Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomass production and species composition change in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem after long‐term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2

To determine the long‐term impact of elevated CO2 on primary production of native tallgrass prairie, we compared the responses of tallgrass prairie at ambient and twice‐ambient atmospheric CO2 levels over an 8‐year period. Plots in open‐top chambers (4.5 m diameter) were exposed continuously (24 h) to ambient and elevated CO2 from early April to late October each year. Unchambered plots were monitored also. Above‐ground peak biomass was determined by clipping each year in early August, and root growth was estimated by harvesting roots from root ingrowth bags. Plant community composition was censused each year in early June. In the last 2 years of the study, subplots were clipped on 1 June or 1 July, and regrowth was harvested on 1 October. Volumetric soil water content of the 0–100 cm soil layer was determined using neutron scattering, and was generally higher in elevated CO2 plots than ambient. Peak above‐ground biomass was greater on elevated CO2 plots than ambient CO2 plots with or without chambers during years with significant plant water stress. Above‐ground regrowth biomass was greater under elevated CO2 than under ambient CO2 in a year with late‐season water stress, but did not differ in a wetter year. Root ingrowth biomass was also greater in elevated CO2 plots than ambient CO2 plots when water stress occurred during the growing season. The basal cover and relative amount of warm‐season perennial grasses (C4) in the stand changed little during the 8‐year period, but basal cover and relative amount of cool‐season perennial grasses (C3) in the stand declined in the elevated CO2 plots and in ambient CO2 plots with chambers. Forbs (C3) and members of the Cyperaceae (C3) increased in basal cover and relative amount in the stand at elevated compared to ambient CO2. Greater biomass production under elevated CO2 in C4‐dominated grasslands may lead to a greater carbon sequestration by those ecosystems and reduce peak atmospheric CO2 concentrations in the future.
INHERITANCE OF AGE AT SEXUAL MATURITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOME PRODUCTION TRAITS OF JAPANES QUAILS

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the age at sexual maturity (ASM) and some performance traits of Japanese quail and also to estimate the phenotypic and genetic parameter for egg production traits. Data of the first egg laid was recorded of each female of seven hundreds and forty five of caged-housed female Japanese quail. The females were classified according to their age at sexual maturity (X±l SD); into three category groups being early age at sexual maturity (ESM) aver-aged (42.98d
Tolerância ao calor em ovelhas Santa Inês de pelagem clara e escura

The heat tolerance index (HTI) of 16 light colored and 15 dark colored pelage of Santa Ines breed was evaluated. This study was carried out on hot days with BGHI greater than 90. In order to calculate HTI (10 – (RT2 - RT1)) rectal temperature (RT) was recorded at 01:00 p.m. (RT1) after two hours of rest in the shade. Later they were exposed to direct sun light for one hour and then they rested one more hour under shade, when the RT2 was recorded at 03:00 p.m. A completely randomized design was used to analyze hair length (HL), coat thickness (CT), skin temperature (TS) and coat temperature (TC). No differences on RT were observed between light colored and dark colored hair coat ewes, but all of them raised their temperatures (P<0.05) after heat stress. No differences on HTI, CT, HL, and TS were observed between groups, but the black colored hair coat ewes had the highest TC (P<0.05). No effect on heat tolerance between dark colored and light colored hair coat Santa Ines breed in heat conditions is observed.
Phylogeny of Leavenworthia and Selenia (Brassicaceae)

Abstract The present study aimed to develop a robust, extensively sampled phylogenetic hypothesis across all species in Leavenworthia and Selenia using chloroplast (psbJ—petA) and nuclear encoded (nrDNA ITS and LUMINIDEPENDENS) DNA sequence data. Parsimony and maximum likelihood methodologies were employed. Strong maximum likelihood bootstrap and parsimony jackknife support were recovered for the monophyly of the sister pair Leavenworthia plus Selenia and for the respective monophyly of each genus. Leavenworthia and Selenia are hypothesized to have diverged in the Ozark Mountains and results from an analysis of branch lengths leading to Leavenworthia and Selenia clades are consistent with Leavenworthia having diversified more recently than Selenia. Polyploidy and extensive aneuploidy complicate the interpretation of chromosomal evolution within and between these genera. Comparative results from phylogenetic analyses indicate that L. aurea and L. texana are hybrids with a shared set of putative parents. Lastly, patterns of diversification within Leavenworthia appear to have included a minimum of three transformations from self-incompatible to self-compatible systems.
Antioxidant Levels Decrease in Primary Leaves of Barley during Growth at Ambient and Elevated Carbon Dioxide Levels1

