Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetics of anthracnose panel canker disease resistance and its relationship with yield and growth characters in half-sib progenies of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

Rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell-Arg] anthracnose panel canker disease resistance, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. , and growth and yield characters were assessed at three years old in the nursery, in 18 half-sib progenies. There were highly significant (P < 0.01) genetic differences among progenies for most characters. The genetic component of variance accounted for 3.37, 6.07, 12.74, 12.13, 19.82 and 3.58% of the phenotypic variance for anthracnose-infected area, anthracnose lesion stripe length, yield, girth, virgin bark thickness and total number of latex vessel rings, respectively. Narrow-sense heritability estimates for the above characters were 13.45, 24.30, 50.97, 48.52, 79.30 and 14.30%, respectively. No significant genetic correlations were found among anthracnose panel canker resistance, yield and growth characters. The frequency distribution of anthracnose-infected area and anthracnose lesion stripe length suggests polygenic control. Selecting the best three progenies out of 18 progenies would result in a genetic gain of 12.87 and 24.24% for infected area and lesion stripe length, respectively. The best five selected individuals out of 50 individuals within each progeny would result in a genetic gain of 9.47 and 24.62%, with a total gain of 22.34 and 48.87% for these two characters, respectively.
Biological variation of lipid constituents and distribution of tocopherols and astaxanthin in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The contents of fat, astaxanthin, and tocopherols and the fatty acid composition of a homogeneous group of 145 farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were determined. The analytical variation of the data was stastistically separated from the biological variation. The fat content in the muscle near the head was 15.0% with a biological standard deviation of 3.0%. The astaxanthin concentration was 5.5 mg/kg of muscle with a biological standard deviation of 1.1 mg/kg of muscle, and the canthaxanthin concentration was 200 μg/kg of muscle with a standard deviation of 47 μg/kg of muscle. The concentrations of α-, γ-, and δ- tocopherols were approximately 32, 2.9, and 0.4 mg/kg of muscle, respectively, and the biological standard deviations were 4.5, 0.4, and 0.07 mg/kg (14, 14, and 20%), respectively. In another group of five salmon the distributions throughout the fillet were determined, longitudinally as well as transversally. The distribution of fat, astaxanthin, and tocopherols varied throughout the salmon. Th.
STABILITY AND QUALITY OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED ORANGE SLICES

Osmotic dehydration of orange slices (cv. Valencia Late), by applying a vacuum pulse at mild temperature (30C), and by using different concentrations (35–65°Brix) and two kinds of osmotic agents (sucrose and glucose), was studied in order to obtain stable minimally processed orange slices. Optimal processing conditions were established by modeling process kinetics from compositional changes of the fruit liquid phase related with the product stability, and taking into account the two slice fractions (pulp and peel). Tissue structure, and the kind and concentration of osmotic agent influenced the process kinetics. Faster mass transport was observed in the most porous fraction (peel) and at low osmotic solution concentrations. These results allowed us to define the optimal conditions for ensuring the stability of processed orange slices as 25 min of osmotic treatment in a 45°Brix sucrose solution. Results lead to establish a product shelf life of 13 days, a storage time that almost completely preserves the main quality properties (color, vitamin C and respiration rate) and the product microbial stability. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study is a practical and useful guide for the development of new citrus-based minimally processed (MP) products, which are not only economically viable, but also microbiologically stable and of a high nutritional and physicochemical quality. The proposed process combines vacuum impregnation pretreatments and osmodehydration methods in order to achieve a fast and slight sugar gain in MP orange slices, thus minimizing the requirements of thermal treatments and the addition of chemical preservatives. What is more, this gain of sugars improves the preservation conditions and the sensory properties of the orange peel in the final product, and allows us to take advantage of the interesting health benefits and high nutritional value of the peel fraction.
Liquid loss as effected by Post mortem ultrastructural changes in fish muscle : Cod (Gadus morhua L) and Salmon (Salmo salar)

