Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of a combining feed grade urea and a slow-release product on performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics of steers fed finishing diets

Recent findings have shown that microbial nitrogen flow and digestible energy of diet are increased when urea (U) is combined with a slow-release urea product (SRU) in diets with a starch:acid detergent fibre (S:ADF) ratio of 4.5, while feed grade U has shown greater effects on growth performance or dietary energy utilization when the diet contains a S:ADF ratio of greater than 5.0. These results can be partially explained by the better synchronization of ruminal degradation rates between those U sources with the carbohydrates of the diets. Therefore, 60 crossbreed steers (372.4 ± 15 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of combining U and SRU in a diet with a S:ADF ratio of 4.5 vs. U that was supplemented in diets with different S:ADF ratios (3.5, 4.5 and 5.5) on growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics. U combination did not affect average daily gain (ADG), but reduced dry matter intake [DMI, as % of body weight (BW)] enough to increase feed efficiency (G:F) and dietary net energy (NE). As the S:ADF ratio increased, the DMI, ADG, G:F and NE of diet increased linearly. Irrespective of the S:ADF ratio, U diets did not modify neither the observed-to-expected NE ratio nor the apparent retention per unit DMI, while U combination increased by 7.2% and 8.4%, respectively, the observed-to-expected dietary ratio and the apparent retention per unit DMI. U combination had no effect on carcass characteristics. As the S:ADF ratio increased, carcass weight and LM area were increased linearly. Combining feed grade U and SRU in diets with a 4.5 starch:fibre ratio resulted in positive effects on the efficiency of utilization of dietary energetics.
Cytogenetic Study of the Leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae) by Conventional Staining, G-banding and High-resolution Staining Technique

This is a cytogenetic study of the leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae). Blood samples were taken from 2 males and 1 female. After the standard whole blood lymphocyte culture in the presence of colchicine, the metaphase spreads were performed on microscopic slides and air-dried. Conventional staining, G-banding and high-resolution staining technique were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results showed that 2n (diploid) of leopard was 38, and the fundamental number (NF) was 72 in the male and female. There are 6 autosome types: A type had 4 large submetacentric and 2 medium submetacentric chromosomes, B type had 4 large acrocentric and 4 medium acrocentric chromosomes, C type had 2 large metacentric and 2 medium metacentric chromosomes, D type had 8 small submetacentric chromosomes, E type had 6 small metacentric chromosomes and F type had 4 small telocentric chromosomes. A pair of the short arm of chromosome E1 (chromosome pairs 14) showed a clearly observable satellite chromosomes. The X chromosome was small submetacentric chromosome and the Y chromosome was the smallest submetacentric chromosome. From the G-banding and high-resolution staining technique, the number of bands and locations in the leopard was 163 and 191 respectively, and each chromosome pair could be clearly differentiated. We found that chromosomes A1, B3, B4, C1, C2, D1, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, X and Y chromosome patterns were according to the domestic cat (Felis catus) chromosomes. Chromosomes A2, A3, B1, B2, D2 and D4 are similar to those of the domestic cat. These results show the evolutionary relationship between the leopard and domestic cat. The karyotype formula for the male and female leopard is as follows: 2n(38) = L2m + L4sm + L4a + M2m + M2sm + M4a + S6m + S8sm + S4t + sex chromosomes.
Cell Wall Texture Along The Growth Gradient OF The Mung Bean Hypocotyl: Ordered Assembly and Dissipative Processes