Previous studies revealed that the primary leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Brant) that were grown in high‐light growth chambers in elevated CO2 (100 Pa) developed symptoms of senescence earlier than primary leaves of barley plants concurrently grown in ambient CO2 (36 Pa). The onset of senescence in these leaves was hypothesized to be associated with a decline in antioxidant capacity that resulted in higher levels of active oxygen species, which caused oxidative stress. In this new study, barley was grown from planting in high‐light growth chambers supplied with either ambient CO2 (36 Pa) or elevated CO2 (100 Pa). From 9 to 17 d after planting (DAP), primary leaf chlorophyll level as well as photosynthetic oxygen evolution per unit fresh mass decreased in plants in elevated CO2 to a greater extent than in plants in ambient CO2. Exposure of plants to elevated CO2 resulted in higher levels of primary leaf–free glucose, sucrose, and starch than in plants concurrently exposed to ambient CO2; this was most evident during 9–13 DAP. However, between 13 and 17 DAP, levels of foliar carbohydrates decreased to a greater extent in elevated CO2 than in ambient CO2, indicating that photosynthetic carbon metabolism was more repressed in this period in elevated CO2 treatments. In ambient CO2 over the period of 9–17 DAP, primary leaf total ascorbic acid (ASCtot) and total glutathione (GSHtot) levels decreased 38% and 51%, respectively. In elevated CO2 over this same time period, ASCtot and GSHtot decreased 45% and 63%, respectively. Since ASCtot and GSHtot are antioxidants involved in protecting the chloroplast from damage by active oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide, we conclude that the decrease in ASCtot and GSHtot were factors in elevated CO2‐induced photosynthetic decline in barley primary leaves. Further, we interpret the greater decrease in ASCtot in elevated CO2 to be caused by a greater decrease in photosynthate partitioning and photosynthate availability, which supports ASC synthesis. We also suggest that decrease in glutathione in elevated CO2 may be related to an inhibition by elevated CO2 of photorespiratory carbon metabolism.
LIFE CYCLE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE SPRUCE BUDMOTH, ZEIRAPHERA CANADENSIS (LEPIDOPTERA: OLETHREUTIDAE), IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Abstract The life cycle, feeding behavior, and feeding damage of the spruce budmoth, Zeiraphera canadensis, were studied in northern New Brunswick. Larval emergence, which began in late May, was usually completed within 10 days. First-instar larvae did not feed on the previous year's foliage and took less than 30 min to settle inside a growing shoot, from which they exited only at the end of larval development. Larvae then dropped to the ground and remained as prepupae for approximately 6 days. Mating could be observed the first night following adult emergence. The majority of the mated females contained only 1 spermatophore (92%); others had 2 (7%) or 3 (1%). Although 95% of the egg clusters had 7 eggs or less, 5% had up to 19 eggs. Eggs required embryonic development before successful diapause could be initiated. The importance of these observations in the development of management strategies for this pest is discussed. Résumé Le cycle vital, le comportement lors de la période d'alimentation et le type de dégâts infligé par la tordeuse de l'épinette, Zeiraphera canadensis, ont été étudiés dans le nord du Nouveau Brunswick. L'émergence des larves, qui a débuté à la fin du mois de mai, fut généralement complétée en moins de 10 jours. Les individus du 1er stade larvaire se nourissaient exclusivement de feuillage de l'année courante, prirent moins de 30 min pour s'établir à l'intérieur d'une pousse de l'année et ce, pour y demeurer, habituellement à l'intérieur de la même pousse, pour toute la durée du développement larvaire. Une fois le développement larvaire complété, les larves tombaient au sol et prenaient environ 6 jours avant de se transformer en nymphe. Des adultes ayant émergé tôt le matin furent observés en train de s'accoupler le soir même. Les femelles accouplés contenaient 1 (92%), 2 (7%) ou 3 (1%) spermatophores. Bien que la majorité des masses d'oeufs contenaient 7 oeufs ou moins, une faible proportion (5%) en contenait jusqu'à 19. Pour être en mesure d'amorcer la diapause, les oeufs devaient compléter une période de développement embryonnaire. L'importance de ces études sur le développement de stratégies pour le contrôle de cet insecte nuisible est également l'objet de la discussion.
Linkage mapping of lentil (Lens culinaris L.) genome using recombinant inbred lines revealed by AFLP, ISSR, RAPD and some morphologic markers

