Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AFLP-RGA Markers in Comparison with RGA and AFLP in Cultivated Tetraploid Cotton

Disease resistance (R) genes have been isolated from many plant species and R genes with domains of nucleotide binding sites (NBS) and leucine-rich repeats (LRR) represent the largest R gene family. The objective of this investigation was to test a resistance gene analog (RGA) anchored marker system, called amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-RGA in cotton (Gossypium spp.). The AFLP-RGA analysis uses one degenerate RGA primer designed from various NBS and LRR domains of R genes in combination with one selective AFLP primer in a PCR reaction. Out of a total of 446 AFLP-RGA bands amplified by 22 AFLP-RGA primer combinations, 76 (17.0%) and 37 (8.3%) were polymorphic within four G. hirsutum L. genotypes and four G. barbadense L. cotton genotypes, respectively. The number of polymorphic AFLP-RGA bands (256) between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense was much higher (57.4%). This level of polymorphism mirrors that of AFLP. The genetic similarity among the eight genotypes based on AFLP-RGA or AFLP lead to similar results in genotype grouping at the species and intraspecies level. However, RGA markers amplified by only degenerate RGA primers could not discriminate several genotypes. AFLP-RGA offers a great flexibility for numerous primer combinations in a genome-wide search for RGAs. Due to the distribution of RGAs or RGA clusters in the plant genome, genome-wide AFLP-RGA analysis provides a useful resource for candidate gene mapping of R genes for disease resistance in cotton.
Pod production of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. as affected by supplementary and honeybee pollination under arid conditions

Abstract An experiment was conducted to examine the importance of honeybees and flowering dates for pollination and pod characteristics of Prosopis juliflora grown under semiarid conditions. Flowers of Prosopis were subjected to two pollination treatments: 1) open pollination and 2) supplementary pollination at different flowering dates from September to January. Number of racemes per node, number of flowers per raceme, pod per raceme, pod length and weight, seed number per pod, 100-seed weight, and total seed yield per node were measured. Prosopis trees produced an average of 6 racemes per node. Supplementary pollinated flowers had higher pod number/raceme but lower pod length and weight in comparison with open pollinated at all flowering dates except for January. Pollination treatment did not influence seed number or characteristics. These data suggest that although supplementary pollination increased pod set per raceme, bee pollination gave the same pollination efficiency and better pod quality.
Infestation by cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) causes a long lasting induction of the myrosinase system

Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is specialised on cruciferous plants and constitutes a world‐wide problem with a substantial negative impact on agriculture and horticulture. The myrosinase‐glucosinolate system present in crucifers is believed to serve as an important barrier to general herbivores, whereas specialist insects rely on this system for host recognition. Two proteins with unknown function, myrosinase binding protein (MBP) and myrosinase associated protein (MyAP), are also present in such plants and bind to specific myrosinases. In order to study regulation and overall effects on the myrosinase system, one leaf of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) (Brassicaceae) plants at the two‐leaf stage was exposed to cabbage aphids for 1 h. After removal of the insects, infested and non‐infested leaves were analysed by Northern blot analysis for the presence of MBP, MyAP, and myrosinase transcripts at different time points up to 48 h. MBP transcript levels continued to rise during the whole experiment, and were seven‐ to eight‐fold higher compared with control plants 48 h after removal of the aphids. At 24 h the MyAP transcripts reached maximal levels and were four‐fold higher than the control levels. Myrosinase transcripts were down regulated by aphid infestation and the level was less than half that of the control plants at 48 h. Apparently cabbage aphid infestation causes both transient and more long lasting (up to 48 h) effects on the myrosinase system of the host.
Targeted vertebrate surveys enhance the faunal importance and improve explanatory models within the Eastern Arc Mountains of Kenya and Tanzania

