Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between Phaedrotoma scabriventris Nixon and Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Endoparasitoids of Liriomyza Leafminer

The exotic parasitoid, Phaedrotoma scabriventris Nixon, was imported from Peru for the biological control of invasive Liriomyza species in vegetable and ornamental crops in Kenya where Opius dissitus Muesebeck is the most abundant indigenous Liriomyza parasitoid. Both species are solitary larva-pupal endoparasioids attacking the same larval stage. In order to assess whether these two species compete or co-exist, an interaction study involving sole, sequential and simultaneous releases of the two species on polyphagous Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) was conducted in the laboratory at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya. Simultaneous releases of 50 individuals each of the two parasitoids resulted in significantly higher total parasitism rate (61.96±4.60) than in the single release of P. scabriventris (34.94±8.50). Simultaneous release of 25 individuals of each species resulted in a parasitism rate (44.52 ± 2.75) similar to that obtained for single releases of 50 individuals of O. dissitus (42.57 ± 3.35) and P. scabriventris (34.94 ± 8.50). No significant effect was observed in total parasitism between sequential and single releases of 50 individuals of each species. The specific parasitism rate of each parasitoid species in the simultaneous release of 50 individuals of each species was not significantly different from when each species was released alone. The first introduced parasitoid in sequential releases achieved the same parasitism rate as when released alone. However, the second released species gave a significantly lower parasitism rate than when released alone and compared to the first released species. The F1 progeny sex ratio was balanced for P. scabriventris but male-biased inO. dissitus. The sex ratios of both parasitoid species were not significantly affected, neither in simultaneous nor sequential releases, except in one of the sequential release where P. scabriventris was released second, with its sex ratio significantly female-biased. Non-reproductive host mortality was not important for both parasitoids when used alone and in combined releases compared to the natural mortality observed in the control. These findings suggest that P. scabriventris has no detrimental effect onO. dissitus and its release into Kenya's agricultural ecosystems will enhance the management of Liriomyza leafminer.
The Methods of Herbarium Taxonomy

Taxonomic knowledge of any group of plants com prises two parts? descriptive and phylogenetic. This duality is embodied in definitions of taxonomy, such as that of Simpson (1961), who defined systematics1 as: "the scientific study of the kinds and diversity of or ganisms and of any and all relationships among them. " Descriptive and phylogenetic studies have dif ferent goals and methods. Descriptive taxonomy is mostly concerned with the delimitation of species and the associated activities of description and nomencla ture. Phylogenetic analysis is mostly concerned with discovering relationships among taxa and the associ ated activity of classification. Phylogenetic study of a group depends, of course, on descriptive knowledge of that group, but the converse is not true. Descriptive taxonomy is the first stage in the taxonomic process, and lays the foundation for all that follows. Because of this, it might be argued that the descriptive stage is the more important one. It is somewhat paradoxical, then, that despite the spectacular advances in phylo genetic analysis over the last 30 years there have been few, if any comparable advances in descriptive meth odology. Indeed, Stevens (2000) considered that gen eral systematic practice at the species level had changed little over the last century. It is remarkable that there has been so little discussion and so few con
Predatory shell drilling by two species of Austroginella (Gastropoda: Marginellidae)

Predatory shell drilling of bivalve mollusc shells is reported for the gastropods Austroginella johnstoni and A. muscaria from south-eastern Australia. This is the first record of this feeding behaviour in the family Marginellidae. The drill holes are circular and paraboloid, with a small inner penetration hole. The corroded nature of the aragonite crystals within the drill holes suggests a chemical dissolution drilling mechanism. No obvious accessory boring organ was located. The gastropods have subepithelial gland cells in the proboscis, a pair of small salivary glands and a large foregut gland. The latter has a duct bypassing the valve of Leiblein and joining the anterior oesophagus.
Fish Energetics: New Perspectives

