Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat shock response in olive (Olea europaea L.) twigs: Identification and analysis of a cDNA coding a class I small heat shock protein

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate at the molecular level the heat shock response in olive by identifying sequences coding for heat shock proteins (HSPs). Young twigs of Olea europaea trees (cv Cellina di Nardò) were subjected to different temperature treatments in order to induce the expression of heat shock genes. In order to identify genes induced by heat treatment, we used a PCR-based approach to amplify specific HS cDNAs. Search for low molecular weight HSP sequences was performed in public domain databases in order to design specific primers based upon multisequence alignments. By this approach, we isolated the first full length cDNA encoding a low-molecular weight HSP from O. europaea. This is a class I low molecular weight HSP of 18.3 kDa, which is highly expressed in young twigs subjected to heat stress.
Effect of lucerne preservation method on the feed value of forage

BACKGROUND: Natural climatic wilt (NCW) and induced industrial wilt (IIW) are widely used as preservation methods for lucerne. Both of these methods reduce the quality of green forage due to respiration under NCW and heat damage under IIW. We compared the influence of these two preservation methods on nutritive value across a wide range of harvest conditions. RESULTS: Cell wall content and cell wall-linked nitrogen values were higher (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Natural climatic wilt forage hay presents similar feed value to the induced industrial wilt alfalfa. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Mineral profile of brazilian cachaças and other international spirits

Using atomic absorption and flame emission spectroscopies, the presence at the ppb level of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg metal ions were investigated in 74 Brazilian caninhas and in 26 imported alcoholic beverages. Except for the analysis of the Al, Hg, Pb and Cd ions, for which the samples were pre-concentrated, these metal ions were measured by direct aspiration of the sample into the burner of the instrument without previous treatment. Attempts to correlate caninha's metal ions abundance with their geographic origin have been unsuccessful. The caninhas and the international beverages studied here exhibit similar cationic profile. As judged from the RDA values for the analyzed cations, 100 ml daily ingestion of caninha does not produce any bad nutritional impact.
Observations on the morphs of Macrosiphum avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum on cereals during the summer and autumn

SUMMARY From June to early August 1970, populations of Macrosiphum avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum on marked tillers of field barley were compared with the numbers of alatae trapped at crop height and at 12.2 m. There were always more M. dirhodum than M. avenae on the tillers. Only apterae were produced until mid-June when both alatae and apterae occurred; after mid-July only alate M. avenae were found. Until mid-June most of the flying alatae were caught at 12.2 m as they migrated from spring hosts to cereals. Thereafter, more alate M. avenae were trapped at 12.2 m than at crop level, whereas numbers of alate M. dirhodum were usually comparable at both heights. Although crop and flying populations occasionally showed temporal similarities, insufficient is known about their field distribution and the factors affecting their alate production and flight activity to interpret this relationship. In the autumn, two consecutive reproductive phases of M. dirhodum occurred on winter wheat grown in pots outdoors. Initially, apterous virginoparae and alatae, probably sexuparae, were produced, whereas only alate males appeared during the second phase. In contrast, M. avenae deposited mainly apterous virginoparae although some oviparae developed in October to lay scattered, probably infertile eggs on the tillers.
The first known alvarezsaurid (Theropoda: Aves) from North America

The description of Mononykus olecranus from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia and its interpretation as a bird by Perle et al. (1993a, b; 1994) stirred much excitement and continuing controversy (summarized in Chiappe et al., 1996, 1997). Researchers have since described new Cretaceous specimens that are apparently close relatives of Mononykus (Novas, 1996, 1997; Chiappe et al., 1998) and reevaluated others in light of the data provided by Mononykus (Novas, 1996). Novas (1996, 1997) supported the close relationship of Mononykus to the Patagonian Patagonykus puertai (Novas, 1997) and Alvarezsaurus calvoi (Bonaparte, 1991), uniting them in the node-based taxon Alvarezsauridae. More recently, the Mongolian taxa Parvicursor remotus (Karhu and Rautian, 1996) and Shuvuuia deserti (based on some specimens previously referred to as Mononykus; see Chiappe et al., 1998) were placed along with Mononykus in Alvarezsauridae. These taxa were determined to be members of the less inclusive node-based clade called Mono-
Utilização da farinha de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) na elaboração de produtos de panificação