Detailed knowledge of species distributions, endemism patterns and threats is critical to site prioritization and conservation planning. However, data from biodiversity inventories are still limited, especially for tropical forests, and even well recognized hotspots remain understudied. We provide an example of how updated knowledge on species occurrence from strategically directed biodiversity surveys can change knowledge on perceived biodiversity importance, and facilitate understanding diversity patterns and the delivery of conservation recommendations.
Phylogeny of hornets: a total evidence approach (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Vespinae, Vespa)

The only previous comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the 22 species of the genus Vespa was based on just 11 morphological characters and resulted in only limited resolution. In order to improve the phylogenetic inference, we carried out a simultaneous analysis with 45 morphological characters and data from four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes. The results support a number of the previously found relationships. The monophyly of the genus Vespa and the existence of a main clade excluding V. basalis and V. binghami are confirmed. The tropica group is supported. The affinis group is not supported; molecular data relate the previously unresolved V. orientalis to V. affinis + V. mocsaryana.
Response of Underseeded Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) to Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Herbicides as Affected by Application Timing

Underseeding red clover in winter wheat is a beneficial agronomic practice. Still, many growers tend to forgo this approach. One reason is that herbicides used on winter wheat may injure underseeded red clover, reducing its biomass and the subsequent benefits it provides. Therefore, the effect of winter wheat herbicides on underseeded red clover needs to be evaluated. The objectives of this research were to assess the crop tolerance of underseeded red clover to ten winter wheat herbicides used in Ontario, Canada and determine if red clover tolerance differed when the herbicides were applied at various winter wheat growth stages. Experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 at four different Ontario locations. Each herbicide treatment was either applied at an early, normal or late timing. Overall, red clover was not affected by herbicides applied at the early timing. The likelihood of herbicides causing injury and reducing biomass of underseeded red clover increased when they were applied at the more advanced winter wheat growth stages. If timing is a constraint, the three herbicides bromoxynil/MCPA, tralkoxydim, and fenoxaprop-pethyl are the safest to use on red clover underseeded to winter wheat. The remaining herbicides 2,4-D, dicamba/MCPA/mecoprop, dichlorprop/2,4-D, thifensulfuron/ tribenuron + MCPA, fluroxypyr + MCPA, pyrasulfotole/bromoxynil, and prosulfuron + bromoxynil are more injurious, with the last two being the most harmful. By having identified the least damaging herbicides on underseeded red clover in winter wheat and the optimal timing for herbicide application, growers are more likely to adopt this beneficial agronomic practice, save on fertilizer costs and improve soil quality.
Caracterização fenotípica e molecular de genitores de feijão tipo carioca quanto à resistência a patógenos

Abstract€–€The present study aimed at the phenotypic and molecular characterization of 31€genotypes of thecarioca-type common bean regarding the resistance to anthracnose, rust and angular leaf spot (ALS) pathogens.Thirteen pathotypes of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum , two of Uromyces appendiculatus and seven of Pseudocercospora griseola were inoculated. In the molecular characterization, five molecular markers, identifiedin advance, and linked to the different alleles of pathogens’ resistance, were used. Seven genotypes showedresistance to 12€pathotypes of C. €lindemuthianum . Nine genotypes presented resistance to five pathotypes of P.€griseola . Ten genotypes were resistant to the pathotypes of U. €appendiculatus . The lines VC€2, VC€3 andVC€5, besides Ruda-R (line pyramided with five genes which confer resistance to some pathotypes of anthracnose,rust and ALS), were the stood out for multiple resistance to the pathogens above described. Molecularpolymorphism was detected between the most genotypes with Ruda-R, which indicates the possibility of usingthe molecular markers SCARF10, SCAR Y20, SCARAZ20, SCARH13 and OPX1 1 . Index terms:
Confirmation of the infectivity of a free-living actinomycete isolated from Comptonia peregrina root nodules by immunological and ultrastructural studies

