Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of Olive Cultivars Using RAPD Markers

Forty olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars from Valencia, Spain, were screened using random amplified- polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Eighteen selected decamer primers produced 34 reproducible amplification fragments that were then used as polymorphic markers. The resulting combinations of these RAPD markers were used to discriminate 40 cultivars. Results were analyzed for similarity among cultivars and the relatedness of polymorphisms obtained between cultivars agreed with previous results using isozymes. Unweighted pair group method cluster analysis of their similarity values revealed two main groups divided according to geographic origin within Valencia. A third group, which included two Spanish cultivars from regions outside of Valencia, was clustered separately from the Valencian cultivars. RAPD technology proved useful in discriminating closely related cultivars. There was no apparent clustering of cultivars by fruit size or other morphological traits. Introduction of DNA-based markers has provided a large number of markers independent of environmental influences and are suitable for genetic typing at very early stages of develop- ment. Among the different markers, the simplicity of laboratory assays for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) mark- ers (Williams et al., 1990), make them an attractive method for fingerprinting genotypes. This technique is already used for cultivar identification of commercial germplasm and protecting plant patents (Baird et al., 1996). In olive, RAPD markers have been used by Fabbri et al. (1995) and Wiesman et al. (1998). The present study reports use of RAPD markers for identifica- tion of 40 closely related olive cultivars native to Valencia. Our objective was to provide markers that can identify all prominent cultivars, test their efficiency in discriminating closely related cultivars, and evaluate future RAPD marker applications for maintenance of olive germplasm.
A new framework for inferring community assembly processes using phylogenetic information, relevant traits and environmental gradients

‡ Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America § Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America | Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil ¶ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil # Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States of America ¤ Instituo de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile « Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile » Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Santiago, Chile ˄ Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
Physiological comparison of root trainer and polybag plants of Hevea brasiliensis

The physiology of root trainer plants in comparison to polybag plants of two popular Hevea clones, RRII 105 and RRII 430 was studied. Dry matter partitioning and physiological parameters like leaf water potential, relative water content, chlorophyll content, PS II activity and photosynthetic efficiency were studied in root trainer and polybag plants and compared. Root trainer plants had only 55 per cent less biomass than polybag plants at two whorled stage. No variation was noticed in water relations among the poly bag and root trainer plants. Total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b ratio were higher in polybag plants than root trainer plants of both clones. Polybag plants showed higher light saturation point when gas exchange was measured at different photosynthetic photon flux densities. Though there was no variation in effective quantum yield (Φ PSII), the root trainer plants of RRII 105 showed more excess electrons (J*) at higher light intensities. Photosystem II activity and photosynthetic carbon assimilation rates were less in root trainer plants under open and shaded conditions. The results indicated that the root confinement in root trainer plants has significant effect on the physiology of plants. The reduction in plant biomass and other physiological traits in root trainer plants can be attributed to the limited space in the container, limiting further root growth, which otherwise is beneficial for giving a priming effect as long as the plant remains in the container. Further studies are needed to quantify this ‘stress factor’ in root trainer plants and its implications in growth and establishment of plants in the field.
Determination of allelochemicals in spring cereal cultivars of different competitiveness

Competitive cereal cultivars are less susceptible than others to weed interference. Their characterization may provide selection criteria that can be used as guidelines to develop new, even more competitive cultivars. Root exudates are a potential means by which competitive cultivars reduce weed growth. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of cereal root exudates on Brassica kaber (DC.) L. C. Wheeler growth, to isolate and characterize the allelochemical compounds released by spring cereal cultivars, and to determine if a relation exists between these allelochemicals and cultivar competitiveness. Highly competitive (HC) and lesser competitive (LC) cultivars of four crop kinds (Triticum aestivum L. [wheat], Avena sativa L. [wild oat], two- and six-rowed Hordeum vulgare L. [barley]) were selected based on previous work. Exudates from undisturbed root systems of B. kaber and cereals were collected and used in a bioassay test with B. kaber. Root exudates were analyzed for 16 common phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Bioassays indicated that cereal exudates had no negative effect on B. kaber germination, but all concentrations of cereal root exudates inhibited B. kaber root and hypocotyl growth. As cereal root exudate concentration increased, B. kaber growth decreased. For each crop kind, B. kaber growth inhibition was greater with HC cultivars than with LC cultivars. The root exudates of all crop kinds and cultivars contained benzoic, caffeic, ferulic, o-coumaric, and vanillic acids as well as scopoletin. Para-hydroxybenzoic acid was found in exudates from T. aestivum, A. sativa, and two-rowed H. vulgare cultivars. Para-coumaric acid was not identified in root exudates from LC H. vulgare cultivars. Gentisic acid was produced by A. sativa and H. vulgare. Vanillic and o-coumaric acids along with scopoletin may be responsible for the allelopathic effects of H. vulgare, T. aestivum, and A. sativa cultivars. These three compounds may be useful as possible indicators of allelopathic potential of genotypes under development and thus considered for use in breeding programs.
Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression in Linseed