A step-by-step analysis of wall characteristics was performed along a defined growth gradient in order to follow the dynamics of changes in wall organization according to the state of elongation of the cell. Specimens were taken from the elongating zone of 3-day-old mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) hypocotyls grown in constant culture conditions. A technical procedure was developed in order to perform a complete series of observations along the growth gradient of individual hypocotyls and at the same time to locate the levels in relation with the growth state. Weight and thickness measurements were performed in parallel with observations of changes in wall texture using ultrastructural cytochemistry (periodic acid/thiocarbohydrazide/silver proteinate test for polysaccharides associated with dimethylsulphoxide and methylamine extractions). Ultrastructural observations were made on cortical cells, mainly on epidermal cells. For a cell that runs through the complete growth process the preliminary phase is a massive elaboration of wall subunits. The wall thus built is highly ordered (twisted plywood). Both thickness and order are maximal when the cell reaches the exponential phase of extension. An unstable balance exists between ordered assembly (with new layer deposition) at the inner wall, and dispersion of subunits (resulting from extension) at the outer wall. Growth takes place at the expense of thickness and the pre-established order. The balance is rapidly shifted and the dispersion of the subunits progressively predominates. Wall construction being no longer continued, elongation slows down and stops. The wall acts as a dissipative structure changing from order to a subsequent irreversible disorder. In terms of growth capacity, the more ordered the wall is, the more extendible is the cell. The cessation of growth occurs when order has been completely lost. The results indicate that apparently conflicting concepts proposed in the literature, for the organization of the wall during cell elongation, are not mutually exclusive in the tissues studied.
No-Till Corn after Bromegrass: Effect on Soil Carbon and Soil Aggregates

Grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in the USA may be converted to grain crops for bioenergy. The effect of no-till conversion of a smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) grassland to no-till corn (Zea mays L.) production on soil organic carbon (SOC) in the western Corn Belt was monitored for over 6 yr. A different 13 C/ 12 C isotope signature is imparted to SOC by C4 plants including corn versus C3 plants such as bromegrass. Changes in C isotope ratios in SOC in three soil depths (0- to 5-, 5-10, and 10-30 cm) by particle size was also monitored during ∼6.5 yr of no-till corn production at two different N levels (60 and 120 kg ha -1 ). Soil was collected eight times during the study from the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm depths, and at four of these times from the 10- to 30-cm depth from each of the N rate replicates. Because fertilizer N had no significant effect over years on any of the aboveground biomass production variables, the data from both N treatments was combined for regression analysis to determine the effects of years of no-till corn production on SOC variables. Total SOC did not change significantly at any depth during the study, but there was a significant change in the source of the SOC. Total C4-C increased over this time, while C3-C decreased in the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm depth, while neither changed in the 10- to 30-cm depth. In the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm depths, largest loss of C3-C was from 2-mm aggregates, while largest increases in C4-C were in the 1-, 0.5-, 0.25-, and 0.125-mm aggregates. If CRP grasslands are converted to grain crop production, the data from this study strongly support the use of no-till farming practices as a method of conserving the SOC that was sequestered during the time period that the land was in the CRP.
A provenance study of Jordanian basalt vessels of the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age I Periods

Les proprietes chimiques et petrographiques de preparations derivees de seize recipients en basalte datant du Chalcolithique au Bronze Ancien I ont ete etudiees lors de leur observation au microscope et a la fluorescence X. Le but etait de comparer ces resultats avec ceux obtenus lors d'analyse de morceaux de basalte de sources diverses afin de savoir si la confection de ces memes recipients etait purement locale, ou, au contraire, le fait d'un centre unique de production. Il a ete demontre que des recipients decouverts a Sal en Jordanie au Nord ont ete fabriques a partir de basalte se trouvant aux abords immediats du site; cependant des vases de trois gisements archeologiques a l'est et au sud de la mer Morte ont ete fabriques a partir de basalte provenant de la region de Kerak. Les possibilites d'interpretation de ces donnees pour la recherche sur les recipients de basalte palestiniens ont ete analysees.
Induction of systemic resistance of cucumber to Colletotrichum orbiculare by select strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Ninety-four strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were screened for induction of systemic resistance using a model system of cucumber and anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare. Compared with a nonbacterized, challenged control, treatment of cucumber seeds with six PGPR strains resulted in a significant reduction in lesion size after challenge-inoculation with C. orbiculare. Four of the six PGPR strains that induced resistance in cucumber produced HCN in vitro (.)
Synthesized ectomycorrhizae of aspen: fungal genus level of structural characterization