The inoculation of the host plant Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult. (Myrica asplenifolia L.) by a pure culture of a free-living actinomycete, isolated from Comptonia root nodules by Callaham et al. (1978, Science, 199: 899–902), was successful. Short-term and long-term nodulation tests confirmed the infectivity of the Comptonia isolate. Acetylene reduction assays of the nodules induced by this prokaryote isolate demonstrated nitrogen fixation activity. This nitrogen fixation activity was able to sustain a prolific growth of the nodulated host plants growing in a N-free substrate. Indirect immufluorescence reactions, using specific gamma globulin against the actinomycetal isolate of the Comptonia root nodule, demonstrated the identity of this actinomycete in these in vitro produced Comptonia root nodules. Ultrastructure of the Comptonia isolate, developing as a free-living or endophytic actinomycete, was observed by light microscopy, freeze etching, and transmission electron microscopy. The free-living filam.
Changes in glutamine metabolism indicate a mild catabolic state in the transition mare

Glutamine is the most abundant free alpha-AA in the mammalian body, and large amounts of glutamine are extracted by both the fetus during pregnancy and the mammary gland during lactation. The work presented here addressed the hypothesis that there would be major changes in glutamine metabolism in the mare during the transition period, the time between late gestation, parturition, and early lactation. Eight foals were born to Standardbred mares provided with energy and protein at 10% above NRC recommendations, and foals remained with mares for 6 mo. During lactation, lean body mass decreased by 1.5% (P < 0.05), whereas fat mass was unchanged throughout gestation and lactation. There was a sharp increase in the concentration of most plasma metabolites and hormones after birth, which was due in part to hemoconcentration because of fluid shifts at parturition. Plasma glutamine concentration, however, was maintained at greater concentrations for up to 2 wk postpartum but then began to decrease, reaching a nadir at approximately 6 wk of lactation. Skeletal muscle glutamine content did not change, but glutamine synthetase expression was decreased at the end of lactation (P < 0.05). Free glutamine was highly abundant in milk early in lactation, but the concentration decreased by more than 50% after 3 mo of lactation and paralleled the decrease in plasma glutamine concentration. Thus, lactation represents a mild catabolic state for the mare in which decreased glutamine concentrations may compromise the availability of glutamine to other tissues such as the intestines and the immune system.
Control of the proteolytic reaction and of the level of bitterness in protein hydrolysis processes

A generally acknowledged problem encountered in the use of enzymic hydrolysis for modification of food proteins is the formation of bitter taste. The bitter taste can be ascribed to hydrophobic peptides and results from the degradation of the protein substrate. The control of the level of bitterness is therefore to a large extent dependent on the control of the proteolytic reaction itself. Two methods for monitoring the proteolytic reaction are described: the pH-stat technique and osmometry. Both methods give a quantitative expression for the degree of hydrolysis (DH) which is the percentage of peptide bonds cleaved. A low bitterness can usually be ascertained by restricting DH to low values (e.g. DH 3–5%). However, in certain protein hydrolysis processes which involve separation of the insoluble material, the reaction is continued to higher DH-values. A reduced bitterness can then be obtained by iso-electric precipitation of bitter peptides.
A dynamic mass‐balance model for marine protected areas

A modified Ecosim model was used to investigate the impact of establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in ecosystems defined by existing Ecopath models. The impact of MPAs of various sizes was simulated, and changes in biomass and catch over a range of years observed. The response of biomass and catch to MPA size depended on the time period examined. For some ecosystem groups, the initial response was negative, but for all groups there were increases after 10 years. The greater the biomass exchange rate across the MPA boundary, the larger the MPA required to increase biomass levels. Within the range of exchange rates simulated, the maximum increases in catch and overall biomass levels were reached when 20% of the system was protected.
Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Low Non Phytate Phosphorus Diets Supplemented with Microbial Phytase