Este trabalho teve como objetivo enriquecer produtos de panificacao do tipo biscoito e rocambole com farinha de feijao-caupi (FFC), avaliar sua aceitabilidade e composicao quimica, incluindo o conteudo dos minerais (ferro, zinco, magnesio, potassio e fosforo) e das vitaminas (tiamina e piridoxina). Foram desenvolvidas tres formulacoes de biscoito contendo 10, 20 e 30% FFC e duas formulacoes de rocambole contendo 10 e 20% FFC. Observou-se um aumento no teor proteico do biscoito 30% FFC e do rocambole 20% FFC e na quantidade de cinzas dos biscoitos 20 e 30% FFC e rocambole 20% FFC, quando comparados as formulacoes padrao. O teor dos minerais analisados e de piridoxina aumentou a medida que FFC foi adicionada, enquanto a concentracao de tiamina aumentou somente no rocambole 20% FFC. O biscoito com 10% FFC apresentou maior aceitacao (84,4%), dentre os biscoitos formulados com FFC, alem disso, os rocamboles com 10 e 20% FFC tiveram boa aceitacao (86,7 e 77,8%, respectivamente). Todas as formulacoes contendo FFC tiveram notas superiores a 6, mostrando que os produtos foram aceitos sensorialmente. Desta forma, a adicao de FFC visando melhorar o valor nutritivo de formulacoes a base de cereais e viavel.
Pollen limitation, seed predation and scape length in Primula farinosa

Floral display and reward production may affect the attractiveness of a plant to a range of interacting animals including pollinators, herbivores, and vectors of pathogenic fungi. The optimal floral phenotype should therefore depend on the relative importance of selection exerted by both mutualistic and antagonistic animals. The perennial, rosette herb Primula farinosa is polymorphic for scape length. Natural populations may include both plants with flowers displayed well above the ground (the long-scaped morph) and those with flowers positioned very close to the ground (the short-scaped morph). In this study, we conducted a field experiment to examine how the relative fitness of the two scape morphs is affected by interactions with pollinators and fruit predators in two different microhabitats (high and low vegetation). As predicted based on the difference in floral display, supplemental hand-pollination showed that fruit initiation was more strongly pollen-limited in the short-scaped than in the long-scaped morph, and that this difference was significantly larger in high than in low vegetation. Moreover, plants with a short scape experienced lower levels of fruit predation than plants with a long scape. Among open-pollinated controls, there was no significant difference in seed output between the two scape morphs. However, among plants receiving supplemental hand-pollination, short-scaped plants produced significantly more seeds than long-scaped plants. The results suggest that the positive and negative effects of a prominent floral display (increased pollination and seed predation, respectively) balance in the study population, but also that the short-scaped morph would have an advantage at higher pollination intensities. Spatial and temporal variation in pollinator activity and seed predation should result in associated variation in the relative fecundity of the two scape morphs.
Coral reefs next to a major conurbation: a study of temporal change (1985−2011) in coral cover and composition in the reefs of Jakarta, Indonesia

