Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytoplasmic membrane of Rhizobium meliloti bacteroids. I. Alterations in lipid composition, physical properties, and respiratory proteins

Differentiation of Rhizobium meliloti cells in alfalfa root nodules is characterized by alteration in the lipid composition and physical properties of the bacteroid cytoplasmic membrane. Nitrogen-fixing bacteroids isolated from nodules showed an altered phospholipid and fatty acid composition and lacked aliphatic alcohols normally associated with the bacterial cell wall. Bacteroid cytoplasmic membrane lipids were more fluid, but responded specifically to the presence of calcium ion with an increase in the ordered packing of fatty acid side chains, as determined from electron spin resonance spectra of spin probes intercalated in the membrane. This cation also specifically enhanced rates of respiration of the bacteroids and rates of reduction of the spin probe. Bacteroid cytoplasmic membranes differed from those of air-grown cells, both in the amount of cytochromes b and c per cell and in the nature of the terminal oxidase. Cytochrome aa3, was present in bacteroids at less than 1/10 the level found in air-g.
Effect of dietary fishmeal replacement in the formulated food by heat processed soybean meal on growth, survival and crude protein level of fingerlings of Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fishmeal replacement in the formulated food by heat processed soybean meal on growth, survival and crude protein level of fingerlings of Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT). Six experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous approximately. The diet 1 (control diet) contained 100% fishmeal and 0% soybean meal. Fishmeal was partially replaced by 10%, 25%, 30%, 40% and 50% of heat-treated soybean meal in the diets 2 to 6. Early GIFT fingerlings (body weight 1.92 ± 0.10 g) were reared in 164 L indoor fiberglass tanks and 3 replicates were arranged for each experimental diet. Each tank was provided with continuous mild aeration. Feed ration was 10% of total fish biomass over the first 30 days which was divided and offered at 09:00 h, 12:00 h and 16:00 h daily and the amount was reduced up to 8% of total fish biomass for the next 30 days. Results showed that percentage weight gain recorded in fish fed with the experimental diets 4, 5 and 6 (where fish meal was replaced by 30%, 40% and 50% soybean meal respectively) were not significantly different from that of fish fed with the control diet (P DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v11i0.2223 Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 11 (2006): 63-72
Dose response of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on pigeonpea

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effective dose of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on pigeonpea at Bio-control Laboratory, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh during 2011. The results revealed that the higher dose of B. bassiana 10 8 conidia/g @ 3.5 g/litre proved to be the most effective dose among five doses(1.5 to 3.5 g/lit) tested against the third instar larvae of H. armigera. The mortality was increased with the increase in the doses of B. bassiana. How to view point the article : Karkar, M.A., Kapadia, M.N. and Jethva, D.M. (2014). Dose response of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on pigeonpea. Internat. J. Plant Protec. , 7(1) : 255-256.
Reciprocal crosses between Alabio and Mojosari ducks : early egg production

alternative to increasing productivity and production efficiency. Crossbreeding has been used widely for increasing productivity, and in this experiment Alabio and Mojosari ducks were crossed reciprocally in order to evaluate their egg production and egg quality, when compared to their parental breeds. Four genotypes AA, AM, MA and MM were compared and each consisted of 50 layer ducks. Each animal was kept in individual cage, and individual egg production and egg quality were recorded. They were given layer feed containing 20% crude protein and 3000 kcal/kg metabolisable energy. Results showed that the crossbred ducks (AM and MA) laid eggs earlier than their parental breeds (AA and MM), and MA laid earlier than AM. The weight of first eggs of the crossbreeds did not differ significantly, AM was the same as MM and MA the same as AA. For the body weight at first lay, MA and AM weighed in between their parental breeds, AA was the heaviest and then followed by MA, AM and MM. For the 3-month egg production, MA ducks laid significantly more egg than the other 3 genotypes, and this is related to the age of first lay being the earliest. In terms of egg quality such as egg weight, yolk color, weight and thickness of shell, weight of the white and HU value, the crossbred ducks showed quality in between AA and MM. The AM ducks tended to be closer to MM and MA closer to AA, and this shows a strong influence of maternal effects. The average level of heterosis for weight of first egg is 2.41% and for 3-month egg production is 2.1%, but for MA cross the heterosis level is 11.69% for egg production. The overall results showed that crossbreeds between Alabio and Mojosari have the potential in improving production traits in the effort to increase productivity and production efficiency. Key words : Duck, crossbred, production egg
The diets of two phonic types of the bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus in Britain

The pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) occurs as two phonic types in the British Isles, termed the 45 kHz phonic type and the 55 kHz phonic type. The two types are probably sibling species and therefore may have different diets. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the diets of the two phonic types by using faecal analysis. Droppings were collected from three roosts of the 45 kHz phonic type and three roosts of the 55 kHz phonic type in three standardized time-periods during June and July 1994. Prey remains were identified in each sample as far as possible to the class, order, or family level, and the Percentage Items of each prey group in the diet of each phonic type was calculated. Analyses of variance were carried out to investigate the effects of time-period and roost on dietary composition, and to determine differences in the diets of the two phonic types for the main prey groups found. Both phonic types ate mostly the dipteran suborder Nematocera, and there was no difference between the phonic types in dietary breadth. The main prey groups in the diet of bats of the 45 kHz phonic type were the families Psychodidae, Anisopodidae and Muscidae, whereas the main prey groups of bats of the 55 kHz phonic type were the families Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae. Differences in the diets of the two phonic types are discussed with respect to differences in habitat use by, and differences in echolocation call frequencies of, the two phonic types. The reported dietary differences support the hypothesis that the two phonic types are sibling species.
Chromosome counts and karyotypes in Chaetoseris and Stenoseris (Asteraceae‐Cichorieae) from the Hengduan Mountains of SW China

Abstract Chaetoseris and Stenoseris are two morphologically close genera from the tribe Cichorieae of the sunflower family and they are endemic in alpine eastern Himalayas to the Hengduan Mountains of SW China. Mitotic chromosome numbers and karyotypes are reported for 12 populations representing eight species of Chaetoseris and two species of Stenoseris from the Hengduan Mountains region. Eight species are new and the other two provide confirmation of previous reference. All Chaetoseris and Stenoseris taxa are diploidy with 2n= 16 and their basic number is tentatively suggested as x= 8. Karyotypes of Chaetoseris and Stenoseris are similar to each other with 2A and 2B for the former and 2A for the latter. Cytological data of chromosomal numbers and karyotypes support a close relationship of the two genera. Currently no polyploids are found for these two genera and it seems that polyploidization has played a minor role in their evolutionary speciation in the Hengduan Mountains region.
Efecto de Fuentes de Azufre Sobre el Rendimiento y Calidad de Trigo y Pradera en Dos Andisoles

Se realizaron dos experimentos para evaluar el efecto de la fuente y dosis de azufre (S) en el rendimiento y calidad de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) y de una pradera permanente naturalizada, en el sur de Chile. En el ensayo de trigo se compararon sulfato de calcio (SCA) y sulfato de magnesio (SMG) (45 y 90 kg S ha-1). En el ensayo de pradera, ademas se evaluo sulfato doble de potasio y magnesio (SKMG). Los fertilizantes fueron aplicados en cobertera y se incluyo un tratamiento control. En trigo se evaluaron los componentes del rendimiento: el rendimiento, la concentracion de nitrogeno (N), fosforo (P) y S en la planta y el grano y la calidad del gluten. En pradera se evaluo el rendimiento y calidad nutricional (concentracion foliar de N, P, S, energia y valor ? D? ). En trigo, el S corrigio la deficiencia edafica pero no incremento la calidad ni el rendimiento (P > 0,05). En pradera, el S edafico y el tipo de pradera empleada enmascararon el efecto del S-fertilizante en el rendimiento y calidad de la misma. En ambos, no hubo diferencia entre fuentes para la correccion de la deficiencia edafica de S (P > 0,05). La aplicacion de S incremento la extraccion de P. La aplicacion de S en suelos deficientes es necesaria para compensar la obtencion de balances de puerta negativos en los tratamientos control (-13 y -18 kg S ha-1). Se necesitan mas estudios para establecer el rol del S edafico y la lixiviacion en la dinamica del S en andisoles.
The interplay between species’ positive and negative interactions shapes the community biomass–species richness relationship