Part I: Evolutionary aspects of energy budgets. Adaptive aspects of energy allocation - Peter Calow Metabolic scope in fishes - Imants G Priede Part II: Food and feeding. The application of optimal foraging theory to feeding behaviour in fish - Colin R Townsend and Ian J Winfield Energetics of feeding and digestion - T J Pandian and E Vivekanandan Laboratory methods in fish feeding and nutritional studies - Clive Talbot Protein and amino acid requirements - Albert G J Tacon and Colin B Cowey The hormonal control of metabolism and feeding - A J Matty and K P Lone Part III: Production. Growth - Malcolm Jobling Energetics of reproduction - Robert J Wootton Part IV: Energy budgets. Laboratory studies of energy budgets - Alan E Brafield Field studies of energy budgets - N M Soofiani and A D Hawkins Energetics and fish farming - Brian Knights Subject index. Systematic index.
Chloramine-t for “no-carrier-added” labelling of aromatic biomolecules with bromine-75,77

The applicability of chloramine-T (CAT) was examined for “no-carrier-added” labelling of aromatic compounds with the short-lived isotopes bromine-77 (T1/2 = 56 h) and bromine-75 (T1/2 = 98 min). In aqueous solution the optimum reaction conditions with respect to pH, concentration of CAT, reaction time and added brominecarrier were determined using tyrosine as a model substrate. Highest radiochemical yields (>85%) were obtained at pH 1 within a few seconds at a CAT concentration of 10−3 M. At pH 7 a maximum radiochemical yield of 65% was achieved with 10−2 M after 2.5 minutes. Studies with some model peptides showed that only the tyrosyl residues were brominated and similar yields were obtained as in free tyrosine. Some aromatic molecules such as α-methyl-tyrosine, phenylalanine, uracil, cytosine, and phenol were radiobrominated by the CAT method with yields up to 90%. Separation and identification of the labelled products were achieved by means of radio high performance liquid chromatography.
Dietary nucleotides improve the immune status of puppies at weaning

Summary Animals have a continuous requirement for nucleotides, especially for systems that present a high rate of cell turnover-like the immune system. Nucleotides may become conditionally essential nutrients under certain circumstances (e.g. weaning period) because endogenous synthesis may be insufficient to sustain normal function. In this case the immune function depends upon dietary nucleotide sources. The aim of the present study was to test the impact of a nucleotide supplement, specifically designed to mimic nucleotide composition in bitch's milk, on the immune function of weaned puppies. A total of 21 beagle puppies weaned at 8 weeks of age were allocated to three balanced groups and fed one of the following diets: standard commercial puppy diet (control diet); control diet supplemented with 900 p.p.m. of nucleotides or control diet supplemented with 1350 p.p.m. of nucleotides. One week later weaning puppies were vaccinated with an heptavalent vaccine. During the study blood samples were taken in order to analyse plasmatic concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), non-specific immunoglobulins and antibody titre against parvovirus. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulation test was also performed. Supplemented groups showed higher antibody titre against parvovirus 14 days after vaccination and higher unspecific immunoglobulin levels. PBMC stimulation test at 35 days also showed higher results in the supplemented groups. CRP 1 day after vaccination and haematocrit after 35 days showed better results for the supplemented groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with nucleotides mimicking nucleotide composition of bitch's milk, improved the immune response capacity of puppies at weaning.
Bio-control activity of Purpureocillium lilacinum strains in managing root-knot disease of tomato caused by Meloidogyne incognita