This study was performed in order to assess the effect of early post mortem structural changes in the muscle upon the liquid-holding capacity of wild cod, net-pen-fed cod (fed cod) and farmed salmon. The liquid-holding capacity was measured by a low speed centrifugation test. Transmission electron microscopy was used to discover ultrastructural changes both in the connective tissue and in the myofibrils. Differential scanning calorimetric thermograms of the muscle proteins were recorded to elucidate whether fundamental differences did exist between the proteins of the raw material tested. Multivariate statistics were used to explicate the main tendencies of variations in the thermograms. The salmon muscle possessed much better liquid-holding properties than the cod muscle, and wild cod better than fed cod regardless of the storage time. Both fed cod and farmed salmon, underwent the most severe structural alterations, probably caused by the low muscle pH values. The higher liquid-holding capacity of the salmon muscle was related to species specific structural features and better stability of the muscle proteins. The myofibrils of the salmon muscle were denser and intra- and extracellular spaces were filled by fat and a granulated material. The differences in thermograms of muscle from wild and fed cod were largely explained by the variations in pH. The severe liquid loss of fed cod is due to a low pH induced denaturation and shrinkage of the myofibrils. Post mortem degradation of the endomysial layer and the sarcolemma may have further facilitated the release of liquid.
Nested species subsets of amphibians and reptiles on Neotropical forest islands

Nested species subsets are a common pattern of community assembly characteristic of many types of fragmented landscapes and insular systems. Here we describe nested subset patterns of amphibian and reptile occupancy on 23 forest islands in north‐eastern Bolivia. We used observed occupancy patterns to differentiate five distributional guilds: widespread species, rare species, poor colonizers, area‐sensitive species and supertramps. Amphibian occurrences were nested along a forest island isolation gradient, and when species from each of the distribution classes were removed from subsequent analyses of nestedness, we found that dispersal‐limited poor colonizers were responsible for the association between nestedness and isolation. Amphibians associated with the grassland matrix at the study site showed a nested pattern linked with area, although this pattern did not scale up to all amphibians and could not be unequivocally attributed to any of the distributional guilds we recognized. There were no strong associations between two biological characteristics, body size and relative abundance in the matrix, and the likelihood of occupancy along either forest island area or isolation gradients. The relative importance of isolation in shaping nested patterns of amphibians on these forest islands may be a result of either (1) the greater range in isolation values included in this study compared with many others; (2) the long time since isolation in this landscape, manifesting a footprint of isolation not apparent in more recently fragmented patches; (3) the relatively homogeneous grassland matrix surrounding forest islands that likely provides little refuge for animals moving among forest islands.
Farmers' knowledge of bees and their natural history in Kakamega district, Kenya

Summary The Kakamega district is endowed with good climatic and soil conditions that have favoured agricultural production, and houses the Kakamega Tropical Rain Forest, the only remaining patch of the easternmost end of the Congo Forest. In efforts to halt its fragmentation and to salvage the remaining fragments, studies are being undertaken to convince farmers of the importance of conservation. This study considers bees and their pollinating importance in the livelihood of farmers, in order to understand the level of knowledge local farmers have about bees, and their role in crop production. A questionnaire was sent in January and February 2006 to representatives of 352 households randomly selected from 19,972 households living around the forest. Respondents were shown pictures and specimens of different insects, and after correct identification, were asked to state the food sources and nesting sites of these bees. They were asked to state how they utilize these bees and about their willingness to conserve them as pollinators. We found that Kakamega farmers could identify bees of different species, and had some knowledge of bee floral and nesting needs. Only about 50% were, however, aware of pollination and could relate it to crop productivity, but after having been introduced to the importance of bee pollination in crop production, they showed willingness to conserve bees for such purposes.
Secondary Metabolites Produced by a Strain of Fusarium oxysporum Used for Striga Control in West Africa

The production of fusaric acid and other toxins by a strain of Fusarium oxysporum used for control of the weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. was investigated. Culturing of the strain under optimal conditions for toxin production produced small amounts of fusaric acid and dehydrofusaric acid but no other toxins reported to be produced by some strains of F. oxysporum. Culturing of the fungus under conditions similar to those that would be used in the field produced no detectable toxins of concern for human health.
Elimination of Wolbachia from Urolepis rufipes (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) with Heat and Antibiotic Treatments: Implications for Host Reproduction

Molecular analyses using ftsZ and wsp primers identified infections of type-A Wolbachia bacteria in populations of Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a potential biocontrol agent for pest flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in livestock confinements. Incidence of infections ranged from 10 to 45% for three field populations and 100% in a laboratory colony. Provision of adult wasps with sugar water containing 50 μg mL–1 tetracycline hydrochloride, or continuous rearing at 34±0.5°C eliminated Wolbachia from experimental populations after four and six generations, respectively. Results were similar for experimental crosses between infected parents, between uninfected parents, and between infected female and uninfected male parents. Embryonic mortality was less than 5% for the F1 generation, which had an adult sex ratio of 2♀:1♂. In contrast, experimental crosses between uninfected female and infected male parents were associated with an embryonic mortality of about 20% and produced 37% fewer F1 adults. However, because of an F1 sex ratio of almost 0♀:1♂,? this latter cross produced an overall higher number of F1 males. These combined results reflect elements of both male development (MD) type cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and female mortality (FM) type CI Wolbachia. MD type CI Wolbachia in incompatible crosses causes haploidization of fertilized (i.e., female) eggs. The resultant haploid eggs develop into males so that more males are produced in incompatible versus compatible crosses. FM type CI produces fewer offspring and a male-biased F1 generation caused by enhanced mortality of female embryos. We speculate that the fate of fertilized eggs - haploidization versus mortality - may reflect differences in bacterial densities.
The application of a model to achieve predicted mortality in a field trial using Bacillus thuringiensis to control Heliothis punctiger