We used an individual-based spatially-explicit model to assess the role of facilitation and plant strategies in shaping the ‘community biomass–species richness’ relationship. Facilitation had few impacts on community's richness under both the most benign (high community biomass) and the most severe (low community biomass) environments where its intensity was weak. From medium to high environmental severity, facilitation increased community richness, because all plant strategies were facilitated. In contrast, from low to medium environmental severity facilitation decreased community richness, because only the most competitive species were facilitated, which induced a decrease in the richness of the stress-tolerant species overwhelming the increase in richness of the competitive species. Above all, our simulations show how ‘strategy-dependent’ interactions among species combine to shape the humped-back biomass–species richness relationship. It also demonstrates that facilitative effects might have long-term negative effects on species richness, which result is not included in current facilitation models.
The Seasonal Dynamics of The Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem

The full suite of carbon exchanges among the 36 most important components of the Chesapeake Bay mesohaline ecosystem is estimated to examine the seasonal trends in energy flow and the trophic dynamics of the ecosystem. The networks provide information on the rates of energy transfer between the trophic components in a system wherein autochthonous production is dominated by phytoplankton production. A key seasonal feature of the system is that the summer grazing of primary producers by zooplankton is greatly reduced due to top—down control of zooplankton by ctenophores and sea nettles. Some of the ungrazed phytoplankton is left to fuel the activities of the pelagic microbial community, and the remainder falls to the bottom where it augments the deposit—feeding assemblage of polychaetes, amphipods, and blue crabs. There is a dominant seasonal cycle in the activities of all subcommunities, which is greatest in the summer and least in the cold season. However, the overall topology of the ecosystem does not ap.
Biological species of Armillaria in the mixedwood forest of northern Ontario.

The Armillaria complex of the mixedwood forest of northern Ontario is composed of four intersterile species. Single-spore isolates of these biological species were compatible with Anderson and Ullrich's biological species I (Armillariaobscura), III, V, and VII (Armillariabulbosa). Armillariaobscura and biological species V were the most common. Armillariamellea sensu stricto was not collected.
Avaliação da produção de Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) singer utilizando resíduo do beneficiamento têxtil do algodão como substrato

Realizou-se um ensaio objetivando investigar a viabilidade da producao do cogumelo comestivel Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer em substratos cuja principal fonte de carbono fosse o residuo do beneficiamento textil do algodao. Foram avaliadas duas composicoes de substrato: C1 (residuo do beneficiamento textil do algodao, farelo de trigo, gesso e calcario) e C2 (residuo do beneficiamento textil do algodao, farelo de trigo, palha de feijao, gesso e calcario). O experimento foi estabelecido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com nove repeticoes por tratamento e os dados de producao e eficiencia biologica foram analisados utilizando-se o procedimento ANOVAG do pacote estatistico SAEG. O residuo do beneficiamento textil do algodao, como principal ingrediente do substrato, mostrou-se eficiente para a producao do cogumelo P. sajor-caju, apresentando valores satisfatorios de produtividade (0,56 e 0,55 kg/kg substrato) e eficiencia biologica (55,76 e 55,39 %), respectivamente para C1 e C2, podendo ser recomendado como alternativa menos onerosa de substrato comercial para a especie Pleurotus sajor-caju.
Geomorphometrics of Tooth Size and Arch Dimension Analysis by Conventional Digital Caliper and Digital Stereomicroscope to Establish Standard Norms for the Pakistani Population