Coral reefs are diverse, ecologically important and globally threatened ecosystems. Numerous studies have reported on the threats to coral reefs, which include both local perturba- tions, such as pollution and overfishing, and widespread phenomena, such as bleaching. Here, we report on the history of the Jakarta BayThousand Islands reef system from 1985 to 2011. Over this period, we recorded significant shifts in coral generic composition and an overall decline in coral cover with widely different trajectories between in-, mid- and offshore zones. In 1985, coral cover exhibited a clear on-to-offshore gradient with low coral cover inshore (10%), moderate cover mid- shore (49%) and high cover offshore (74%). The low coral cover inshore contrasts strongly with reports of high coral cover for inshore reefs in 1929. Inshore, coral cover declined from 10% in 1985 to <5% in 1995. The greatest change in coral cover and composition, however, occurred in offshore reefs, where mean cover declined from 74 to <20% between 1985 and 1995. Acropora species were particularly affected and declined from 36 to just 5% cover offshore. Recovery of coral cover occurred offshore between 1995 and 2005. From 2005 to 2011, however, a less severe loss in coral cover was observed. With the exception of inshore reefs, which appear to be on an ongoing trajectory of decline that started before the 1985 surveys, the reefs of the Jakarta BayThousand Islands system have shown a propensity to recover.
Effect of water column phosphorus reduction on competitive outcome and traits of Ludwigia grandiflora and L. peploides, invasive species in Europe

The invasion of alien macrophytes in aquatic ecosystems has caused serious ecological and economic impacts. Their introduction often leads to competition with natives and already established invasive species. Competition among invasive species is assumed to be greater than among native and invasive species, especially for plants with similar growth form and position in the water column. Many freshwater bodies are eutrophicated due to high phosphorus inputs, which have led to a competitive advantage for invasive macrophytes. A decrease in water column phosphorus load might lead to a change in competitive performance and reveal apparent variation in those traits promoting invasiveness. We investigated the effect of a water column phosphorus reduction on the growth, competitive outcome, traits and nutrient uptake of two related invasive Ludwigia species, L. grandiflora and L. peploides. We performed indoor competition experiments in eutrophic and mesotrophic conditions following a complete additive design. L. grandiflora always was the better competitor in both trophic conditions and had higher trait values compared to L. peploides. Both species relative growth rates (RGR) and trait values were affected by a P reduction, especially the number of branches and stem length. Although both species prefer higher water column phosphorus loadings, they can also colonize habitats of lower mesotrophic phosphorus concentrations. L. peploides was able to store more P in its tissue compared to L. grandiflora, thereby possibly outcompeting L. grandiflora in even lower P concentrations. Our results show a water column P reduction to lower branch numbers, stem length and biomass, which could reduce mat formation and allow for more effective control of both species.
Ringing studies of the turtle dove Streptopelia turtur (Aves: Columbidae during passage through Antikythera Island, southwestern Greece

The aim of this study is to describe the phenology of migration and biometrics of the turtle dove Streptopelia turtur in Greece, based on ringing studies on Antikythera Island. Spring passage takes place between early April and late May and autumn passage between early and late September. There is no significant difference in either wing length or tarsus length between adults and juveniles. Males have significantly greater wing length. There is no significant difference in tarsus length between the two sexes.
Some behavioural deviations in weaned domestic pigs: persistent inguinal nose thrusting, and tail and ear biting

Groups of pigs were observed from weaning to marketing for the incidence of tail and/or ear biting and persistent inguinal nose thrusting. The 16 groups included single and mixed litters, single or mixed-sex ratios, and comprised up to 12 pigs; 14 of the groups showed biting behaviour and 12 groups showed persistent inguinal nose thrusting behaviour. The onset of biting appeared from 0 to 44 days after weaning, and persistent inguinal nose thrusting was first observed 4 to 22 days after weaning. There was a significant relationship between the number of pigs biting and being bitten in a group. The high ranks tend to bite middle and low ranks more than expected, the middle ranks bite other middle ranks more than expected, and low ranks bite the least. Within any rank there was no difference between male and females biting or being bitten. The most common situation was to have, in a group, some pigs which only tail bit, others that only ear bit, and others which both tail and ear bit. It is suggested that biting is a learned response spread by visual communication, so that visual barriers around affected groups may help to limit the spread of an outbreak. In persistent inguinal nose thrusting behaviour, rank was important, as the top ranking pigs were the most most likely to show persistent inguinal nose thrusting. Persistent inguinal nose thrusting may have its origin in udder seeking, exploratory or rooting behaviour, but becomes used mainly by dominant pigs. The behaviour is halted by the pig which received the nose thrusts moving away.
Abundance and composition of solid waste materials on the western part of the Turkish Black Sea seabed

