pode-se considerar a energia solar. Atendendo a essa necessidade, o trabalho aqui desenvolvido estabelece como objetivo analisar o desempenho de um sistema de bombeamento de agua acionado por energia solar, realizado na cidade de Medianeira - PR. O sistema de bombeamento, por acoplamento direto, e composto por um gerador fotovoltaico, Solarex MSX-56, um motor de corrente continua e uma bomba de diafragma SolarJack SDS-D-228.
Tuberization in potato at high temperatures: Interaction between temperature and irradiance

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago) responded similarly to high temperatures and low irradiance by diverting dry matter to the shoots rather than the tubers, and changes were noted in a range of morphological characteristics. It is proposed that the effect of both high temperature and low irradiance is brought about by the increased production of a growth substance, possibly gibberellin, which inhibits tuber formation, and that tuber yield is determined by the balance between temperature and irradiance.
DIFFERENTIATION OF THE EPIDERMIS OF NECK, TAIL AND LIMBS IN THE EMBRYO OF THE TURTLE EMYDURA MACQUARII (GRAY, 1830)

The development of the skin in turtles and the differentiation of the first keratinized layers are largely unknown processes. The histology and ultrastructure of the developing skin of neck, tail and limbs of the embryo of the turtle Emydura macquarii were studied. This study showed that three to four embryonic layers are initially formed from the basal layer. They contain scarce bundles of 8-12 nm-thick intermediate filaments of keratin, and many coarse 28-35 nm-thick filaments of unknown nature. The coarse filaments form reticulate bodies similar to those of lepidosaurian reptiles and birds, and form large aggregations within corneocytes of the embryonic epidermis. Embryonic layers also contain mucus and vesicular bodies, the latter associated with lipid droplets. Lipids and mucus are partly discharged into the amniotic fluid. Shortly before hatching, typical αkeratinocytes, containing keratin filaments and no coarse filaments, replace the embryonic epidermis. Mucus and lipids are, however, retained among α-keratinocytes after hatching. The loose dermis of early embryonic stages rapidly turns into a dense connective tissue that strengthens the delicate epidermis. Large collagen fibrils contact the basement membrane of the epidermis of the tail. Lipidic material is also stored in dermal fibroblasts.
Inheritance of Resistance in Melon PI 313970 to Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Incited by Podosphaera xanthii Race S

A new strain of cucurbit powdery mildew incited by Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) Braun & Shishkoff (formerly Sphaerotheca fuliginea), designated race S, is virulent on all the commonly used melon (Cucumis melo L.) powdery mildew race differentials and first appeared on melon in Yuma, AZ, and Imperial Valley, CA, in 2003. Melon PI 313970 (C. melo var. acidulus) was resistant to P. xanthii race S in 2003 and subsequent years. Inheritance of resistance to P. xanthii race S was studied in two naturally infected, replicated field tests in Imperial Valley in 2005 and 2009 using the parents and F 1 , F 2 , and reciprocal backcross generations from crosses of PI 313970 with powdery mildew-susceptible 'Top Mark'. Resistance to race S was recessive: all F 1 and BC TM individuals were susceptible. One recessive gene, designated pm-S, conditioned resistance to race S in the F 2 and BC PI . The relationship of pm-S to the previously reported recessive and codominant genes in PI 313970 for resistance to P. xanthii races 1, 2, 2U.S. , 3, 3.5, 4.5, and 5 remains to be determined.
The current and future organisational structure of the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health)

Les auteurs se penchent sur la structure organisationnelle de l'OIE (Organisation mondiale de la sante animale) et soulignent le role joue par le Bureau central, les Commissions specialisees, les Commissions regionales, les Groupes de travail et les Groupes ad hoc, les Representations regionales, les Laboratoires de reference et les Centres collaborateurs. Ils livrent egalement quelques pistes de reflexion sur les moyens a mettre en oeuvre par l'OIE pour se rapprocher de ses clients (les Pays Membres), dans l'esprit des dernieres theories en matiere de flexibilite organisationnelle, tout en prenant en compte la situation actuelle de l'OIE et notamment les orientations du Plan strategique et du Plan de travail adoptees en 2001, lors de la 69 e Session generale du Comite international de l'organisation.
Ultrastructure des diverticules digestifs d'un Mytilidae des sources hydrothermales du Pacifique oriental

Le mytilidae des sources hydrothermales possede un tractus digestif fonctionnel bien que de taille reduite, l'ultrastructure de la glande digestive revele des categories cellulaires identiques a celle des autres bivalves. Il n'y a donc pas de modifications morphologiques cellulaires en reponse a l'environnement particulier dans lequel vivent ces mollusques
Modeling Bythotrephes longimanus invasions in the Great Lakes basin based on its European distribution