In order to establish standard norms for the Pakistani population, we investigated the geomorphometrics of tooth size and arch dimension using a conventional digital caliper (DC) and a digital stereomicroscope (SM). The sample consisted of 128 subjects ranging in age from 18 to 24 years. A total of 44,155 variables were measured. Dental models of each subject for maxillary and mandibular arches were scanned via Hirox digital stereomicroscope for the fabrication of the digital models, and the geomorphometrics of tooth size and arch dimensions were measured via SM scanned digital models. All the measurements were also carried out via DC on plaster dental models. Sex differences and changes associated with methods were assessed, and interrelationships between different variables were explored within the study group. For the data obtained by DC and SM techniques, the men had significantly larger arch dimensions and geomorphometrics of tooth size than the women did. There were no significant disparities observed between the techniques. The developed norms for the mesiodistal, buccolingual, diagonal tooth sizes and arch dimension had significantly greater values for males in relation to females (*pd” 0.05 to ***pd” 0.001). This study has established a new reference database of tooth size and arch dimensions via both DC and digital SM for first time on Pakistani population. These norms will be helpful for clinical treatment planning in dentistry. Contemporaneously, the norms will be of great value to forensic dentists and dental anthropologists for making comparisons within and between different populations.
Genetic Variation, Biogeographical History, and Conservation of Anthyllis montana L. Ssp. jacquinii (Kern.) Hayek (Fabaceae) at Its Northern Distribution Limit

Genetic patterns in Anthyllis montana ssp. jacquinii populations from the species’ central Balkan distribution toward its northern distribution limit in Austria were analyzed against the background of their evolution, biogeography, and conservation. Genetic structure and diversity were assessed by DNA sequencing (ITS, trnH/psbA) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Provisionally, seed mass data were added. Four homoplastic mutations were observed within the trnH/psbA intergenic spacer, while ITS sequences were identical across populations. Population differentiation, as assessed by AFLPs, was moderate (). Isolation by distance was absent within the peripheral and central regions. Genetic-structure analyses revealed two groups, separating the two northernmost Austrian populations from the remaining populations. Population sizes were not correlated with the overall rather low genetic-diversity values, but AFLP diversity was not further reduced in peripheral populations. Seed mass was similar across populations. The unexpected diversity level of the peripheral populations might be best explained by persistence of ancient genetic diversity and accumulation of new mutations. The main evolutionary process acting is probably genetic drift, as confirmed by AFLP outlier analysis. Biogeographical and conservation perspectives emphasize the importance of the peripheral Austrian populations representing an independent gene pool within A. montana ssp. jacquinii.
Effects of inoculum density, température, seeding depth, seeding date and fungicidal seed treatment on the impact of Rhizoctonia solani on lentil

Rhizoctonia solani causes seedling blight and root rot in lentil, which reduces plant populations and the vigour and yield of surviving plants. Factors in the seedling environment, such as inoculum density, temperature, seeding depth, seeding date, and fungicidal seed treatment were studied to determine the degree to which they affect the impact of R. solani on lentil seedlings. Survival of lentil plants was evaluated after planting into soil artificially inoculated with various concentrations of a highly aggressive isolate of R. solani (AG-4). Emergence, seedling survival and shoot dry matter production decreased with increasing inoculum density, but these declines varied with temperature. Low soil temperatures delayed the emergence of lentil seedlings in non-inoculated soil, but in inoculated soils, emergence was inhibited with increasing temperatures. Depth of seeding did not affect seedling establishment, but root rot severity increased with depth of seeding in a growth cabinet trial. Root nodulation .
Upland Rice Response to Phosphorus Fertilization in Asia