We have constructed a molecular linkage map of lentil (Lens culinaris L.) in a RIL population (developed from the parents Precoz x WA8949041) of 94 plants with 166 markers. The resulting linkage map consists of 11 (varying between 50.9 – 436.5 cM) linkage groups covering 1396.3 cM with an average map distance between framework markers of 8.4 cM. Most of the RAPD and ISSR markers were evenly distributed across the genome. By using 40 primer combinations, we were able to generate 391 AFLP markers in the RIL population. The majority of the AFLP markers clustered in linkage group 1. In the segregation distortion analysis, 185 markers deviated from Mendelian segregation. Of the 185 markers with skewed segregation, 108 markers were unlinked and the rest of the distorted markers mapped to linkage groups. LG1 contained the most distorted marker among the linkage groups. Key words: AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, lentil, segregation distortion, linkage map.
Zusammenhang zwischen Kopf-Schnabelmorphologie und Futter- aufnahmeverhalten sowie Jungenaufzucht bei einer kurz- schnäbligen Taubenrasse * Relationships between head-beak morphology and feed intake behaviour as well as rearing of nestlings in a short beak pigeon breed

Summary Relationships between head-beak morphology and feed intake behaviour as well as rearing of nestlings in a short beak pigeon breed The results of previous studies indicated that selection foraesthetic breeding goals in the short beak pigeon breedHalf-Baska resulted in disadvantages in feed intake. In ad-dition, a high variation in feed intake time in the short beakbreed as compared to the norm al beak breed was reported.This led to the hypothesis that feed intake behaviour is notonly affected by the length of the beak but also by headmorphology as well as beak width and beak height. More-over, the beak plays an important role in feeding of nest-lings in pigeons. Therefore, the rearing performance of pi-geon breeds with a short and a normal beak was com-pared. The breed Half-Baska (HB), originating from north-west Turkey, was used as a model bird for short beak pi-geons. English Flyingtippler (EF) was used for the compar-ison. During rearing several clutches of HB and EF breed-ing pairs (with similar days of hatch) were randomly ex-changed. Thus four groups were formed: 1. HB birds feed-ing HB squabs (CB-CB), 2. HB birds feeding EF squabs(HB-EF), 3. EF birds feeding HB squabs (EF-HB), and 4. EFbirds feeding EF squabs (EF-EF). The short beak Half Baska birds had a 37% shorter beakthan the English Flyingtippler breed. In HB birds, the cor-relation coefficients between feed intake speed and headheight (r = 0.36; P = 0.031) as well as head depth (r = 0.33;P = 0.050) were significant However, no relations were ob-served between feed intake speed and head width as wellas beak traits (P > 0.050). The rearing groups had a significant effect on bodyweight and daily live weight gain of the nestlings(P<0.001). Nestlings of HB-HB group had a substantial dis-advantage in growth. Moreover, a high mortality rate wasfound (32%) for the same group (HB-HB), but the differ-ence from EF-EF group was not significant (19%). The relationships between feed intake behavior andhead form explain the observed high variation in feed in-take speed in HB birds. The retarded growth of HB-HBsquabs revealed that the species-specific reproductive pat-tern was disturbed in the short beak pigeon.
Characterisation of smallholding dairy farms in southern Brazil

