Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effects of plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria and Rhizobium on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in conjuction with efficient Rhizobium, can affect the growth and nitrogen fixation in pigeonpea by inducing the occupancy of introduced Rhizobium in the nodules of the legume. This study assessed the effect of different plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum,Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus cereus) on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Milsp. ) cv. P‐921 inoculated with Rhizobium sp. (AR‐2–2 k). A glasshouse experiment was carried out with a sandy‐loam soil in which the seeds were treated with Rhizobium alone or in combination with several PGPR isolates. It was monitored on the basis of nodulation, N2 fixation, shoot biomass, total N content in shoot and legume grain yield. The competitive ability of the introduced Rhizobium strain was assessed by calculating nodule occupancy. The PGPR isolates used did not antagonize the introduced Rhizobium strain and the dual inoculation with either Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens or Bacillus cereus resulted in a significant increase in plant growth, nodulation and enzyme activity over Rhizobium‐inoculated and uninoculated control plants. The nodule occupancy of the introduced Rhizobium strain increased from 50% (with Rhizobium alone) to 85% in the presence of Pseudomonas putida. This study enabled us to select an ideal combination of efficient Rhizobium strain and PGPR for pigeonpea grown in the semiarid tropics.
Conditional expression of HIV-1 Tat in the mouse alters the onset and progression of tonic, inflammatory, and neuropathic hypersensitivity in a sex-dependent manner.

At least one third of HIV-1-afflicted individuals experience peripheral neuropathy. Although the underlying mechanisms are not known, they may involve neurotoxic HIV-1 proteins. We assessed the influence of the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein, Tat, on inflammatory and neuropathic nociceptive behaviors using transgenic male and female transgenic mice that conditionally expressed (or did not express) HIV-1 Tat1-86 in glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing glia in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Tat induction significantly attenuated the time spent paw-licking following formalin injection (2.5%, i.pl.) in both male and female mice. However, significant sex differences were observed in the onset and magnitude of inflammation and sensory sensitivity following complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection (10%, i.pl.) after Tat activation. Unlike female mice, males showed a significant attenuation of paw swelling and an absence of mechanical/thermal hypersensitivity in response to CFA after Tat induction. Male Tat(+) mice also showed accelerated recovery from chronic constrictive nerve injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity compared to female Tat(+) mice. Morphine (3.2 mg/kg) fully reversed CCI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in female Tat(-) mice, but not in Tat(+) females. The ability of Tat to decrease edema, paw swelling, and limit allodynia suggest a sequela of events in which Tat-induced functional deficits precede the onset of mechanical hypersensitivity. Moreover, HIV-1 Tat attenuated responses to inflammatory and neuropathic insults in a sex-dependent manner. HIV-1 Tat appears to directly contribute to HIV sensory neuropathy and reveals sex differences in HIV responsiveness and/or the underlying peripheral neuroinflammatory and nociceptive mechanisms.
Plasma levels of soluble HLA‐G and cytokines in papillary thyroid carcinoma before and after thyroidectomy

Increasing evidence shows that chronic inflammation plays an important role in thyroid tumorigenesis. Cytokines as central mediators in inflammatory microenvironment can present both pro‐tumour and anti‐tumour effects and cytokine release may be influenced by soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G), an immune checkpoint molecule whose expression can also be induced by certain cytokines.
A unified model of species immigration, extinction and abundance on islands

MacArthur and Wilson's theory of island biogeography was revolutionary, and also inspired the more recent unified neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography. The unified neutral theory has the potential to make predictions about island biogeography that are not well studied. Here we aim to unify the two theories by using an ecological neutral model to study immigration and extinction rates on islands – the cornerstone of MacArthur and Wilson's theory.
Predicting Emergence of 23 Summer Annual Weed Species

Abstract First- and second-year seedbank emergence of 23 summer annual weed species common to U.S. corn production systems was studied. Field experiments were conducted between 1996 and 1999 at the Iowa State University Johnson Farm in Story County, Iowa. In the fall of 1996 and again in 1997, 1,000 seeds for most species were planted in plastic crates. Seedling emergence was counted weekly for a 2-yr period following seed burial (starting in early spring). Soil temperature at 2 cm depth was estimated using soil temperature and moisture model software (STM2). The Weibull function was fit to cumulative emergence (%) on cumulative thermal time (TT), hydrothermal time (HTT), and day of year (DOY). To identify optimum base temperature (Tbase) and base matric potential (&psgr;base) for calculating TT or HTT, Tbase and &psgr;base values ranging from 2 to 17 C and −33 to −1,500 kPa, respectively, were evaluated for each species. The search for the optimal model for each species was based on the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), whereas an extra penalty cost was added to HTT models. In general, fewer seedlings emerged during the first year of the first experimental run (approximately 18% across all species) than during the second experimental run (approximately 30%). However, second-year seedbank emergence was similar for both experimental runs (approximately 6%). Environmental effects may be the cause of differences in total seedling emergence among years. Based on the AIC criterion, for 17 species, the best fit of the model occurred using Tbase ranging from 2 to 15 C with four species also responding to &psgr;base = −750 kPa. For six species, a simple model using DOY resulted in the best fit. Adding penalty costs to AIC calculation allowed us to compare TT and HTT when both models behaved similarly. Using a constant Tbase, species were plotted and classified as early-, middle-, and late-emerging species, resulting in a practical tool for forecasting time of emergence. The results of this research provide robust information on the prediction of the time of summer annual weed emergence, which can be used to schedule weed and crop management.
COVID‐19 pandemic and Zagreb earthquakes as stressors in patients with temporomandibular disorders

