Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Productivity of Trifolium subterraneum and Phalaris aquatica under warmer, high CO2 conditions

Summary • Despite the importance of grass-legume pastoral ecosystems worldwide, there is little known about the impacts of concurrent increase in temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration on their productivity. • Pure and mixed swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) were established under ambient and warmed (+3.4°C) air temperatures, at ambient and 690 µmol mol−1 CO2 concentrations in field tunnels in temperate south-eastern Australia. • Over one year, elevated CO2 increased clover foliage growth in the monoculture by 19%, and by 31% in the mixture. Warming reduced clover monoculture herbage production at ambient CO2 by 28% and reduced the growth enhancement by elevated CO2 to +8%. Forage growth of phalaris monoculture was not affected significantly by either factor. Forage growth of the mixture was increased by 34% in response to higher CO2, but unaffected by warming. Elevated CO2 combined with warming increased forage growth of the mixed sward by 23%. • Concurrent rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature increased productivity of subterranean clover-phalaris swards. However, longer term effects on species competition and persistence may modify this conclusion.
Homomallium andoi (Hypnaceae), a new moss species from Pakistan

Homomallium andoi Higuchi & Nishimura, sp. nov. (Hypnaceae) is described from Pakistan. The most important diagnostic characters of this species are: slightly and irregularly branched stems; complanately foliate stems and branches; acute to short-acuminate leaves; and the chromosome number (n=22).
Control of cocklebur seed germination by nitrogenous compounds : Nitrite, nitrate, hydroxylamine, thiourea, azide and cyanide

Germination of non-dormant upper cocklebur (Xanthium pinsylvanicum Wallr.) seeds was stimulated by not only CS(NH2)2 but also NH2OH, KCN and NaN3. This stimulation was not via the enhancement of aerobic C2H4 production. NH2OH, KCN and NaN3 in certain concentrations promoted the initial growth of axial and/or cotyledonary parts, but the degree of growth promotion by NH2OH, NaN3 and KCN was slight compared with that by CS(NH2)2. As in the case of CS(NH2)2, however, the germinationstimulating effect of NH2OH disappeared rapidly as the preceding imbibition period was prolonged. In contrast, KCN and NaN3 were still effective in stimulating the germination of aged seeds maintained on a water substratum, as previously seen with anaerobiosis. Anaerobic induction was enhanced not only by NaN3 and KCN but also by NH2OH, KNO3, KNO2 CO(NH2)2 and CS(NH2)2 applied during the anaerobic treatment, but without causing an increase in anaerobic production of C2H4. Furthermore, KCN and NaN3, given prior to the anaerobic treatment acted additively with anaerobic induction. The germination-stimulating actions of nitrogenous compounds are discussed in comparison with those of C2H4 and anaerobiosis.
Consumo, digestibilidade total, produção de proteína microbiana e balanço de nitrogênio em dietas com subprodutos de frutas para ruminantes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of by-product of fresh fruit (pineapple, guava, papaya, mango and passion fruit) used in the diet for bovines partly replacing corn silage on intake and total nutrient digestibility, on the production of microbial protein and the nitrogen balance and on prediction of digestible fractions and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of these by-products. All animals received corn silage and the urea/ammonium sulfate (9:1) mixture so diets would remain isonitrogenous. The intakes of dry matter (DM) (kg/day), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and TDN, and the digestibility of CP, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and ether extract (EE) were affected by the source of the by-product. There was an effect for the level of inclusion of products in the digestibility of CP and EE. The by-products of papaya, mango and pineapple showed energy values of 23.1, 18.0 and 7.1% respectively, higher than corn silage. The source of the by-product influenced urinary excretion of derived from total purine, purine absorbed and production of microbial protein, in addition to the intake (g/day), the excretion in feces and urine (g/day) of nitrogen compounds and nitrogen balance (g/day). The level of inclusion of the by-product in the diet affect the urinary excretion of derived from total purine, purine absorbed and microbial protein production. The by-products of pineapple, papaya and mango have energy value higher than corn silage and they can partly replace energy concentrates in diets for ruminants. The by-product of passion fruit has the potential to partly replace roughage in the diets of ruminants. The by-product of guava has use limitations in diets of ruminants.
Photoinhibition of photosystem II in tobacco plants overexpressing glutathione reductase and poplars overexpressing superoxide dismutase