Accumulation of marine litter is a worldwide growing problem of pollution in seas. Although it is recognized as one of the major pollution types for the Black Sea, very few studies can provide quantitative data and there are no data at all on solid wastes of the Black Sea seabed. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the abundance and composition of solid wastes in the southwestern Black Sea. Litter items were collected by trawling in October 2007, and in February and April 2008, at depths ranging from 25 m to 100 m. The solid waste concentration on the seabed showed a large variability (with zones ranging from 128–1320 items km– 2 and 8–217 kg km-2). Marine litter concentrations were higher than in the Mediterranean Sea, consisting mainly of plastic materials. Most items were fragmented, which indicated that they had spent a long time at sea, and this made their identification difficult. Only 8 items had legible labels, 2 of them being Turkish and 6 foreign. This suggested that marine litter is a trans-boundary problem, not only in the oceans, but also for enclosed seas like the Black Sea. The situation needs to be monitored all over the basin using standardised methods in order to develop regionally valid and effective solutions.
Integration of nursery practices and vegetation management: economic and biological potential for improving regeneration

Researchers in New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Texas, and Alabama provided data on growth responses owing to nursery management practices and weed control after outplanting. Nursery treatments included nitrogen fertilization (0 vs. 168 kg/ha), seedling grades (small-diameter vs. large-diameter seedlings), and a comparison of stock types. Weed-control treatments varied by study and included broadcast and spot applications. Interactions between nursery practices and weed control were examined. Regardless of location, growth (2–8 years after planting) was increased as seedling diameter increased. Practices that increase average seedling diameter in the nursery are typically less costly than silvicultural practices required to obtain similar growth responses from small-diameter stock. Although interactions were observed among sites, stock size, and intensity of weed control, large-diameter stock consistently grew better than small-diameter stock regardless of site or site-preparation method. Thus, increa.
Competition between sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and black cherry (Padus serotina) : dynamics of seedlings growth

Competition is an evolutionary mechanism which exerts a selection pressure on living organisms. Forest trees compete for light, water and nutrients, especially at a young age. It was observed that the Quercus petraea and Padus serotina natural regenerations occupied the same site growing under the canopy of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.). To simulate the competition between young sessile oaks and black cherries found in for- est, a controlled experiment was conducted using one-year-old seedlings of both species. There were eight treatments of different competition intensity. The treatments were established varying the num- ber of potted seedlings and adding fresh cherry leaves to the substrate to enhance allelopathic ef- fects. It was hypothesized that black cherry would reduce the height growth and diameter at root collar of sessile oak seedlings and this inhibitory effect would be magnified by an increasing num- ber of cherry seedlings and/or fresh leaves. Black cherry as an invasive, fast-growing species was presumed to win the growth competition with oak. However, the differences in growth param- eters would not only depend on genetic differ- ences between the species, but also on the number of competing seedlings in pots and an allelopathic effect of cherry leaves. During the whole vegeta- tive season, each two weeks, the growth parame- ters of seedlings (height, height increment and di- ameter at root collar) were measured. The results did not support the hypothesis that cherry had an inhibitory effect on oak growth, at least after one vegetative season. Contrary, a presence of cherry seedlings enhanced the oak height increment (F = 8.6, P <0.001) which might be due to either the strong interspecific competition for light or, less plausibly, positive allelopathic effect, or an inter- action of both. Our results indicated a negative auto-allelopathic effect of cherry seedlings and/or fresh cherry leaves on height of cherry seedlings (F = 47.7, P <0.001). This invader showed a continu- ous and steep height increment within the whole vegetative season, whereas oak seedlings grew rapidly only in July. When compared the mean initial heights in April with those after the bud set in September, cherry was four fold and oak only two fold higher. A very intensive height increment gives black cherry an advantage over sessile oak at a young age which can disturb the spontaneous conversion of pine stands into a mixed pine-oak forest with a greater share of oak and other native deciduous tree species.
Bi-cropping white lupins (Lupinus albus L.) with cereals for wholecrop forage in organic farming: The effect of seed rate and harvest dates on crop yield and quality