The ability of Populus tremuloides Michx. to form ectomycorrhizae with identified species of fungi was investigated using a pouch technique. Twenty-nine out of 54 fungus species formed ectomycorrhizae on aspen seedlings. Aspen seems to display little specificity for ectomycorrhizal fungi. Only epidermal Hartig nets were observed in the synthesized ectomycorrhizae and periepidermal ones were frequently encountered. Structural and morphological characteristics of ectomycorrhizae are presented by genus of mycorrhizal fungi. This grouping of characters by genus seems possible independently of the host plant. The classification of ectomycorrhizae is viewed in a new way in which structural types would be taxonomically related to the genus of the fungal symbiont.
Late Cenozoic climate and the phylogenetic structure of regional conifer floras worldwide

Aim Using conifers as a model system, we aim to test four hypotheses. H1: the processes that shape the phylogenetic structure of regional species assemblages depend on climate. H2: apparent effects of current climate can be equally well explained by past climate. H3: strong Quaternary climate oscillations have led to phylogenetically non-random assemblages, either with few closely related species because isolated populations do not persist long enough to become new species or with many close relatives due to increased allopatric speciation. H4: strong late Cenozoic aridification has led to assemblages with many close relatives due to extinction and adaptive radiation. Location Global. Methods We used boosted regression trees to relate the net relatedness index (NRI) of regional conifer assemblages to current climate, past climate (0.021, 3 and 7.3-11.6 Ma), and gradual and cyclic late Cenozoic climate change while simultaneously accounting for habitat and biogeographic covariates. Results Climate was the most important predictor of NRI, supporting H1. Current and past climate showed similar relationships with NRI, supporting H2. Conifer NRI was further related to Quaternary climate oscillations and gradual late Cenozoic climate trends, but the shape of the relationships supported neither H3 nor H4. Main conclusions The climate-NRI relationships suggest that late Cenozoic climate consistently influenced the dynamics of conifer speciation, extinction and dispersal, leading to global patterns of phylogenetic assemblage structure. We deduce from the phylogenetic structure that diversification has been highest in warm or dry climates over the last ≥11.6 Myr. The fact that phylogenetic structure is related to climate trends and oscillations indicates that climate change plays an important role in addition to climate per se, but the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our results suggest that past climate needs to be taken into account when aiming to explain the phylogenetic structure of regional assemblages and other related aspects of biodiversity.
Comparison of Horizontal Acoustic and Purse‐Seine Estimates of Salmonid Densities and Sizes in Eleven Wyoming Waters

Abstract Evaluations of stocking programs for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and cutthroat trout O. clarki in reservoirs and lakes of the western United States are typically made by estimating angler catch rates and total catch of stocked trout. Because these estimates are derived through expensive creel surveys, evaluations are infrequent. Trout management could be improved if a rapid, reliable technique to assess population levels was developed. The objective of this research was to determine if horizontal acoustic estimates of salmonid densities and mean lengths were correlated with data collected simultaneously with a 9.1-m-deep purse seine. During daylight hours of summer (June–September) trout were found in offshore surface waters and typically accounted for greater than 90% of the fish captured there. Salmonids seldom accounted for more than 10% of nearshore trap-net catches. This spatial segregation of salmonids offshore and nonsalmonids nearshore simplified interpretation of acoustic data. Sid.
Long‐term ecosystem level experiments at Toolik Lake, Alaska, and at Abisko, Northern Sweden: generalizations and differences in ecosystem and plant type responses to global change