The predatory cladoceran Bythotrephes longimanus LEYDIG has a natural distribution that extends throughout much of the Palearctic region, and an ever increasing distribution in the Great Lakes basin of North America, where it was first observed in 1982. In this study we define characteristics of 55 waterbodies with and without Bythotrephes in Europe, and use these distributions to predict the species' occurrence in 49 lakes in the Great Lakes basin of North America. Lakes in Europe that supported Bythotrephes were significantly larger, deeper, had higher transparency and lower maximum bottom temperature during summer, and lower total chlorophyll concentration, than those that lacked the species. These patterns also were observed for lakes in North America, although differences between invaded and noninvaded basins were significant only for lake area and maximum depth. A discriminant function model correctly predicted Bythotrephes occurrence in 91 % of study lakes in Europe, and was influenced most by Secchi disk transparency and lake surface area. Application of this model to North America correctly predicted occurrence of Bythotrephes in 82 % (18 of 22) of lakes in which the species has been recorded. However, the model incorrectly predicted Bythotrephes presence in 74 % (20 of 27) of lakes in which the species has not yet been observed. These findings indicate that many of the study lakes in the Great Lakes basin may be vulnerable to invasion by Bythotrephes.
Impact de la cuisson et de la température à cœur sur les valeurs nutritionnelles du rôti filet de porc

Nutritional values of fresh pork retail cuts have been recently updated in a national program. Experimental design of a part of the program was set up to estimate the domestic cooking impact on the nutritional value of pork loins, and target cooking temperature influence was also determined. Analysis were conducted on 36 loin samples distributed in 4 treatment groups that applied endpoint temperatures from 70°c to 80°c, including control samples (raw). Cooking induced an increased content for a majority of minerals (from +12% to+55% for total iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and selenium) as for proteins, total fat, cholesterol, SFA, ash, B2 and B12 vitamins. Our results describe PUFA and MUFA (from -3% to -39%), B3 and B6 vitamins (-25%) as heat sensitive nutrients. Endpoint temperature had no critical effects on nutrient composition of pork loins, except for MUFA, PUFA and vitamin B3 levels that showed a significant decrease above the threshold of 75°C endpoint temperature.
Evaluating nest supplementation as a recovery strategy for the endangered rodents of the Florida Keys

The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) are federally endangered subspecies endemic to the tropical hardwood hammocks of Key Largo, Florida. Woodrats are considered generalists in habitat and diet, yet a steady decline in natural stick nests and capture rates over the past several decades suggests that they are limited by the availability of nesting habitat due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The more specialized Key Largo cotton mouse appears to rely on old growth hammock, a habitat type that is rare following past land clearing. In 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started building supplemental nest structures to restore habitat quality and connectivity for these endangered rodents, but nest use requires evaluation. We used camera traps and occupancy models to evaluate the factors influencing woodrat and cotton mouse use of the supplemental nests. We detected woodrats at 65 and cotton mice at 175 of 284 sampled nest structures, with co‐occurrence at 38 nests. Woodrat nest use followed a gradient from low nest use in the north to high nest use in the south, which might relate to the proximity of free‐ranging domestic cat (Felis catus) colonies in residential developments. Cotton mouse nest use, however, was related positively to mature hammock and related negatively to disturbed areas (e.g. scarified lands). The two species occurred independently of each other. Stick‐stacking behavior was observed at supplemental nests and, although it was correlated with detection of woodrats, it was not a strong predictor of their occurrence. We suggest that nest supplementation can be an important tool for species recovery as habitat quality continues to improve with succession.
Antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of tilapia skin collagen peptide in mice

Summary In this study, tilapia collagen peptide (TCP) was prepared by alcalase hydrolysis of tilapia skin, and the antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of TCP were investigated. The results showed that TCP possessed DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals-scavenging activities. In diabetic mice in which diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan (50 mg kg−1 bw), high-dose TCP (1.7 g kg−1 bw) and the drug metformin (1.0 g kg−1 bw) were found to reduce 31.8% and 30.3% of blood glucose levels in 25 days, respectively. Moreover, in diabetic mice receiving high-dose TCP, antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT were increased by 23% and 59.2%, respectively, and MDA was decreased by 39.1%. Comparing the treated high-dose TCP group with the metformin group, there were similar SOD (61.5 U mg−1 vs. 60.2 U mg−1) and MDA (1.4 nmol mg−1 vs. 1.3 nmol mg−1), but more (~7%) CAT (359.8 U g−1 vs. 336.1 U g−1). Together, the present data, for the first time, demonstrated that TCP possessed hypoglycaemic effects in mice.