The potential of 24 indigenous isolates of Purpureocillium lilacinum (Paecilomyces lilacinus) (Thom) Samson collected from different agro-climatic zones of India was investigated against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. The studies were conducted in vitro (larvicidal, ovicidal and egg-parasitising capacity) and under naturally infested field conditions with selected strains. Repeated field trials were conducted with talc-based preparations of fungal strains at 10 kg ha−1, which were applied mixed in farm yard manure (FYM) at 1.5 t ha−1. Results (in vitro) showed that all tested isolates were capable to parasitise eggs, inhibit egg hatching and cause juvenile mortality of M. incognita at various levels. Based on the performance under in vitro studies, eight isolates (NDPL-01, ANDPL-02, SHGPL-03, HYBPL-04, AHDPL-05, PTNPL-06, SNGPL-07 and VNSPL-08) were re-tested to confirm the results. HYBDPL-04 was found causing highest mortality (80%), inhibition of egg hatching (90%) as well as parasitisation of M. incognita eggs (75%). Under field trials also, the best protection of root-knot disease of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), in terms of reduction of galls (61%) and reproductive factor (Pf/Pi (RF) = 0.2) was achieved through application of HYBDPL-04 + FYM compared to control and other tested isolates. It also enhanced marketable yield of tomato up to 43%. It is concluded that the HYBDPL-04 strain of P. lilacinum is highly effective for management of root-knot disease of tomato under naturally infested field conditions. It is the isolate which produced the maximum number of metabolites which were extracted through high pressure liquid chromatography.
Avaliação de desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e qualidade da carne do peito em frangos de linhagens de conformação versus convencionais

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different commercial strain (conformation versus conventional) on performance, carcass yield and parts, physical determinations (thickness, width and length of breast fillet) and breast meat quality (weight loss for cooking, shear force and pH) in broilers with 35, 42 and 49 days of age. Two thousand and four hundred day-old chicks were assigned to a randomized 5x2 factorial design, with five strains (conformation: A, B and C; and conventional D and E) and two sex, with four replicates of 60 birds each. The birds growth rate was different. Some strains showed higher growth rate among the conformation strains, as well as among the conventional ones. Strains also showed different performance for weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio. Among the conformation strains, there was a strain that showed higher performance than the conventional ones, but the opposite was also verified. Carcass yield was affected at 35 days, and conformation strains presented the highest yield. Leg and leg meat yield were similar or better in the conventional strain, even so the highest breast and breast meat yield was observed for the conformation strain. Abdominal fat differed to 42 days but, only among onformation strain. Thickness, width and length of breast fillet were also different, and the conformation strain showed similar values to each other and superior than the conventional strain. There were no differences for meat quality. Sex of the birds affected the performance and carcass yield and parts, but did not affect the breast meat quality.
Study on the prevalence of ectoparasite infestation of ruminanats in and around Kombolcha and damage to fresh goat pelts and wet blue (pickled) skin at Kombolch Tannary, Northestern Ethiopia

An attempt was made to study the prevalence of ectoparasite damage on live cattle, sheep and goats in and around Kombolcha town and on raw goat skin to assess their skin defect on processed wet-blue (pickled) skins at Kombolcha tannery, south wollo zone, North-Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 240 cattle, 175 sheep, 66 goats, were used to study the prevalence of ectoprasites on live animals as well as 344 fresh goat pelts and pickled (wet-blue) goat skins were used to assess skin defects. The result obtained from live cattle demonstrated a high prevalence of Amblyomma (28.33%) followed by Sarcoptes scabiei (23.75%), Boophilus (11.25%) Demodex (9.58%), Psoroptes (0.4 %), respevtively. The prevalence of ectoprasite infestation of live sheep revealed Mellophagus ovinus (sheep ked) (32.57%), Bovicola ovis (22.28%), Amblyomma spp (12.57%), Sarcoptes scabiei (14.28 %), Ctenocephaliedes spp (8.57%), Demodex (6.85%), Linognathus africanus (6.28%) and Boophilus spp (4%). The result from goats demonstrates a high prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei (30.3%) followed by Linognathus stenopsis (9.09%), Amblyomma (4.54%), Ctenocephalides spp (3.03%), Bovicola caprea (1.51%) and Demodex (1.51%) in that order. Result obtained from fresh goats pelts revealed an over all high prevalence of Sacoptes scabie (53.29%) followed by Linognathus stenopsis (9.88%), Bovicola caprae (2.08%) and Demodex (2.08%). Examination of pickled (wet-blue) skins from follow-up skins show a high prevalence of scratch (74.25%) followed by “Ekek” (68.56%), scar (67.06%), processing defect (28.44%). “Ekek” (Typical scatter type cockle) was found to show a significant (P<0.5) association with Sarcoptes scabiei, Linoganthus stenopsis, scratch and diseases scars, indicating the likely multifactor causes and one major skin problems in the study area.
CELL SURVIVAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MOLECULAR RESPONSES OF ANTARCTIC PHYTOPLANKTON TO ULTRAVIOLET‐B RADIATION 1