Long‐term ecosystem‐level experiments, in which the environment is manipulated in a controlled manner, are important tools to predict the responses of ecosystem functioning and composition to future global change. We present the results of a meta‐analysis performed on the results of long‐term ecosystem‐level experiments near Toolik Lake, Alaska, and Abisko, Sweden. We quantified aboveground biomass responses of different arctic and subarctic ecosystems to experimental fertilization, warming and shading. We not only analysed the general patterns but also the differences in responsiveness between sites and regions. Aboveground plant biomass showed a broad similarity of responses in both locations, and also showed some important differences. In both locations, aboveground plant biomass, particularly the biomass of deciduous and graminoid plants, responded most strongly to nutrient addition. The biomass of mosses and lichens decreased in both locations as the biomass of vascular plants increased. An important difference between the two regions was the smaller positive aboveground biomass response of deciduous shrubs in Abisko as compared with Toolik Lake. Whereas in Toolik Lake Betula nana increased its dominance and replaced many of the other plant types, in Abisko all vascular plant types increased in abundance without major shifts in relative abundance. The differences between the responses of the dominant vegetation types of the Toolik Lake region, i.e. tussock tundra systems, and that of the Abisko region, i.e. heath systems, may have important implications for ecosystem development under expected patterns of global change. However, there were also large site‐specific differences within each region. Several potential mechanistic explanations for the differences between sites and regions are discussed. The response patterns show the need for analyses of joint data sets from many regions and sites, in order to uncover common responses to changes in climate across large arctic regions from regional or local responses.
Ultrastructural Studies on Some Mastogloia (Bacillariophyceae) Species Belonging to the Group Ellipticae

Six species of marine epiphytic diatoms belonging to Hustedfs Ellipticae group of the genus Mastogloia were studied using transmitted light and scanning electron microscopy. Internal and external structure of valves and entire frustules is described for Λ/. binotata, M. cribrosa, M. crucicula, M. fimbriata, M. ovalis and M. splendida. Mastogloia crucicula was found to have puncta, while the other five species have areolae. Four different types of vela are described. Two types of loculi on the specialized intercalary band are shown as well as locular pores and puncta. Four of the six species possess intercalary pores.
The influence of climate on pool inception in boreal fens

Fens are one of the two most important peatland types of the boreal biome. The fen surface is often made of contrasted microenvironments, pools and strings, distributed in a geometric arrangement known as patterned fen. The fens are under the influence of varying water regimes causing the formation of pools, a process that we named aqualysis. The term refers to the physical degradation of the vegetation cover under the influence of water ponding. It is proposed here that pool inception is among a set of differential responses of peatland ecosystems to changes in hydrology caused by climate. In this study, we have evaluated the influence of climate on pool inception using the spatiotemporal distribution of trees found dead in pools of four boreal fens of northwestern Quebec. Tree-ring dating of tree mortality allowed the determination of the most recent and synchronized periods of pool formation in the studied fens. Most trees died over the last centuries, particularly after 1750 AD. The demographic patter.
Influence of temperature and salinity on the germination of Lotus creticus (L.) from the arid land of Tunisia

Effects of salinity, temperature and their interactions on the rate and final percentage of germination were evaluated for two populations (Msarref, Oued dkouk) of the invasive glycophyte Lotus creticus Linne, grown under arid environmental conditions of the Tunisia. Seeds that were not treated with NaCl germinated well in a wide range of temperatures. For both populations, maximum germination occurred in distilled water at 25°C and lowest germination for all salinities was at 35°C. Germination was substantially delayed and significantly reduced with an increase in NaCl to levels above 300 m m. Compared to the Oued dkouk population, final germination and germination rate of the Msarref population was completely inhibited at 300 m m NaCl. The interactive effect of temperature and NaCl concentration on final germination and germination rate was significant (P < 0.01), indicating that the germination response to salinity depended on temperature. The inhibition of Oued dkouk population seed germination at high salt concentration was mostly due to osmotic effects while ionic effects were noted at Msarref population. The germination behaviour of the Oued dkouk population would therefore imply adaptive mechanisms to saline environments, while in the Msarref population such mechanisms seem to be absent. Since seed germination is more sensitive to salinity stress than the growth of established plants, the greater tolerance to salinity of Oued dkouk population would be an adaptive feature of this population to saline environment.
Winter host exploitation influences fitness traits in a parasitoid