Abstract Objective To evaluate stress effect of COVID‐19 pandemic and Zagreb earthquakes on symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Materials and Methods One hundred and two previously diagnosed TMD patients were contacted by email to participate in an online survey about impact of those events on current and/or new symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety and symptom intensity in time‐points at the baseline, following pandemic and following earthquake. We compared data between earthquake‐affected and non‐affected respondents. Results Response rate was 79.4%. Effects stress had on deterioration of symptoms were significantly different between earthquake‐affected and non‐affected (p = .024). In earthquake‐affected, numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores significantly increased between baseline and after COVID‐19 (p > .001) and between baseline and after earthquakes (p > .05). However, scores insignificantly dropped from COVID‐19 to after earthquakes time‐points. In earthquake‐affected, positive correlation was found between impact of COVID‐19 on stress and NPRS (p < .001) and between earthquakes’ impact on stress and NPRS (p < .001). Earthquake‐affected respondents reported significantly more new behavioral habits when compared to non‐affected (p = .048). Conclusions A series of stressful events do not necessarily have a cumulative effect, but are likely to have a complex interaction (e.g., acute stress might trigger the protective mechanisms), which could have decreased pain scores after the earthquakes.
Tissue localization of β‐glucosidase in rye, maize and wheat seedlings

The localization of β-glucosidase was determined at the tissue level in roots and shoots of rye, wheat and maize seedlings, using an immunohistochemical approach with antibodies directed against purified maize β-glucosidase as the primary antibody. In the roots, the β-glucosidase was found in the epidermis and the underlying cell layer. In the leaves, staining was seen in the epidermis (rye and wheat) and nearby vascular tissue (rye, wheat and maize). In all 3 species, β-glucosidase activity was highest in the coleoptile. Here the enzyme was restricted to the epidermis in wheat and to cells near the vascular tissue in maize, but was found in the whole tissue, except the vascular tissue, in rye. Maize, wheat and rye all contain hydroxamic acid glucosides, and results are discussed in relation to a proposed role of β-glucosidase as part of a defense system releasing hydroxamic acid aglucone upon herbivore attack, pathogen penetration or aphid infestation.
Effects of host (Boettcherisca peregrina) copper exposure on development, reproduction and vitellogenesis of the ectoparasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis

Effects of copper (Cu) accumulation by the flesh fly Boettcherisca peregrina (R.‐D.) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were investigated experimentally by exposing host larvae to contaminated diets with final Cu concentrations of 400 μg/g and 800 μg/g diet fresh weight (DFW), respectively. Results showed that Cu can be transferred along food chains to secondary consumers (parasitoids) in small amounts, resulting in negative effects on parasitoid growth and development (body weight and developmental duration) as well as fecundity (number of offspring per female). Copper exposure also inhibited vitellogenesis of parasitoids from Cu‐contaminated host pupae. It is suggested that the decreased fecundity and inhibition of vitellogenesis of N. vitripennis resulted from poor host nutritional state rather than from direct effects of Cu stress.
The effects of mass and age on standard metabolic rate in house crickets

Abstract. This study employed flow‐through respirometry to measure the oxygen consumption rates (VO2) of inactive male house crickets, Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), and to quantify the effects of body mass and adult age on standard metabolic rate (SMR). The Vo2 increased with male body mass at a rate similar to that found in other studies of insect aerobic metabolism. The data reported in this study are combined with published data from other species of Orthoptera to generate a consensus allometric relationship between SMR and body mass for the Order. In general, the Orthoptera expend 2–3 times the energy per unit of body mass when inactive as compared to other arthropods, such as tenebrionid beetles, ants and spiders. Possible explanations for this substantial difference are discussed. By contrast to body mass, mass‐specific Vo2 decreased with increasing male age. This age effect has previously been reported for mammals but is not well established for insects, and its implications for the preference of cricket females for older mates is discussed. As energy expended for metabolic maintenance comprises 78% of a male cricket's daily energy budget, changes in SMR may have a substantial effect on the energy available for reproduction.
Two proxy records revealing the late Holocene fire history at a site on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia

The local fire history of a coastal swamp catchment in New South Wales was reconstructed using two proxy records of fire: sedimentary macroscopic charcoal and fire-scar analyses of Xanthorrhoea johnsonii. The charcoal analysis provided a record of fire activity spanning the last 2800 years, while the Xanthorrhoea record covered the last approx. 300 years. The ability of each method to accurately record fire events was verified by cross referencing against the recent (post 1968) historic fire record. Fire history was then extrapolated beyond the historic record, to reveal an unprecedented level of fire activity in the last 35 years, which coincides with increased human activity in the area. In the prehistoric period charcoal and fire scars are comparatively rare, which is most parsimoniously ascribed to little fire activity, but perhaps represents skilful fire manipulation, as is often attributed to Aboriginal people. The comparatively minor fluctuations in macroscopic charcoal during the prehistoric period were approximately coeval with previous evidence of late Holocene environmental change in south-eastern Australia, suggesting that fire frequency at the site responded to climatic variability. The longer temporal perspective of this palaeoenvironmental approach provides information for the contemporary management of fire in this conservation reserve.
A key for the identification of the hair of mammals of a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in Nepal

Analysis of prey remains in scats, particularly hairs, is widely used to study diet of mammalian predators, but identification of hair is often difficult because hair structures vary considerably both within and between species. Use of photographic reference of diagnostically important hair structures from mammals occurring in a predator's habitat has been found to he convenient for routine identification. A photographic reference key was developed for the identification of hairs of the mammals known to occur in a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habit at in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. The key included a photographic reference of the diagnostic hair structures of nine species of wild and five species of domestic mammals. The cross-sectional appearance, shape and arrangement of medulla, the ratio of cortex to medulla. and the form and distribution of pigment in medulla and cortex were important diagnostic aids in the identification of hairs.
Acid phosphatase activity in bean and cowpea plants grown under phosphorus stress

Abstract The relationship between acid phosphatase activity (APA) and phosphorus (P) stress in two bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris var Tacarigua and var Manuare) and in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata var TUY) are reported in this paper. Sand culture experiments were performed in a highly ventilated greenhouse where plants were drip feed with nutrient solutions with either 1.0 or 0.02 mM P. Acid phosphatase activity was determined in extracts from roots, young (apical) and mature leaves, and in leaf discs and root sections using o‐carboxyphenyl phosphate as substrate. Differences in total dry matter were found to be significant (P = 0.01) only for cowpea. However, reduction in leaf area was significant in both species and varieties. Differences in the P concentration in the dry matter, were large enough to suspect that plants were suffering from a mild P stress. Acid phosphatase activity was above the values reported for these species under P stress, however, APA in these legumes appears not to be inducible .
WEST NILE VIRUS DEVASTATES AN AMERICAN CROW POPULATION

Abstract In its spread west across North America in 2002, West Nile virus (WNV) reached a population of marked American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in late summer. Within two months, 46 of 120 individuals were missing or known to be dead, 39 of which (33% of the population) are estimated to have died for WNV-related reasons. In 2003, 56 of 78 marked crows disappeared or were found dead between June and November. Five of the 28 juvenile losses were possibly unrelated to WNV, thus we estimate that 65% of our population died because of this pathogen in 2003. The total loss of 72% of population members, including 82% of juveniles, in a single year of WNV exposure raises concern for precipitous declines in American Crow populations in coming years. El Virus del Nilo Occidental Devasta una Población de Corvus brachyrhynchos Resumen. En su diseminación hacia el oeste de América del Norte durante 2002, el Virus del Nilo Occidental alcanzó a fines del verano una población marcada de Corvus brachyrhynchos en Stillwater, Oklahoma. En menos de dos meses, 46 de los 120 individuos registrados desaparecieron o murieron, 39 de los cuales (33% de la población) estimamos que murieron por causas relacionadas con el virus. En 2003, 56 de los 78 cuervos marcados desaparecieron o fueron encontrados muertos entre junio y noviembre. Cinco de las 28 pérdidas de juveniles posiblemente no estuvieron relacionadas con el virus, por lo que estimamos que el 65% de nuestra población murió a causa de este patógeno en 2003. La pérdida total del 72% de los miembros de la población, incluyendo el 82% de los juveniles, en un solo año de exposición al virus plantea preocupaciones en cuanto a la posibilidad de una disminución precipitada de las poblaciones de C. brachyrhynchos en los próximos años.
Changes in Agronomic and Seed Characteristics with Selection for Reduced Palmitic Acid Content in Soybean