Bi-crops of spring white lupin (Lupinus albus) cv. Dieta with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Paragon and spring triticale (Triticosecale Wittmark) cv. Logo grown on clay loam on Soil Association registered organic land near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, in the UK, gave higher dry matter (DM) yields across different seed rates for the crop mixtures than constituent monocultures. The lupin/triticale mixes gave the highest yields of forage, approaching 20 t ha− 1 DM. Lupin contributions to yield increased with increasing seed rate and later harvest dates (from mid July to late August). Calculated Land Equivalent Ratios exceeding 1 occurred for all lupin/cereal bi-crop treatments across all harvest dates, indicating a competitive resource advantage of the crop mixtures. All lupin/cereal bi-crops were nutritionally superior to the monocrops in chemical quality for crude protein, fibre, and ether extracts.
Effect of fire on population dynamics of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. during early succession after slash-and-burn agriculture (jhum) in northeastern India

Summary: Resume: Zusammenfassung The population size of Mikania micrantha H.B. K. is considerably enhanced by fire in 2-, 4- and 8-year-old fallows developing after slash-and-burn agriculture (jhum) in northeastern India. The recruitment pattern in burnt and unburnt sites in each fallow differed. Seedling recruitment was restricted only to burnt sites in 2- and 4-year-old fallows, whereas it occurred in both burnt and unburnt sites in an 8-year-old fallow. Sexual reproductive potential of the species was affected by the age of the fallow and by fire in each fallow plot. These results are related to micro-environmental changes in the habitat as a consequence of fire in different fallow plots. Effet du feu sur la dynamique des populations de Mikania micrantha H.B. K. dans un mode de conduite alternatif coupe-brulage dans le nord-est de l'Inde L'importance des populations de Mikania micrantha a ete considerablement augmentee par le feu dans des vieilles jacheres de 2, 4 et 8 ans conduites selon la technique coupe-brulage dans le Nord-Est de l'Inde. Le processus de reprise dans les zones brulees et non brulees a ete different pour chacune des jacheres. La reprise de plantules n'a eu lieu que dans les zones brulees pour les jacheres vieilles de 2 et 4 ans. mais elle est survenue en tout lieu dans la jachere de 8 ans. Le potentiel de reproduction sexuee a ete affectea la fois par l'âge de la jachere et par le feu dans chaque parcelle. Ces resultats sont lies a des changements microenvironnementaux dans l'habitat, consequence du feu dans les differentes parcelles en jachere. Der Einfluss von Feuer auf die Populationsdynamik von Mikania micrantha H.B. K. wahrend der Fruhentwicklung einer Folgevegetation nach Brandhackbau in NO-Indien Die Populationsdichte von Mikania micrantha H.B. K. wird nach Rodung und Abbrennen auf 2, 4 und 8 Jahre altem Brachland durch Feuer betrachtlich erhoht. Auf den einzelnen Brachflachen war die Wiederbesiedelung von abgebrannten und nicht abgebrannten Parzellen verschieden. Die Entwicklung einer Samlingspopulation war auf 2 resp. 4 Jahre altem Brachland auf abgebrannte Flachen beschrankt, wahrend auf 8 Jahre alter Brache sowohl auf abgebrannten als auch nicht abgebrannten Flachen die Entwicklung einer Samlingspopulation stattfand. Die sexuelle Reproduktionskraft der Species wird durch die Dauer der Brache und die Wirkung des Feuers beeinflusst. Diese Ergebnisse stehen in Beziehungzu kleinflachigen Umweltveranderungen im Biotop, als Folge des Feuers und des Alters der Brache.