Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental factors influencing germination in seeded seashore paspalum

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum 0. Swartz) is a perennial warm-season grass that is rapidly gaining popularity for use on golf courses and athletic fields. The first seeded cultivar of seashore paspalum was recently developed. Seed from the pilot production of this cultivar harvested in Oregon during 2002 by Turf-Seeds, Inc. demonstrated a high level of apparent seed dormancy with a tetrazolium test of 91% but a germination rate of less than 5% at room temperature. This seed was used in laboratory experiments to determine the effect of a number of environmental factors on germination response in this new turf species. Treatment factors are germination media, constant and alternating (night/day) temperatures, and light. A strong and significant effect of temperature on germination was observed. Total germination was increased at higher temperatures. At the same daytime temperature, seed germination under alternating temperature was better than germination at constant temperature. The effect of light on germination was significant at 20, 25, 30, 20/35 °C in water and at 25/35 °C in 0.2% KNO 3 germination media. However, the effect of light on germination in KNO 3 media was not significant at 35 °C constant and 20/30 °C alternating temperatures. Alternating temperature used in conjunction with KNO 3 media reduced the requirement for light. The use of 0.2% KNO 3 rather than water as the germination media increased germination in most temperature and light treatments. Based on our results, maximum germination percentage was obtained when seed was germinated at 35 °C constant or 20/35 °C alternating temperature. However, when we consider field application, 25/35 °C with light is more realistic condition in field. Therefore, recommended seed germination test condition is at 25/35 °C with KNO 3 treatment.
Characterization and distribution of pathogenic variation in Pyrenophora teres f. teres and P. teres f. maculata from western Canada

Two hundred and nineteen isolates of Pyrenophora teres, collected in western Canada, together with five reference cultures, were characterized by their reaction on 12 barley differentials. Eighty-two percent of isolates were of the net symptom producing form, P. teres f. teres and 18% were of the spot form, P. teres f. maculata. The net and spot forms of P. teres were further differentiated into 45 and 20 pathotypes, respectively. The pathogenic variability detected was considerably greater than previously reported. Whereas P. teres f. teres was distributed generally throughout the Prairie Provinces, P. teres f. maculata was most prevalent in Saskatchewan where it composed 35 percent of isolates. The eight most commonly grown malting and feed barley cultivars in western Canada were largely susceptible to 19 representative pathotypes of P. teres. Leduc, a six-rowed feed barley registered in 1985, had the best overall resistance. The susceptibility of barley cultivars currently being grown in western Canada.
In vitro antifungal susceptibility of nondermatophytic keratinophilic fungi.

The infections caused by dermatophytes are probably the most common communicable diseases affecting humans. However, other keratinophilic fungi are also occasionally reported as etiologic agents of human infections. Among them Scytalidium spp. , Scopulariopsis spp. and Chrysosporium spp. are relatively frequent [1]. Most Scytalidium species are saprophytes on wood or other plant material. Chrysosporium spp. live on remains of hairs and feathers in soil, and the “microconidia” present in most of the Microsporum and Trichophyton cultures are also typical Chrysosporium. Scopulariopsis spp. are common laboratory contaminants that are also frequently isolated from soil, food, paper and other materials. The most relevant pathogenic species from the above-mentioned genera is Scytalidium dimidiatum, also known as Nattrassia mangiferae, Hendersonula toruloidea and more recently considered to be indistinguishable from another close species, S. hyalinum [2]. Because of their ability to degrade keratin, these species are common causes of nail and skin infections, although more severe infections, both localized and systemic, are also reported [3-5]. In these cases some underlying conditions of the host, such as diabetes, immunosuppression or therapy with corticosteroids are common predisposing factors. Numerous therapeutic regimens have been used to treat the different types of infections caused by the nondermatophytic keratinophilic fungi but general assessment does not yet exist. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests may be useful but reliable in vitro methods need to be developed to detect the activity of antifungal agents that may predict clinical outcome. Several years ago the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) developed a standardized broth dilution method for the in vitro susceptibility testing of yeasts. Interpretative breakpoints have been proposed for some antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole and flucytosine) on the basis of a comparison of clinical outcome with the in vitro results [6]. In the last few years some studies have developed techniques for filamentous fungi [7-14], but their standardization is at a less advanced stage. However, the NCCLS has recently proposed a reference method for testing some species of filamentous fungi (document M38-P)[15], but interpretative criteria for these results have not yet been defined. In a recently published study we tested several strains of representative species of Scopulariopsis [16]. This study tests 29 strains of the most significant species In vitro antifungal susceptibility of nondermatophytic keratinophilic fungi
Improvement of yield, yield components and oil quality in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) by N-fixing bacteria fertilizers and urea