Development of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] cultivars with reduced saturated fatty acid content is an important goal of soybean breeders. The objective of this study was to determine if genes for reduced palmitic acid content in the fatty acid germplasm N87-2122-4 were associated with changes in agronomic and seed quality characteristics. Approximately 22 reduced (54–72 g kg⁻¹) and 22 normal (90–119 g kg⁻¹) palmitic acid F₅:₇ lines were sampled from each of two crosses, N87-2122-4 × ‘Kenwood’ and N87-2122-4 × ‘P9273’ and grown in replicated tests at four North Carolina locations. Lines homozygous for the major reduced palmitic acid gene produced significantly (P 0.05) effect on linoleic and seed protein contents. Seed oil content was significantly (P < 0.05) greater among reduced palmitic acid lines in the N87- 2122-4 × Kenwood cross only. Genetic correlations were estimated among lines to examine the influence of selection for palmitic acid genetic modifiers on agronomic traits. Palmitic acid content was significantly (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with changes in oleic acid, and significantly (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with changes linolenic acid contents. Genetic modifiers conditioning palmitic acid content seemed independent of genes controlling seed yield, suggesting that selection for reduced palmitic acid content among lines homozygous for the reduced palmitic acid gene may be achieved without a reduction in seed yield. Efforts to further reduce palmitic acid content in populations fixed for the major palmitic acid gene should improve the quality of soybean oils produced for food processing markets. Cooperative investigations of the USDA-ARS, and North Carolina Agric. Res. Serv. , Raleigh, NC. Mention of propriety products are included for the benefit of the reader and do not imply endorsement by the USDA or North Carolina State University.
Quantitative genetic variation and genotype by environment interaction of embryo development rate in pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)

Quantitative genetic variation of development rate was evident among 20 half-sib and 40 full-sib families within each of two seasonally separate components of a population of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) (Ho: no sire effect on temperature units at hatch, P < 0.02). Differences between averages of families spawned 3 weeks apart may have had genetic or environmental sources (e.g., in constant 8°C, early embryos hatched at 606 temperature units, and late embryos, at 625). Statistical interactions between paternal effects and environment (embryos were cultured in four temperature regimes, two simulated natural regimes and two constant temperatures; Ho: no sire by regime interaction effect on temperature units at hatch, P < 0.09) were weak evidence that genotype by environment interactions contributed to variation. Paternal effects in analysis of variance (evidence of additive genetic variation) were detected only at later stages. Evidences of genetic variation and of interactions between genotypes and.
Nutrients and antiquality factors in different morphological parts of the Moringa oleifera tree

Moringa oleifera grows throughout most of the tropics and has several industrial and medicinal uses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of different morphological parts of this tree as animal feed. The crude protein (CP) content of leaves, soft twigs and stems was 260, 70 and 60 g kg−1 respectively. About 64, 79 and 67% of the total CP present in the leaves, twigs and stems respectively was found to be degradable after 24 h in the rumen. The protein insoluble in acid detergent fibre (ADIP), considered unavailable to animals, in these samples was 30, 150 and 170 g kg−1 respectively. About 87% of the total CP was in the form of true protein in the leaves (60 and 53% in twigs and stems respectively). The leaves had negligible amounts of tannins (12 g kg−1), and trypsin and amylase inhibitors, lectins, cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates were not detected. The saponin content of the leaves was 80 g kg−1 as diosgenin equivalent, which did not show any haemolytic activity. The phytate content of the leaves was 21 g kg−1. Tannins, saponins, cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates were detected in twigs and stems but the concentrations were negligible. Trypsin and amylase inhibitors were not detected in twigs and stems. Phytate contents of both twigs and stems were c. 30 g k−1. In leaves, amounts of all the essential amino acids were higher than the amino acid pattern of the FAO reference protein and comparable to those in soyabeans. The CP and lipid contents of the kernel were 370 and 420 g kg−1 respectively, and the CP of the meal (fat-free) was 610 g kg−1. The kernels and meal are extracted with water and the extract is used for the purification of water in some developing countries. The residues left after water extraction of kernels and meal (designated as extracted-kernel and extracted-meal) had a CP content of 350 and 700 g kg−1 respectively and all of this CP was in the form of true protein. After taking into account the ADIP contents in these samples, c. 38 and 69% of the total protein was calculated to be available in the post-rumen in extracted-kernel and extracted-meal respectively. The pepsin digestibility of these samples was 91 and 84% respectively. The sulphur-containing amino acids in kernel proteins were present at higher concentrations than those specified in the amino acid pattern of the FAO reference protein but other essential amino acids were deficient. Amongst the antinutritional factors mentioned above, glucosinolates and phytate were present in appreciable amounts (65·5 μmol/g and 41 g kg−1 respectively) in meal. Haemagglutination activity was also detected in the meal. The extracted-meal was virtually free of all the antinutritional factors examined except for phytate (67 g kg−1). The leaves of Moringa oleifera and the residue obtained after the recovery of oil and coagulants can be good sources of proteins for animal feeds.