The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Thuricide® HPSC WP) was tested against larvae of Heliothis punctiger Wallengren on seed lucerne in a 4 × 4 latin square field trial. Application rates corresponded to 1120, 560 and 112 g/ha. While larval numbers in the control plots increased for 4 days after application, numbers were suppressed in the three treatments. The effect of the two higher rates was similar – mortality in those plots was 69% and 71% respectively on Day 4. Large larvae appeared to be suppressed to the same extent as younger instars.
Seed dynamics and seedling establishment in the invading perennial Solidago altissima under different experimental treatments

1 Population increases in Solidago altissima, an aggressive invader in central Europe, can be due to clonal growth by rhizomes or sexual reproduction by seeds. We studied transitions between different reproductive stages, to assess the potential of S. altissima to colonize new habitats by seed, and the influence of annual mowing on the dynamics of seeds and juvenile plants.
Alteration of lipid membrane rigidity by cholesterol and its metabolic precursors

Caused by biosynthesis defects, cholesterol deficiency can lead to developmental disorders and malformations, with possible implication of lipid membrane properties. We show that modification of sterol chemical structure alters membrane physical properties significantly. By X-ray diffraction and osmotic stress, we measure changes in the bending rigidity of bilayers containing either cholesterol or one of its metabolic precursors. Membrane elasticity differs dramatically between slightly different sterols and varies in the sequence lanosterol < 7-dehydrocholesterol < lathosterol < cholesterol. We interpret the results in terms of sterol location within lipid structures and modification of lateral stress, a structural feature relevant to interactions within biological membranes. We find that cholesterol is most efficient in enhancing membrane rigidity, a possible clue to why depletion or replacement with other sterols can affect cellular structures.
Breeding ecology of the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus in northeast Algeria

Capsule This is the first study of the reproductive ecology of the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus in North Africa. During the study period, clutch size exhibited a sharp drop concurrent with a steady human encroachment and 30% habitat loss. Aim To investigate the status, nest-site selection, breeding parameters, chick development and chick diet of Little Bittern in Algeria, under deteriorating habitat conditions Methods Data were collected during surveys of all major Algerian wetlands (2002–08) and monitoring of breeding at Boussedra, a freshwater marsh in northeast Algeria, during the years 2005 and 2008. Results Egg-laying spanned the period of 10 May to 30 June with one recorded case of a double brood in early July (n = 30). The mean clutch size in 2005 was 6.2 ± 0.4 sd eggs per nest (n = 6 clutches), which was significantly higher than that of 2008, which amounted to 4.3 ± 0.5 sd eggs per nest (n = 6 clutches), and this decline was associated with increased disturbance and loss of habitat. Overall, clutches suffered from a low rate of predation (17.6%) and displayed a high hatching rate (85.7%). Conclusion Breeding parameters of the Little Bittern in North Africa are similar to elsewhere in Europe.
Environmental Dependency of Inbreeding Depression: Implications for Conservation Biology

Inbreeding depression is environmentally dependent, such that a population may suffer from inbreeding depression in one environment but not another. We examined the phenotypic responses of 35 inbred (F = 0.672) lineages of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum in two different climatic environments. We found a significant environmental effect on males but not females. More important, we found that the rank fitness order of lineages differs between environments; lineages of high fitness in one environment may have low fitness in another environment. This change in rank is evident in a significant genotype-by-environment interaction for inbreeding depression for both females and males. These results suggest that even if we know the average environmental effect of inbreeding depression in a population, for any particular lineage measurements of inbreeding depression in one environment may not predict the level of inbreeding depression in another environment. Conservation biologists need to be aware of the environmental dependency of inbreeding depression when planning wildlife refuges or captive propagation programs for small populations. Ideally, captive propagation programs should maintain separate lineages for release efforts. Refuge design programs should consider maintaining a range of habitat types.
Relationships between selenium, micronutrients, carbohydrates, and alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus roseus cells