Five improved varieties of linseed namely, Meera, Shekhar, T-397, KL - 221 and JLS -9 were crossed to obtain six F 1 s and F 1 s were selfed to get F 2 s. The estimates of heterosis revealed that none of the cross exhibited significant heterosis for all the characters over mid parent, better parent and check variety. The degree and direction of heterotic response varied not only from character to character but also from cross to cross. In general, considerable amount of significant desirable heterosis over mid parent, better parent and check variety were observed for few characters under study. Inbreeding depression in F 2 generation was estimated for all the characters and it was observed positively significant for seed yield per plant, stearic acid content, oleic acid content, linolenic acid content, linoleic acid content, palmitic acid content, primary branches per plant, capsule diameter, number of capsules per plant revealed significant positive inbreeding depression indicating detoriation in their performance in next generation.
Mechanistic and temporal characterisation of alkyladenine DNA glycosylase-mediated cell death

DNA damage results from exposure to endogenous and environmental genotoxic agents such as alkylating agents. Base excision repair (BER) is a DNA repair process initiated by DNA glycosylases acting on DNA base damage. An example of such DNA glycosylases acting on alkylation base damage is the alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG). AAG activity on alkylated DNA bases initiates BER and generates abasic sites (AP sites), which are further processed to form single strand breaks (SSBs). If left unrepaired, these BER intermediates are very toxic to the cell. Since BER is a multistep repair process, any imbalance in the pathway can lead to accumulation of these toxic intermediates and potentially trigger cell death via a mechanism postulated to involve hyperactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). PARP uses energy in the form of NAD+ for the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymers and therefore PARP hyperactivation may result in bioenergetics failure. This study characterised the BER pathway initiated by AAG and analysed cellular response to alkylation by using AAG proficient and deficient cells. The temporal changes in BER intermediate incidence were characterised. In addition, PAR synthesis and cellular levels of NAD+ and ATP as well as cell death were measured and the temporal changes were characterised. Moreover, the effects of alkylation treatment on cell cycle progression were investigated. The results show that the kinetics and magnitude of BER intermediate formation is similar in AAG proficient versus AAG deficient cells. Meanwhile, there were clear differences between these two genotypes in terms of PAR synthesis, bioenergetics, cell viability and cell cycle. This study shows that the processing of alkylated bases and formation of BER intermediates is rapid and concomitant with an increase in PAR synthesis. Importantly, this increase in PAR synthesis is only observed in AAG proficient cells suggesting that AAG activity is necessary for PAR polymer formation after SSB induction.
Genetic diversity at chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) and geographic structure in endangered West Mediterranean firs (Abies spp., Pinaceae)

We investigated patterns of genetic variation within and among the eight extant populations of the genus Abies in the western Mediterranean Basin. Using six chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) loci, a total of 22 alleles and 34 haplotypes was found among 225 individuals. The analyzed populations showed high levels of genetic diversity (mean H e = 0.84). Two clearly separated main groups corresponding to the three Spanish and the five Moroccan populations, respectively, were distinguished. A phylogeographic signal was evident and a Mantel test revealed a strong positive correlation between geographic and genetic distances of the eight populations. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) assigned 85% of the total genetic variation to differences between continents. Within each continent, populations were remarkably little differentiated with the exception of one highly divergent Moroccan stand; the origin of this divergence requires further investigation. Our results document a strong effect of the Strait of Gibraltar on Abies differentiation in this region, whereas the high diversity within and the low differentiation among populations on each side point to a certain level of pollen-mediated gene flow among the extant stands. On the other hand, our analysis indicates that the population formerly assigned to the species A. tazaotana is, in fact, genetically very close to most A marocana stands. We discuss implications of the observed population structures for conservation and management of West Mediterranean Abies taxa.
The relationship between vertical root-pulling resistance and nitrogen uptake and utilization in maize breeding lines