An experiment was conducted with 270 broiler chicks to examine the effect of microbial phytase supplementation to low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diets on growth performance, bone mineralisation and nutrients retention during 1 to 21 days of age. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 0.30, 0.35, 0.40 and 0.45% NPP with the two lowest NPP levels (0.30 and 0.35%) supplemented with microbial phytase (500FTU per kg diet). Each diet was offered ad libitum to 9 replicates of 5 chicks each throughout the experimental period. The performance in terms of body weight gain, feed intake and feed/gain was significantly depressed in chicks fed lowest level of NPP (0.30%). Supplementation of phytase to either 0.30 or 0.35% NPP diet significantly improved body weight gain and feed conversion, which was comparable with 0.40% NPP diet. The leg abnormality increased and, tibia ash and tibia breaking strength decreased significantly in diets containing 0.30 and 0.35% NPP. Increasing NPP level to 0.40% or supplementing 500FTU phytase/kg diet to 0.30 and 0.35% NPP diets alleviated leg abnormality and enhanced tibia breaking strength and ash content. Serum Ca concentration was not influenced, but serum concentration of P and protein increased significantly either by enhancing NPP content to 0.40% or supplementing microbial phytase to 0.30 and 0.35% NPP diet. The nitrogen retention was significantly higher in 0.40% NPP diet compared with lower levels (0.30 or 0.35% NPP). Supplementation of microbial phytase to low NPP diet (0.30 and 0.35%) significantly increased nitrogen retention. The excretion of nitrogen decreased significantly in phytase-supplemented group compared with that of either 0.40 or 0.45% NPP diet. It is concluded that microbial phytase supplementation (500FTU/kg diet) to low NPP (0.30%) maize-soybean meal based poultry diets enhanced performance, increased retention nutrients (N, Ca and P) and improved bone mineralisation.
Performance and Meat Quality of Broilers Infected with Escherichia coli and Administered with Bio Additive, Probiotic, and Antibiotic

An experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy of bio additive administration (a mixture of Lumbricus rubellus extract, Morinda citrifolia leaves extract and lactic acid bacteria), probiotic, and antibiotic to the performance and meat quality of broiler infected with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). In this study, 140 Jumbo 747 unsexed one-day old chicks were distributed randomly into 20 units of cages, each filled with 7 broilers. Twenty cages were assigned into 5 treatment groups, each treatment in 4 equal replicates. The treatments were as follows: A= E. coli infection (positive control), B= E. coli infection + bio additive, C= E. coli infection + probiotic, D= E. coli infection + antibiotic, E= No E. coli infection (negative control). A commercial corn-soybean-based broiler diet was formulated as the basal diets. The experimental period was 35 d and at 21 st d of age the broilers were infected with E. coli except the E treatment. The result showed that bio additive administration (B) increased the final body weight (1,659.52 g) and body weight gain (1,616.81 g) and resulted in less FCR (1.87) among other treatments. The lowest mortality rate was recorded in B treatment (3.57%) and D treatment (3.57%). Probiotic (C treatment) and antibiotic (D treatment) decreased (P < 0.05) meat pH and tenderness compared to other treatments. Meanwhile bio additive administration did not affect the meat quality (pH, cooking loss, water-holding capacity, tenderness, and fat) compared to positive and negative controls. The lowest meat cholesterol content was observed in B treatment (54.02 mg/100 g). It is concluded that bio additive administration on broiler infected with E. coli increased the broiler performance and decreased the meat cholesterol compared to other treatments.
Two new Myxobolus spp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) from white bream, Blicca bjoerkna (Linnaeus, 1758) developing in basifilamental location of gills