Experiments were conducted in 2009–2010 at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Yazd, Iran, to study the effect of nitrogen levels and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillum sp. on seed yield, its components and quality traits of sesame cultivars. Treatments were arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with nitrogen rates (0 (control), 25 and 50 kg N ha−1), cultivars (Darab-14, GL-13 and local) and N-fixing bacteria levels (non-inoculation and inoculation) were applied with three replications. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield and yield components, but reduced oil content in 2010. Inoculating seeds with PGPR increased yield and yield components of sesame cultivars compared to the control treatment. Seed yield in PGPR inoculation with half a rate of N fertilizer treatment was more than seed yield in the full rate of N fertilizer without a PGPR inoculation treatment. N fertilizer and PGPR application significantly decreased saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid) while it significantly increased unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acid). Oleic acid had a significant negative correlation with linoleic acid (r = −0.79). The result showed that an application of PGPR could be usefully applied to reduce use of chemical fertilizer.
Genetic typing of Croatian bovine viral diarrhea virus isolates.

BEDEKOVIĆ, T. , I. LOJKIĆ, N. LEMO, Ž. ČAČ, Ž. CVETNIĆ, M. LOJKIĆ, J. MADIĆ: Genetic typing of Croatian bovine viral diarrhea virus isolates. Vet. arhiv 82, 449-462, 2012. ABSTRACT Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 1937 sera samples and fi ve spleen samples from nine Croatian dairy herds were tested for the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) using virus isolation and the immunoperoxidase test. BVDV was detected in 13 persistently infected (PI) cattle with a non-cytopathogenic biotype, while in fi ve animals with fatal mucosal disease, isolates from spleen samples were of the cytopathogenic biotype. To reveal the genetic typing of Croatian BVDV isolates, viral RNA was extracted from infected cell cultures and amplifi ed by RT-PCR, with primers targeting the 5’-UTR and the Npro gene, followed by direct sequencing of purifi ed PCR products. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the 5’-UTR genome region determined that all Croatian isolates belonged to BVDV genotype 1; 11 isolates were grouped with BVDV-1b and 7 with BVDV1f viruses. The phylogenetic tree inferred by the Bayesian approach, using combined 5’-UTR/Npro, supported clustering of Croatian isolates in two subgroups. The deduced aminoacid sequence of the Npro region revealed 5 sites unique for four domestic BVDV-1f isolates.
What drives long-distance movements in the nomadic Grey Teal Anas gracilis in Australia?

In contrast to northern temperate environments, where day length and temperature changes are obvious proximate cues for movement to resource-rich breeding habitats, the cues for movement used by birds in an often resource-poor, stochastic environment are less obvious. We recorded long-distance movements of 23 Grey Teal Anas gracilis using satellite telemetry for up to 879 days and examined the relationship between those movements and environmental factors, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, at the destination site. We identified 32 long-distance [> 150 km) movements that met our criterion for minimally interrupted flight between origin and destination. Thirteen of these flights coincided with rainfall and/or flooding events up to 1050 km from the origin. However, some ducks moved without any clear beneficial conditions at the destination onto small wetlands in regions with little surface water. The data suggest that there are two types of long-distance movement - ranging and directed. These flights occurred over distances up to 1200 km across the arid inland. The rates and distances of movement suggest that long-distance movements of Grey Teal entail high energy costs as in waterfowl elsewhere. We conclude that the proximate controls of directIn contrast to northern temperate environments, where day length and temperature changes are obvious proximate cues for movement to resource-rich breeding habitats, the cues for movement used by birds in an often resource-poor, stochastic environment are less obvious. We recorded long-distance movements of 23 Grey Teal Anas gracilis using satellite telemetry for up to 879 days and examined the relationship between those movements and environmental factors, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, at the destination site. We identified 32 long-distance (> 150 km) movements that met our criterion for minimally interrupted flight between origin and destination. Thirteen of these flights coincided with rainfall and/or flooding events up to 1050 km from the origin. However, some ducks moved without any clear beneficial conditions at the destination onto small wetlands in regions with little surface water. The data suggest that there are two types of long-distance movement – ranging and directed. These flights occurred over distances up to 1200 km across the arid inland. The rates and distances of movement suggest that long-distance movements of Grey Teal entail high energy costs as in waterfowl elsewhere. We conclude that the proximate controls of directed movements need not be very different from those of their temperate counterparts.ed movements need not be very different from those of their temperate counterparts.
Female frog auditory sensitivity, male calls, and background noise: potential influences on the evolution of a peculiar matched filter