Organisms can either evade winter's unfavourable conditions by migrating or diapausing, or endure them and maintain their activities. When it comes to foraging during winter, a period of scarce resources, there is strong selective pressure on resource exploitation strategy. Generalist parasitoids are particularly affected by this environmental constraint, as their fitness is deeply linked to the profitability of the available hosts. In this study, we considered a cereal aphid–parasitoid system and investigated (1) the host–parasitoid community structure, host availability, and parasitism rate in winter, (2) the influence of host quality in terms of species and instars on the fitness of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius rhopalosiphi De Stefani‐Perez (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), and (3) whether there is a detectable impact of host fidelity on parasitism success of this parasitoid species. Host density was low during winter and the aphid community consisted of the species Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Sitobion avenae Fabricius (both Hemiptera: Aphididae), both parasitized by A. rhopalosiphi at non‐negligible rates. Aphidius rhopalosiphi produced more offspring when parasitizing R. padi compared with S. avenae, whereas bigger offspring were produced when parasitizing S. avenae. Although aphid adults and old larvae were significantly larger hosts than young larvae, the latter resulted in higher emergence rates and larger parasitoids. No impact of host fidelity on emergence rates or offspring size was detected. This study provides some evidence that winter A. rhopalosiphi populations are able to take advantage of an array of host types that vary in profitability, indicating that host selectivity may drop under winter's unfavourable conditions.
The ecology of Sargassum pteropleuron Grunow (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) in the waters off South Florida

Abstract A comparison is made of the effects of seasonal temperature change upon the metabolism of Sargassum pteropleuron Grunow and the growth of S. polyceratium Montagne, species forming geographically adjacent populations off the Atlantic coast of South Florida. Apparent net photosynthetic and dark respiratory rates of S. pteropleuron did not vary significantly during the periods of high water temperature from mid summer to autumn. A significant decline in net photosynthetic rates coincided with senescence of the annual axes and the declining water temperatures of winter. The seasonal pattern of metabolism was similar to that reported for growth of S. pteropleuron. By contrast, growth of S. poiyceratium was maximal from the mid fall to mid winter. Senescence of the annual axes reduced the plants to perennial holdfasts by midsummer. This dissimilar response of two species of Sargassum forming geographically adjacent populations to seasonal environmental fluctuations is discussed in relation to the pheno.
Gas Exchange and Growth of Two Transplanted, Field-grown Tree Species in an Arid Climate

Gas exchange and growth of transplanted and nontransplanted, field-grown Norway maple (Acer platanoides L. Schwedleri') and littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata Mill. 'Greenspire') trees were investigated in an arid climate. In the spring of 1995, three trees of each species were moved with a tree spade to a new location within a field nursery and three nontransplanted trees were selected as controls. Predawn leaf water potential, morning-to-evening stomatal conductance and leaf temperature, leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference, midday stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate, and growth data were collected over a 2-year period. After transplanting, weekly predawn leaf water potential indicated that transplanted trees were under greater water stress than were nontransplanted (control) trees. However, predawn leaf water potential of maple trees recovered to control levels 18 weeks after transplanting, while that of transplanted linden trees remained more negative than that of controls. In 1995, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates were lower throughout the day for transplanted trees. In 1996, gas exchange rates of transplanted maple trees recovered to near control levels while rates for transplanted linden trees did not. Sensitivity of stomata to leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference varied with species and with transplant treatment. Each year transplanted trees of both species had less apical growth than did control trees. Although gas exchange and apical growth of transplanted trees was reduced following transplanting, recovery of gas exchange to control rates differed with species.