Twelve species of Antarctic diatoms were studied to assess UV sensitivity in relation to cellular and molecular aspects of DNA damage and repair. Responses of cell survival, induction of DNA damage, and DNA repair capacity were determined. There was a wide range of interspecific UV‐sensitivity among diatoms. D37 values (average fluence to kill one cell) ranged from 681 J · m−2 (most sensitive) to 25,338 J · m−2 (most resistant). Molecular analysis (by radioimmunoassay) of UV‐induced DNA damage [induction of cys‐syn cyclobutane dimers and pyrimidine (6‐4) pyrimidone photoproducts] also revealed considerable variability among species [0.98–84 lesions · (108 daltons DNA)−1 induced by exposure to 2500 J · m−2]. Repair of DNA damage ranged from 0.18 to 2.72 lesions removed · (108 daltons DNA)−1 in 6 h; removal represented 0.72–73.5% of initial damage. Comparison of cellular responses associated with photoenhanced repair and nucleotide excision (“dark”) repair indicated that light‐mediated correction of UV damage was an important factor in cell survival. There was a relationship between the number of photoproducts induced and cell survival, but not between repair efficiency and survival. The data also indicate a general dependence of photoproduct induction and D37 values on cell size and shape (expressed as the surface area: volume ratio which ranged from 0.07 to 0.66 between species) and suggest that these factors are indicators of UV sensitivity. Smaller cells with greater surface area: volume ratios sustained more damage per unit of DNA, had lower D37 values, and were more sensitive to UV exposure. The wide species variations observed in molecular and cellular responses to UV exposure emphasize the ecological implications of changes in natural UV regimes. These changes can act as determinants of cell size and taxonomic structure within phytoplankton communities and have as yet unknown effects on trophic interactions within the Antarctic ecosystem.
The Ecological and Genetic Consequences of Density-Dependent Regulation in Plants

Understanding the mechanisms of population size regulation is of vital importance to both the pure and applied ecologist. Throughout the history of ecology one school of thought has maintained that populations of plants and animals are in some way regulated by "density-dependent factors"i.e. processes that either increase mortality or decrease fecundity as the density of the population increases (133). Thus there would be a densitydependent feedback that holds the population within certain limits. A second school of thought has maintained that "density-independent factors" (e.g. weather conditions or disturbance) are more important in determining population size. Whether populations are regulated by density-dependent or densityindependent factors has been the subject of intensive debate and controversy over the past twenty-five years, especially in the zoological literature (10,
Effect of Habitat Characteristics and Perturbation from Insecticides on the Community Dynamics of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on Mixed-Grass Rangeland

A study was conducted in 1986 and 1987 to determine the relationships between habitat characteristics and perturbation from insecticides on population and community dynamics of ground beetles collected with pitfall traps at 29 mixed-grass rangeland plots in northwestern South Dakota. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and correlation analysis were used to define ecological gradients underlying changes in community structure of ground beetles. Results indicated that spatial changes in ground beetle communities occurred along gradients of percentage of clay, sand, and silt in soils and coverage of bare ground but were not related to vegetation. Twenty of the plots, located in two 1,400-ha blocks, were treated aerially with malathion liquid spray or carbaryl–bran bait in early July 1986. Pitfall trap catches of the dominant species declined significantly in one or both treatment blocks. However, catches rebounded to or above pretreatment levels a year after treatments. Results from DCA and multiple regression analysis of communities sampled in both years indicated that specific habitat characteristics were associated with immediate changes in community structure after perturbation; communities in habitats with high coverage of Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. , low coverage of Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud. , and low clay soils were more resistant to change. Community malleability, or the tendency of communities to return to their predisturbed state, was not affected by treatment and was greater in habitats with high coverage of B. dactyloides and sedges and low coverage of B. gracilis and forbs. These variables are undoubtedly associated with other habitat characteristics as well.
Contribuição ao estudo das atividades antifúngica e elicitora de fitoalexinas em sorgo e soja por eucalipto (Eucalyptus citriodora)