Upland rice (Oryza saliva L.) yields on infertile, acid soils in the Asian uplands average only 1 Mg ha -1 . Phosphorus deficiency is considered a major soil constraint to increased yield, but little quantitative information is available. We analyzed P responses of traditional rice on farm in Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines and improved varieties in researcher-managed trials in the Philippines. Treatments in on-farm trials were a control and 50 kg P ha -1 ± 100 and 50 kg ha -1 N and K, respectively. Treatments in researcher-managed trials were P rates on an unlimed and limed Ultisol. Mehlich-1 extractable P correlated with on-farm grain yield (r = 0.47). Phosphorus fertilization increased average grain yield (1 Mg ha -1 ) by 20%, total biomass (4 Mg ha -1 ) by 27%, and P uptake (4.1 kg ha -1 ) by 53%. Yield increased 37% with P + N + K, but only 16% of the 2.4 Mg ha -1 biomass increase was grain. Improved rice in researcher-managed trials responded to P, with a larger proportion of biomass partitioned to grain [i.e., higher harvest index (HI)]. Grain yield of UPLRi-5' increased from 3.2 to 4.6 Mg ha -1 in limed soil while that of IR55423-01' increased from 3.4 to 4.0 Mg ha -1 in unlimed soil. Phosphorus fertilization always increased the frequency of higher yields averaged across trials, soils, varieties, and growing conditions. Yield gain from on-farm P fertilization of traditional rice was small because of low HI, unlike in improved varieties, which had a HI. We infer that increasing upland rice yield in Asia would require genotypes with higher HI in addition to P fertilization.
Pathogens in Environmental Biofilms

Biofilm Structure Autochthonous Biofilm Microflora Autochthonous Biofilm Pathogens Allochthonous Biofilm Pathogens Biofilm Safe Haven Keywords: biofilms, pathogens in; drinking water distribution systems, pathogen in; quorum sensing in biofilms
Oviposition, development and predation rates of Neoseiulus californicus fed on red and green forms of Tetranychus urticae

Abstract We studied the effect of three diets consisting of eggs and adults of two forms of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on the rate of predation, rate of oviposition, and development of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The diet types consisted of T. urticae red form eggs/adults (type a), green form eggs/adults, (type b) and mixed red and green form eggs/adults (type c). The form of eggs did not have an effect on the rate of predation, nor did the forms of adults with the exception of more predation on mixed forms on the third day of the experiment and on both red and mixed forms on the second day. The rate of oviposition did not differ between N. californicus provided different forms of eggs as prey on the second day, but on the third day, there was a significantly higher rate of oviposition associated with diet types a, and c. There was no effect on rate of oviposition when N. californicus fed on adult prey. When T. urticaeeggs and adults were provided pairwise, N. californicus produced significantly more eggs when fed eggs of diet types a and c on both the second and third days of the experiment, while feeding on eggs and adults of the diet type b resulted in no difference in rate of oviposition. Moreover, preying on red T. urticae or on red and mixed T. urticae resulted in the slowest development of the protonymph and deutonymph stages, while the duration of larval stages were similar across all types of diets. The benefits of each diet and the capacity of N. californicusto control both forms of T. urticae are discussed.
Contrary effects of leaf position and identity on oviposition and larval feeding patterns of the diamondback moth

The influence of leaf position and leaf identity on oviposition and neonate feeding site establishment by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were investigated in laboratory experiments. Leaves were excised from cabbage [Brassica oleracea L. capitata, cv. Sugarloaf (Brassicaceae)] and the plants reconfigured on artificial stems made from oasis floral foam. Excised leaves were arranged in their normal (natural) order, in reverse order, or in random order. Relative leaf position, but not leaf identity, significantly influenced the choice of oviposition site; when exposed to female moths, leaves in the lowest three positions always received most eggs. To eliminate the effect of leaf position, oviposition experiments were conducted on excised leaves held at uniform height in individual blocks of oasis foam that had been randomly allocated to a position in a circle at the base of an oviposition cage. Moths laid significantly more eggs on younger leaves, but egg density per unit area did not vary among leaves, supporting the finding that leaf identity did not affect moth oviposition. In experiments that investigated the establishment of neonate feeding sites in reconfigured plants, feeding sites were always concentrated on the youngest two leaves of plants, regardless of their position in normal‐, reverse‐, and random‐order plant configurations. This indicates that leaf identity rather than leaf position determines the site of neonate feeding site establishment. The contrary effects of leaf identity and leaf position on oviposition and neonate feeding site establishment in the same species suggests that different life stages utilize different plant cues (perhaps both physical and chemical) in life stage‐specific ways.