Poor soil fertility and in particular low nitrogen level is a major constraint to maize production in the West African savanna. The development of maize cultivars with improved rooting system more efficient in absorbing as much nitrogen as possible from the soil and to give optimum yields even at low N levels is therefore desirable. However, direct measurement of root characteristics for rapid selection of maize lines having tolerance to low N stress is difficult. Vertical root-pulling resistance has been shown to relate well to the rooting characteristics of the maize plant and could be an important secondary and easy-to-measure trait for improving the efficiency of selection of maize lines for tolerance to low-N stress. Results of evaluations in 2000 and 2001 to determine the root-pulling resistance, yield, N-uptake and N-use efficiency of 18 S 1 lines derived from a low-N tolerant maize population and 2 inbred lines revealed significant differences in vertical root-pulling resistance, N-uptake, N-use efficiency and grain yield. Root-pulling resistance was positively correlated with N-uptake (r = 0.68) and grain yield (r = 0. 71). However, some S 1 lines with high grain yield also had low root-pulling resistance. Factors, such as high number of ears per plant and high N-utilization efficiency, accounted for the yield increases. In view of the magnitude of the variation between S 1 lines in root-pulling resistance and the positive correlation of this trait with N-uptake, it could be used to select among maize breeding lines with improved rooting system and high N uptake efficiency. N-utilization efficiency in the breeding lines was independent of the magnitude of the vertical root-pulling resistance. The implication is that breeding lines should be selected on the basis of both high vertical root-pulling resistance and utilization efficiency in the effort to breed genotypes with tolerance to low-N stress.
In vitro plantlet regeneration from juvenile and mature Quercus robur, L.

SummaryShoot cultures of Quercus robur have been established and multiplied in vitro using original material from both juvenile seedlings and mature trees. The juvenile explants were embryos and shoot apices from 3–4-month-old seedlings. Shoot tips from the new growth of stump sprouts were used to establish initial cultures of mature trees. Of the various macronutrient formulae tried, the most satisfactory were Heller’s medium with 1 mM of (NH4)2SO4, and Gresshoff and Doy’s. A dose of 6-benzylaminopurine at 1 mg l−1 was used in initial cultures and at 0.1 mg l−1 in shoot multiplication cultures. A rooting rate of 83% was achieved with juvenile material and 63% with adult material by briefly dipping the basal ends of shoots regenerated in vitro in concentrated solutions of IBA.
The Effect of Temperature and Clutch Size on the Energetic Cost of Incubation in a Free-Living Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)

-The energetic cost of incubation of a free-living Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) female was studied during two breeding seasons by measuring the rate of oxygen consumption in a nest box converted into a metabolic chamber. Like its congeners, only the female Blue Tit incubates and during that time is fed by the male. Just before and during the egg-laying period the female spends the night in the nest. Because of the progressive development of incubation behavior during this period, it is possible to measure the oxygen-consumption rate of a nonincubating female (resting metabolism) and to compare it with values obtained later when the bird is incubating a full clutch under otherwise similar conditions. The air temperature in the metabolic chamber was regulated experimentally. The results show that the energy cost of incubation is relatively important below the lower critical temperature (about 15? C). With a fall in the air temperature, energy expenditure increased in relation to that of the resting metabolism. The energy cost of incubation also increased with clutch size, by about 6-7% for each additional egg. At air temperatures around 0? C, which are frequent under natural conditions in Fennoscandia, the female must increase her metabolic rate by 50-90% to keep the eggs in a normal-size clutch (10-13 eggs) warm. During the last days of incubation we accounted for the metabolism of the embryos, which on the day before hatching contributed about 15% of the total oxygen consumption when the female was incubating a clutch of 13 eggs. Received 30 May 1984, accepted 16 November 1984. THE evaluation of the energy cost of incubation by birds has been a subject of some controversy (e.g. Vleck 1981, Walsberg 1983). Based on heat-flow models, Walsberg and King (1978a, b) claimed that the resting metabolism of three passerine species, the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), and the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), averaged about 15-18% less than that of nonincubating birds. Biebach (1979) and Vleck (1981) found from measurements of the rate of oxygen consumption in the Zebra Finch (Poephila guttata) and the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) that the metabolic rate of the female while incubating was 20-30% greater than that of nonincubating birds. Mertens (1980) estimated the energy requirement by measuring the heat loss from a Great Tit's (Parus major) nest and found that a considerable energy expenditure was involved in incubating. Using heat-flux disks mounted in the walls of a nest box occupied by a female Great Tit, Mertens concluded that the heat loss during incubation, at an air temperature of 8? C, was roughly 3 times greater than the heat loss incurred at the resting metabolic rate of a non-
Diversity patterns of fish assemblages in the Lower Ntem River Basin (Cameroon), with notes on potential effects of deforestation