Abstract When a culture media contained sulfur (S) or was partially depleted in S or selenium (Se) was added, the Catharanthus roseus cells had the same biomass during the stationary phase of growth. The medium partially depleted in sulfate did not change the S content of cells suggesting that they did not completely remove S from the culture medium. The addition of selenite or selenate increased zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) accumulation but did not modify the levels of S, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), or aluminum (Al). In the partially S‐deficient medium, both the carbohydrate content and alkaloid accumulation were decreased. Selenium feeding restored or enhanced the capacity of cells to accumulate these compounds. The effects were dependent on the form and the quantity of Se added to the culture medium. Selenate was found less effective than selenite.
A Mathematical Model of Coevolving Populations

We present a general model for coevolution of two interacting populations which we believe can serve as a framework for theoretical investigations in this area. The model describes coevolution of two competitors, exploiter and victim. or two mutualistic species. The conditions on the parameters of the model which are required for local stability of various equilibria are derived. In order to simplify analysis the stability conditions are separated into those which are independent of the nature of the time response of the system (intrinsic conditions) and those which depend on the time response. For the most part, only intrinsic conditions are discussed. Because of the nature of the model the results of our analysis are stated only in general terms. Much of their significance will depend on the particular coevolutionary systems being analyzed. The results of our analysis indicate that coevolution may result in stable coexistence of two populations even when the stability conditions derived from generalized versions of the Lotka-Volterra equations are violated; that coevolution may also destabilize what appears to be a stable interaction between populations; and that coevolution may result in stable disruptive selection regimes. Local stability has been the focus of this paper, but the local instability, say, of polymorphic equilibria does not exclude the possibility of time-dependent polymorphic solutions. We shall discuss such solutions in further detail in a subsequent paper.
Experimental trampling of vegetation. II: Predictors of resistance and resilience

1. Experimental trampling was conducted in 18 vegetation types in five separate mountain regions in the United States. Each type was trampled 0-500 times and vegetation response was assessed 2 weeks and 1 year after trampling. 2. The response of vegetation to trampling is expressed in terms of three indices: resistance, tolerance and resilience. Resistance and tolerance are determined from the vegetation surviving 2 weeks and 1 year after trampling. respectively. Resilience compares the change over the remainder of the year with that during the first 2 weeks after trampling. 3. Plant morphological characteristics explained more of the variation in response to trampling than the site characteristics that were assessed: altitude, overstorey canopy cover or total groundlayer vegetation cover. 4. Resistance was primarily a function of vegetation stature, erectness and whether plants were graminoids, forbs or shrubs. The most resistant plants were caespitose or matted graminoids; the least resistant plants were erect forbs. 5. Resilience was primarily a function of whether plants were chamaephytes, with perennating buds located above the ground surface. Chamaephytes were much less resilient than other plants. 6. Tolerance, which measures the ability of vegetation to withstand a cycle of disturbance and recovery, was correlated more with resilience than resistance. Consequently, the least tolerant plants were the chamaephytes. The most tolerant plants were caespitose, matted and rosette hemicryptophytes, and geophytes. 7. The resistance and resilience of individual species were negatively correlated, particularly for chamaephytes and graminoids. For herbaceous species with perennating tissues located at or below ground level, tolerance was more highly correlated with resilience than with resistance. For chamaephytes, tolerance was more highly correlated with resistance.
Genetic Variation in Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt‐Davy

Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy (African bermudagrass) is used as a turfgrass and in interspecific hybridization to produce turfgrass cultivars. Information is lacking on the magnitude of intraspecific genetic variation for traits related to turfgrass performance. A Design II mating population comprised of 320 F 1 plants (4 parental sets, 16 crosses set -1 , 5 F 1 hybrids cross"1) was used to estimate genetic parameters for 21 traits. The F 1 plants were evaluated in replicated field (13 traits) and greenhouse (8 traits) experiments in Stillwater, OK during 2002-2003. Genetic variation was detected for 17 of the 21 traits as indicated by significant (P < 0.05) differences among families within sets. Both additive and dominance genetic effects were detected for most of the 17 traits, but dominance effects usually prevailed over additive effects. Broad sense heritability estimates varied from 0.42 to 0.96. Population improvement via recurrent selection techniques would be possible but difficult as indicated by low levels of additive genetic variation for genetic color, raceme number, seed number, and percent seed set. Dominance effects might be exploited to select clonally propagated F 1 hybrid cultivars with enhanced sensor-rated color, density, turf quality, spring greenup, fall dormancy, percent living cover, raceme number, raceme length, number of florets per inflorescence, plant height, stolon length, number of internodes, internode length, and leaf length.