Two new Myxobolus species, M. bjoerknae sp. n. and M. lamellobasis sp. n. have been described from the gills of white bream, Blicca bjoerkna. Plasmodia of M. bjoerknae sp. n. developed in the connective tissue inside the cartilaginous gill arch, while plasmodia of M. lamellobasis sp. n. seem to start their development in the multilayered epithelium between two lamellae close to the base of gill filaments. Then they may bulge out of the interlamellar space fused to a large bulk locating at the base of filaments. The large, ellipsoidal spores of M. bjoerknae sp. n. 17.4 × 13.1 µm in size, resembled the spores of other species developing in the gill arch (e.g. M. fundamentalis, M. gayerae, and M. pfeifferi), but differed from them in its 18S rDNA sequence. Roundish spores of M. lamellobasis sp. n. with a size of 11.1 × 8.6 µm resembled the spores of M. impressus developing interlamellarly and the spores of M. rotundus, M. parviformis, and M. muellericus having intralamellar localization. However, the detected genetic difference clearly distinguished it from the other species developing in similar tissue location. The phylogenetic location of the two newly described species seems to correlate both with spore shape and fish host species.
Reproductive condition and activity pattern of male Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) in the summer habitat

Summary We studied temporal variation in epididymal filling (a measure of reproductive condition) and activity pattern of male Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) in a summer habitat near Staufenberg (Hesse, Germany). Epididymal filling in adult males declined from April to early July. Thereafter epididymal filling sharply increased and the highest median value was reached in the second half of September, i. e. , prior to the occupation of the hibernaculum. Highest median epididymal filling in juveniles occurred in the first half of September. During August, September and October epididymal filling of adult males was significantly higher than that of juveniles. In late summer (August/September) relatively heavy adult males stayed significantly longer in their day roosts and spent significantly less time foraging than in early summer (June/July). The findings suggest that a large proportion of matings in M.daubentonii occurs already in the day roosts within the summer habitat.
reproduction of captive raja spp. in the dolfinarium harderwijk

five raja species are displayed in the ‘ray reef’ at dolfinarium harderwijk and, from 1993–2001, 41,772 eggs were laid, of which 39% contained a yolk sac and 3% hatched successfully. different egg-laying periods were distinguished between species. no annual differences in the egg-laying period were observed for raja microocellata, while hatching periods, and thus incubation periods (4.8–7.0 months), differed significantly. no correlation between seawater temperature and incubation time was found.
Depth distribution and biomass of submersed aquatic macrophyte communities in relation to Secchi depth

Using original data from eight lakes in southern Quebec and literature values from other fakes throughout the world, regression models were developed that allow prediction of the maximum depth of macrophyte colonization (zc) for angiosperms ((zc)0.5 = 1.33 log (D) + 1.40), bryophytes (zc)−0.5 = −0.48 log (D) + 0.81), and charophytes (log (zc) = 0.87 log (D) + 0.31) and the depth of maximum angiosperm biomass (zb)(zb0.5 = 0.54 log (D) + 1.15) from mean summer Secchi depth (D). Irradiance over the growing season at the maximum depth of colonization was about 1800 J/cm2 (1 cal/cm2 = 0.239 J/cm2) for angiosperms and bryophytes and 1200 J/cm2 for charophytes. These values represent, on average, 21 and 11% of the photo-synthetically available radiation incident on the water surface. Changes in maximum angiosperm biomass were, however, not correlated with Secchi depth. This suggests that while the depth distribution of aquatic macrophyte communities is primarily controlled by irradiance, environmental parameters.
Between-population differences in nestling size and hematocrit level in blue tits (Parus caeruleus): a cross-fostering test for genetic and environmental effects

Geographically separated populations may diverge genetically in response to differing environmental conditions. Two populations of blue tits (Parus caeruleus L., 1758) that inhabit distinct valleys in northern Corsica are exposed to extreme differences in food abundance and parasite loads and show differences in nestling mass and hematocrit levels at fledging. We used partial cross-fostering coupled with experimental manipulation of parasite loads to test the hypothesis that between-population differences in nestling mass and hematocrit reflect adaptive genetic responses to differing parasite prevalence. Although asymptotic mass and hematocrit were strongly affected by variation in parasite loads and caterpillar abundance, we did not detect any significant genetic (population of origin) effect or genotype–environment interaction. We conclude that in these populations of blue tits, asymptotic mass and hematocrit are phenotypically plastic traits that are primarily set by environmental conditions during the.