The matched filter hypothesis proposes that the tuning of females' auditory sensitivity matches the spectral energy distribution of males' signals. Such correspondence is expected to arise over evolutionary time, as it promotes conspecific information transfer and reduces interference from other sound sources. Our main objective was to determine the correspondence between the acoustic sensitivity of female frogs of Eupsophus roseus and the spectral characteristics of advertisement vocalizations produced by conspecific males. We also aimed to determine how auditory sensitivity is related to the characteristics of background noise. We analysed data on the auditory sensitivity of E. roseus females, and recordings of conspecific male vocalizations and of the acoustic environment during the breeding period of this species. Our results indicate a concordance between the auditory sensitivity of females and call spectra that would provide an appropriate detection of these signals. In addition, this matching is large relative to the correspondence between auditory sensitivity with the spectra of the abiotic and biotic background noise, with the last component being associated with calls of the related species Eupsophus vertebralis. This may be an adaptation of receivers confronting sound interference, which improves the capability of E. roseus to communicate sexually by means of acoustic signals. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110, 814–827.
Effects of leaf harvest on Thrinax radiata palm: implications for management and conservation.

CALVO-IRABIEN LM, ZAPATA MT & IRIARTE-VIVAR S. 2009. Effects of leaf harvest on Thrinax radiata palm: implications for management and conservation. For centuries, Mayans have used Thrinax radiata leaves for roof thatching and broom manufacturing. To determine sustainable leaf harvest levels, an evaluation was done to study the effects of four harvest regimes on individual-level and leaf-level responses. Four leaf harvest (i.e. defoliation) intensities were simulated: control (0%) ; low (30%) ; intermediate (70%) ; and high (100%), following traditional practices. Readings were taken every six months over an 18-month period to record survival, trunk height, leaf production and new leaf nitrogen content. Low intensity harvest (30%) increased leaf size but had no effect on leaf production. On the contrary, six months after harvest, individuals in the 100% treatment produced more leaves than the control. However, this treatment negatively affected future growth, which was reflected in decreasing leaf number and size, 18 months post-harvest. New leaf nitrogen content was unaffected by harvest intensity, suggesting that the mechanism responsible for compensation of lost tissue in T. radiata is primarily mobilization of carbohydrate reserves, and not an increase in leaf nitrogen content. Thirty per cent defoliation of palm crown is suggested as a sustainable leaf harvest level to ensure no effect on leaf size and rapid recovery of initial leaf number.
Effects of increasing the stocking density of large carps by 20% on ‘cash’ carp–small fish polyculture of Bangladesh

This experiment was carried out in the framework of a project to develop a viable fish polyculture technology under Bangladeshi conditions that allows simultaneous fish production of small indigenous species for the farmers' family consumption and of large carp species as a cash crop. The objectives of this experiment were to assess the effects on fish performance and on the environment of adding 20% large fish to the basic 'cash crop' carp-small fish polyculture consisting of 10 000 fish ha(-1) of the large carp rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton), catla Catla catla (Hamilton) and common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.) at a species ratio 1:1:1, and 15000 fish ha(-1) of each small indigenous fish punti Puntius sophore (Hamilton) and mola Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton) (control). The treatment ponds were stocked with additional 2000 large fish ha(-1), either all rohu, or all catla, or all common carp, or half rohu and half common carp, or half catla and half common carp. The results obtained and the analysis of interactions through the food web that affect food resource availability of the different fish species and account for the trends and differences observed among treatments confirm the positive effect of common carp on rohu reported in previous experiments and show that a 20% increase in large carps stocking neither affect the survival of the large carps nor reduce harvesting biomass of the small fish for the farmer's family consumption. Increased stocking densities of each large carp species did not significantly reduce its own harvesting weight and mean growth rate, while significantly increased rohu and catla (but not common carp) harvesting biomass and yield. The complex relations between species led to inter- and intraspecific competition, which in some treatments increased growth or yield of one species and in other treatments of other species, so that the gains on one species and the losses on the other led to no significant total harvested biomass differences between treatments. Yet, the results herein reported may help farmers to select their species stocking ratios. Thus, if the main target of the farmer is rohu, then a stocking density increase of 10% common carp and 10% rohu would improve rohu growth rate (due to common carp) and result in 50% higher rohu harvesting biomass and yield. If the main target of the farmer is catla, then a 20% increase in catla stocking density would lead to 20% higher catla harvesting biomass.
A Model for Germination Rate during Dormancy Loss in Hordeum vulgare