As part of an ongoing project on freshwater fish diversity and conservation of the Lower Ntem River Basin, a synecological study of fish assemblages was undertaken. Two different techniques were used to depict the structural and functional patterns of these fish assemblages: Canonical Correspondence Analysis, an appropriate ordination technique designed for finding the correspondence between physical factors in the environment and biotic factors in the communities, and cluster analysis. Results obtained show a change in both species richness and species composition along the longitudinal gradient. Upstream sites were characterized by a pattern of species addition, while intermediate and downstream sites showed a pattern of species loss and replacement. Measurements of habitat diversity revealed that opposite to depth variability, substrate diversity did not significantly increase downstream. The functional pattern of these fish assemblages almost conformed to the prediction of the River Continuum Concept, with an exception that species richness of invertivores did not increase significantly downstream. A model comprising catchment area, mean % canopy closure, substrate types and chemical variables accounted for 51% of the variation in community composition. Partial variance explained by forward selected environmental variables highlighted amongst others the importance of the bankside cover (mean % canopy closure) in the model. This statistical insight provide further evidence of the role played by this variable in the structure and function of stream fish communities. With regard to the ongoing deforestation in this area, the implications of these findings for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity are discussed.
Heat production and evaporative water loss of dune larks from the Namib Desert

Dune Larks Miafra erythrocephalus are the only permanent residents living in the Namib Sand Sea, one of the driest regions on earth. For Dune Larks with an average body mass of 27.3 F 1.8 g (n = 12), basal metabolic rate (BMR) equaled 36.0 kJ day-', a value near allometric predictions. Hence, I found no evidence that these birds have a reduced BMR. I sug- gest that because they live in a relatively cool cnvi- ronment in winter, which mandates significant meta- bolic machinery for thermogenesis, larks have an el- evated BMR at this time. Below 3O"C, total evapora- tive water loss (TEWL) varied little with ambient temperature (T,), and averaged 66.0 mg H,O hrr', or 1.58 g day-'. The latter value was 21-44% lower than allometric predictions, supporting the idea that larks have a reduced TEWL, attributable, perhaps, to re- duced cutaneous water loss. Metabolic water produc- tion may play a significant role in the water economy of larks in view of the fact that evaporative water loss- es are replaced at T,s below 17.O"C.
YEARLY AND SITUATIONAL CHANGES IN THE ESTIMATE OF REPERTOIRE SIZE IN NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS MIMUS-POLYGLOTTOS

AI•STRACT. --The singing behavior of 4 male Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) was studied during 1980 and 1981. Over 10,000 song bouts (repetition of a particular song type) were analyzed spectrographically. Between 102 and 412 distinct song types were identified for each male in a given year. Many of these song types (25.8-57.4%) occurred only once in this sample of singing behavior. Repertoire size was estimated by fitting an exponential curve to a cumulative plot of distinct song types as a function of consecutive bouts sampled. The resulting asymptote was the estimate of repertoire size. Sequences of at least 50 consecutive bouts were used in estimating repertoire size. The technique of using consecutive bouts was required because of the high proportion of rare song types. Several estimates were made for each male and resulted in mean repertoire size estimates of 100200 song types for the four males. Long sequences (125-150 bouts) of consecutive bouts are preferred to estimate repertoire size accurately. In addition, the social situation in which the singing behavior occurred can alter significantly the estimate of repertoire size. For example, estimates produced from singing during patrolling or countersinging were smaller than estimates generated from singing while associating with a female. The repertoire size estimate increased between 1980 and 1981 for 3 of 4 males. The one male not showing an increase spent much time patrolling and interacting with neighboring males before dying early in 1981. These results are consistent with the impression that repertoire size increases with age. Received 3 April 1986, accepted 4 October 1986.
Utilizing Error Analysis in Teaching Practice: Is It Meaningful?

: Studies on error in language learning have been largely researched but utilizing error analysis in teacher education remains a question. The present study aims at investigating the use of errors in prospective teacher’s spoken language to enhance their subject matter competence. Involving 13 prospective English language teachers of a public teacher education institution, the data were collected by teaching observation and interviews and were analysed by content analysis under three barriers dimensions proposed by Yang and Carless (2013). The findings indicate that all prospective teachers committed errors. The errors made are among others grammatical, pronunciation, and vocabulary errors, and code switch. The errors made can be categorized as errors and mistakes. Those errors are due to their limited knowledge and lack of practice. The prospective teachers can immediately correct their errors when feedback is provided by their supervisors. The findings suggest that it is necessary for teacher education institutions to provide and train their prospective teachers fundamental trainings and practice on subject matter. These trainings and practices may reduce the prospective teachers’ anxiety and in implementing their mastery of subject matter. There is highly recommended to provide sufficient feedback provision that serve dialogicity, meaningfulness, and timeliness and insights.