Secondary compounds found in medicinal plants play important role in plant-pathogen interactions by having direct antimicrobian effect on them or inducing the defense mechanisms on defense of other plants. To verify the fungi toxic effect of the eucalyptus on the micelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Phytophthora sp, Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum sublineolum, the crude extract (CE) was incorporate to PDA and the essential oil (EO) and distributed in the surface of the middle with Drigalski loop. Germination of spores of C. sublineolum was also evaluated in the presence of different brackets of EO using two methodologies. In order to verify the induction phytoalexins sorghum mesocotyls were asperged with CE to 20% or then dived in suspensions of EO. For the gliceolin induction, 20 µL of CE were put in cotyledons soybean. The presence of fungitoxic compounds in EO and CE through the thin layer chromatography was also evaluated. The results evidenced inhibition of the fungus micelial growth for concentrations of CE above 20%. All of the aliquots of the oil inhibited micelial growth micelial fungi, except for R. solani whose inhibition happened for aliquots above 20µL. There was inhibition of 100% in conidia germination for all of the aliquots of EO tested in the first methodology. However, in the second methodology EO did not promote inhibition of conidia germination. It was observed the presence of one fraction fungitoxic in EO, and CE did not present fungitoxic fractions. There was the phytoalexins production just in sorghum mesocotyls treated with CE.
Cell‐Wall Composition of Maize Internodes of Varying Maturity

Incorporation of polysaccharides, hydroxycinnamic acids, and lignin were quantified in successive internodes along the maize (Zea mays L.) stalk, which displayed progressively greater cellular development. Rind and pith tissues of growth chamber-grown plants were dissected from internodes at the 15th leaf stage of development and cell-wall neutral sugars, uronic acids, Klason lignin, syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, and ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (PCA) ester and ether concentrations were determined. From the youngest internode (I13) to the oldest (17), cell-wall concentrations increased in rind tissue, whereas in pith tissue concentrations increased through I10, then plateaued. Cell-wall lignin concentrations increased from 75 to 140 g kg⁻¹ and neutral sugar and uronic acid concentrations decreased from 836 and 101 g kg⁻¹ to 759 and 36 g kg⁻¹ cell wall, respectively. Rind vascular tissue, which lignified earlier and to a greater extent than pith tissue, had significantly higher levels of FA and PCA esters. Ferulic acid ester levels rose in younger I13 through I10, peaking at 6.6 g kg⁻¹ cell wall, but declined to 3.6 g kg⁻¹ cell wall in older, lignifying I9 through 17. Ferulic acid ether levels rose and peaked early in lignification, but fell during subsequent maturation. Concentrations of PCA esters rose with internode maturity (from 1.8-23 g kg⁻¹ cell wall) and this pattern mirrored a steady rise in S/G ratio of the lignin. Our results suggest that FA is laid down in ester linkages to primary cell-wall polysaccharides and provides ether-linkage initiation sites for lignin. Joint contribution of the Field Crops Res. Unit, Plant Sci. Res. Unit, and the U.S. Dairy Forage Res. Center of USDA-ARS and Iowa State Univ. Journal Paper no. J-16979.
Long-term vegetation change in the Western and Northern Isles, Scotland

Summary The available palaeoecological evidence for vegetation change in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland is reviewed in the light of hypotheses concerning the status of blanket mire landscapes. All three island groups supported woodland during the early Holocene (11,000–5000 yr ago), with a richer tree flora than today. Blanket mire development began approximately 5000 yr ago, accelerated by the arrival of Neolithic people and grazing animals. It is therefore probably largely anthropogenic in origin. The pattern of vegetation change on Orkney has been different from the other island groups, largely because of the more fertile bedrock there, and consequently different landuse practices.