A quantitative model for change in germination rate of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during and after loss of primary dormancy is presented. Change in mean germination time on a logarithmic scale is normally distributed within the period of after-ripening and the standard deviation of this distribution is shown to be a quantitative function of after-ripening temperature. The rate of change of mean germination time is in inverse proportion to the product of the standard deviation and a parameter which is characteristic of the seed population. The latter parameter is the rate constant for change in probit cumulative germination as a negative linear function of the logarithm of mean germination time. A model based solely on dormancy loss is combined with an existing model of change in probit viability as a function of mean germination time to produce a model which predicts the time to and optimum value of mean germination rate of a population as it after-ripens. The model provides a quantitative link between the effect of pre-germination and germination environments on total and rate of germination of an initially dormant population. Experimental data from dormant barley (cv. Triumph) stored at 27, 38, 45, 50 and 60 °C, and germinated at 18 °C were used to validate the model. The data show that germination rate continues to increase after primary dormancy is lost until it reaches an upper limit determined by the intrinsic germinative vigour of the seed lot. Rate of loss of primary dormancy and increase in germination rate thus appear to be quantitatively linked as a function of after-ripening temperature and factors which may be specific to the mode of induction of dormancy within a seed lot prior to harvest.
Two Arabidopsis thaliana dihydrodipicolinate synthases, DHDPS1 and DHDPS2, are unequally redundant.

In Arabidopsis thalinana (L.) Heynh. , DHDPS1 and DHDPS2 encode orthologous dihydrodipicolinate synthases (DHDPS), the first enzyme of the lysine (Lys) biosynthesis pathway. A TDNA insertion mutant of dhdps2 was previously reported to be viable and to accumulate free threonine (Thr). Analysis of additional TDNA insertion lines showed that dhdps1 and dhdps2 mutants are both viable and that whereas dhdps2 mutants accumulate Thr, dhdps1 plants do not. Thr-accumulation was complemented by heterologous expression of Escherichia coli DapA, indicating that the phenotype is due to reduced DHDPS activity in dhdps2. DHDPS1 contributes ~30% towards the total DHDPS activity in leaves of young plants and DHDPS2 contributes 70%; therefore, the threshold of activity resulting in Thr accumulation lies within this narrow range. dhdps1-dhdps2 double mutants could not be isolated, even after exogenous feeding with Lys. Segregation analysis indicated that gametes lacking functional DHDPS genes are defective, as are embryos. Plants carrying only a single DHDPS2 gene do not accumulate Thr, but they show a gametophytic defect that is partially rescued by Lys application. Despite the accumulation of Thr, dhdps2 seedlings are no more sensitive than wild-type plants to growth inhibition by Lys or the Lys precursor diaminopimelate. They also are not rescued by methionine at growth-inhibitory Lys concentrations. Exogenous application of Lys and methionine to dhdps2 mutants did not reduce the accumulation of Thr.
Patterns in subtidal seaweed communities on coral-dominated reefs at Sodwana Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa

Subtidal seaweed communities of the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have not been studied before. At Sodwana Bay, we tested the hypotheses that the seaweed communities would (1) differ floristically with depth, (2) be more species-rich in shallower water, (3) show similar biomasses within the depth range sampled and (4) be affected (biomass and/or species composition) by sand. Samples were collected (using SCUBA) from reefs ('sites') at depths of about 1m, 7m, 10m, 15m and 26m. Each sample comprised all macroscopic (non-crustose) seaweeds within a 25cm × 25cm quadrat (five quadrats per depth). Environmental factors, including percentage sand cover and depth, were recorded. The seaweed communities were mainly compact turfs; a total of 82 Rhodophyta, 14 Chlorophyta and eight Phaeophyta were recorded. Ordination (canonical correspondence analysis) and classification (Twinspan) of the data showed clear differences in the floristic composition (either as species biomass or presence/absence) with depth, mainly between shallow subtidal communities (0.5–1.0m depth) and those at intermediate depths (5.5–15.0m), followed by the deepest communities (25.7–29.0m) and those at intermediate depths. The shallow samples showed the greatest species diversity. Total seaweed biomass decreased significantly with depth and percentage bare (seaweed-free) substratum increased significantly with depth, possibly because of lower wave action, light penetration, or different grazing patterns. Sand (as percentage sand cover) also affected seaweed community composition, but this showed no pattern with depth. The algal communities on these reefs at Sodwana Bay showed exceptional α-diversity, with 104 taxa (>20% of the recorded KZN flora) occurring in the total sample area of only 1.56m2. The seaweed communities of northern KZN are structurally and floristically similar to those of other tropical coral reefs around the world.
Phylogenetic Relationships in the Macrobiotidae (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Parachela)

Abstract Characters of the claws, buccal-pharyngeal apparatus and ultrastructure of the cuticle have been examined to identify phyletic relationships within the Macrobiotidae. Several apomorphies have been identified. The resulting cladogram shows two main phyletic lines within the family, corresponding to the subfamilies Macrobiotinae and Murrayinae. The relationships among the genera of the Murrayinae are resolved, whereas in the Macrobiotinae five main phyletic lines are identified, whose relationships are still unknown. Pseudodiphascon and Macrobiotus appear to be polyphyletic genera.