Smallholder dairy farmers that are responsible for 90% of the milk produced in Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil, transitioned in recent decades from milk production for self-consumption to commercial dairying. The objective of this study was to identify groups sharing common characteristics, potentials and limitations and compare their main management practices, milk production and milk quality. We collected data from 124 farms distributed in 24 municipalities, using semi-structured interviews, inspection of the housing and milking environment, and live observations during one complete milking. Multivariate analyses revealed three groups of farmers: ‘Semi-Intensive’ (n = 51), ‘Pasture-Based’ (n = 50), and ‘Extensive’ (n = 23). Group differences included land and herd size (both larger in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.002); feeding management of dairy cows (e.g. greater use of pasture improvement techniques in Extensive and Pasture-Based, and more efficient rotational grazing management in Pasture-Based, P < 0.04); use of external inputs (e.g. lower use of concentrate and silage in Pasture-Based, P < 0.001); milking infrastructure and hygiene practices (better in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.04), and milk productivity (greater in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.001). The Extensive group conserves several features of the subsistence, traditional mode of milk production, and makes inefficient use of costly feeding practices, which threatens its sustainability. The two other groups of farms took different, almost opposite directions to deal with the limitations in farm area: the Semi-Intensive group have adopted an entrepreneurial farming style and the Pasture-Based, a more agroecological path. These results highlight the need to develop specific strategies and policies to help these different types of producers to coexist in the dairy production chain.
Antibacterial Activity of Turkish Endemic Sideritis Akmanii (Lamiaceae)

Antibacterial activity of Sideritis akmanii Z. Aytac, M. Ekici and A. Donmez extracts was investigated by disc diffusion methods against Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans. Different concentrations of Sideritis akmanii oil posses a significant antibacterial acitivity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but have no effect on yeasts. This plant can be used as a food additive and traditional medicine. ABSTRACT
Factors affecting predation by buzzards Buteo buteo on released pheasants Phasianus colchicus

Summary 1 Information on the effects of wildlife predation on game and livestock is required to allow improved management of all organisms involved. Monitoring of prey, predators and predation mechanisms each suggests important methods, illustrated here by data from common buzzards Buteo buteo and ring-necked pheasants Phasianus colchicus. 2 Location data from 136 radio-tagged common buzzards, together with prey remains from 40 nest areas, records from 10 gamekeepers and vegetation surveys, were used to investigate raptor predation at 28 pens from which pheasants were released in southern England. 3 Among 20 725 juvenile pheasants released in 1994–95, gamekeepers attributed 4·3% of deaths to buzzards, 0·7% to owls, 0·6% to sparrowhawks, 3·2% to foxes and 0·5% to other mammals. 4 Fresh pheasant remains were found on 7% of 91 visits to buzzard nests, and 8% of radio-tagged buzzards had significantly more association than other buzzards with pheasant pens. 5 Predation by buzzards was most likely to be recorded at release pens with little shrub cover, deciduous canopies and a large number of released pheasants. The number of pheasants killed was greatest in large pens with extensive ground cover, and the highest proportion of released pheasants was killed in large pens where few were released. However, only 21% of 55 releases had > 2 pheasant kills per week. 6 Radio-tagged buzzards were located most often at pheasant-release pens with open, deciduous canopies. Pens were most likely to be visited by buzzards that had fledged nearby, but the proximity of buzzard nests had little influence on how much predation occurred. 7 Only a minority of buzzards associated frequently with pheasant pens, and predation was heavy at only a minority of sites, where pen characteristics and release factors probably made it easy for individual buzzards to kill pheasants. We suggest that the occasional heavy losses could be avoided by encouraging shrubs rather than ground cover in pens, by siting pens where there are few perches for buzzards, and perhaps also by high-density releases.
Screening for 3435C>T and 2677G>T/A Polymorphisms of Multi- Drug Resistance (MDR1) Gene in Malay Patients with Leukemia

The prevalence of 2677G>T and 3435C>T polymorphisms of the multi-drug resistance (MDR1) gene was found to be different in many populations and it was significantly influenced by ethnicities. The mechanism on how these two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a role in regulating the MDR1 expression especially in leukemia patients is still unclear and controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of 3435C>T and 2677G>T/A polymorphisms among Malay patients diagnosed to have leukemia (n=101) by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based assays. The genotype frequencies for homozygous genotype GG, heterozygous genotype GT and genotype GA and homozygous mutation genotype TT or AA in exon 21 were reported as 36.9%, 48.5%, 5.8% and 8.7%, respectively. In exon 26, the frequencies were 34.0%, 50.5% and 15.5% for the homozygous wild type CC, heterozygous mutation CT and homozygous mutation TT, respectively. There were no association found between the distribution of SNPs in both exons with the types of leukemia and sex of patients. Therefore, further clinical studies in a larger sample size should be carried out in order to fin d the association between sex and types of leukemia in distribution of common SNPs in Malay patients with leukemia. The significant implication of these common SNPs to the level of P-gp expression in Malay patients with leukemia that might contribute to the chemotherapy resistance should be carried out as a future study.
Discrepancy Score Reliabilities in the WISC-IV Standardization Sample

This investigation provides internal consistency reliabilities for Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) subtest and index discrepancy scores using the standardization sample as the data source. Reliabilities range from . 50 to . 82 for subtest discrepancy scores and from . 78 to . 88 for index discrepancy scores. Thus, the reliabilities of the WISC-IV subtest and index discrepancy scores do not reach the ≥. 90 criterion recommended for clinical decision making. However, 5 of the 66 subtest and 33 of the 36 index discrepancy score reliabilities are ≥. 80, which is regarded as adequate when hypothesis generation is the goal instead of decision making.
Effect of foliar spray of different growth regulators on yield and yield attributes of safflower

Four different growth regulators were evaluated on safflower, cv. Bhima to study the effect on yield and yield contributing characters. Application of 10 ppm kinetin at 20 DAS stage was found significantly superior for seed yield and other characters like number of branches per plant, number of capitula per plant, number of seeds per capitula. Seed oil content was significantly higher with 10 ppm kinetin applied at 30 DAS stage. TIBA although inhibited stem elongation showed significant increase in yield and yield contributing characters. The other treatments like 50 ppm GA and 1 per cent SA applied at 30 DAS stage, showed inckased seed yield by 6.74 and 4.24 per cent over control. The increase in seed yield by application of growth regulators was attributed to the increase in characters like number of branches per plant, number of capitula per plant and harvest index.
Mosquito adulticidal properties of Delonix elata (Family: Fabaceae) against dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

*Corresponding author: Dr. M. Govindarajan (Principal Investigator, DST-Fast Track Young Scientist Project, UGCMajor Research Project and ICMR Ad-hoc Research Project) , Unit of Vector Biology and Phytochemistry, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Tamil Nadu, India. Tel: 91-4144-238248 Fax: 91-4144-238080 E-mail: drgovind1979@gmail.com Foundation Project: Supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC) [F.No.39646/2010 (SR)], New Delhi, India.
Effects of Cymbopogon citratus leaf and Zingiber officinale rhizome supplementation on growth performance, ileal morphology and lactic acid concentration in broilers

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of feeding Cymbopogon citratus leaf and Zingiber officinale rhizome on growth performance, digestibility, ileum morphology and ileal lactic acid concentration in broilers. A total of 108- day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups with six replicates in each treatment. Dietary treatments were no supplementation (control) and supplementations with 2% dried Zingiber officinale rhizomes and 2% dried Cymbopogon citratus leaves, respectively. Growth performance, feed consumption, ileal lactic acid concentration and villus height and crypt depth of the ileum were measured at the end of study period of six weeks. The results obtained showed that the final body weight and body weight gain of the birds fed Zingiber officinale were similar to the corresponding figures of the birds fed the control diet. Overall, broilers fed with Cymbopogon citratus, showed poorer performance as compared to birds in the other two treatments. Digestibility and villus height: crypt depth ratio were not significantly different between treatments. It can be concluded that supplementing broiler feed with either Zingiber officinale or Cymbopogon citratus did not improve bird performance despite the higher lactic acid content observed with the bird fed the Zingiber officinale supplemented feed.