We studied photoinhibition in two cultivars of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) expressing the bacterial gor gene in the cytosol and in four lines of poplar (Populus tremula×P. alba) expressing the FeSOD gene of Arabidopsis thaliana in the chloroplast. The respective total activities of glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) in leaves of gor tobaccos and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) in the FeSOD poplars were 5–8 times higher than in the respective untransformed control plants. Leaves of control and transformed plants were subjected to high-light stress at 20°C, and photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII) was measured by oxygen evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence. The leaves were illuminated both in the presence and absence of lincomycin, which inhibits chloroplast protein synthesis. In both cases, the time course of loss of PSII activity was identical in plants overproducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and in the untransformed controls, suggesting that the ability to convert superoxide to hydrogen peroxide is not a limiting factor in protection against photoinhibition, or in the repair of photoinhibitory damage or that the site of O2− production is not accessible to the transgene product. The rate constant of photoinhibition, measured in lincomycin-treated leaves, was smaller in glutathione reductase (GR) overproducing tobacco cv. Samsun than in the respective wild-type, but this difference was not seen in cv. Bel W3. The steady-state level of PSII activity measured when the PSII repair cycle was allowed to equilibrate with photoinhibitory damage under high light was not higher in the GR overproducing cv. Samsun, suggesting that the repair of photoinhibitory damage was not enhanced in plants overproducing GR in the cytosol.
Environmental correlates of tree alpha-diversity in New Zealand primary forests

Correlations between environment and tree alpha-diversity in New Zealand's primary forests were examined using an extensive quantitative dataset (14 540 plots). Generalised additive models were used to examine relationships between species richness and temperature, solar radiation, root-zone moisture deficit, relative humidity, lithology, drainage, and plot size for all trees (112 species), and separately for broadleaved trees (88 species), conifers (17), and the genus Nothofagus (4). Diversity both for all tree species and for broadleaved trees was predicted to be highest on sites with high temperatures, high solar radiation, and high soil and atmospheric moisture, and on sedimentary and basaltic substrates. Highest conifer diversity was predicted on sites with intermediate temperatures, low solar radiation, high root-zone and atmospheric moisture. and rhyolitic and Quaternary substrates, particularly where drainage was impeded. Highest Nothofagus diversity, was predicted for sites combining low temperatures, high solar radiation. high root-zone moisture but low atmospheric moisture, and on granitic substrates. Differences in diversity between the species groups on different lithologies are interpreted as reflecting both the effects of variation in large-scale disturbance histories, and the effects of confounding environmental factors associated with particular substrates. There were also significant interactions between species groups: both broadleaved tree and conifer richness were predicted to be lower on sites where one or more Nothofagus spp. - all of which have marked patchiness in their distribution - are present. Although these results are consistent with the hypothesis that tree diversity is highest on sites conducive to high productivity, history is also indicated as an important determinant of tree diversity in New Zealand.
VARIABILITY OF LIBIDO AND PROPERTIES OF BOAR EJACULATE

The main objective of this study was to assess the variability of libido (duration of preparing to jump, T), the duration of ejaculation (E) and the properties of ejaculate: ejaculate volume (VOL), evaluation of density of ejaculate (DEN), evaluation of native sperm motility (NAT), evaluation of diluted sperm motility (DIL), as well as the number of doses produced per ejaculate (NPD) of boars reared under production conditions. The study included 8127 ejaculates of boars of the three breeds. Ejaculates were analysed during four annual seasons. Evaluation of variance was performed using mixed model. Average values of T, E, VOL, DEN, NAT, DIL and NPD were: 3.56 min, 6.09 min, 235.82 ml, 2.03, 3.98, 3.95 and 9.90 doses. Libido, ejaculation duration and characteristics of ejaculates varied under the influence of season, year, breed. All studied traits depended on the age of the boar when taking the ejaculate (P 0.05). Differences in phenotypic property values were present between boars and between ejaculates and repeatability coefficient values for all studied traits ranged from 0.08± 0.01 to 0.32± 0.05. The association of the investigated boar traits was weak to strong (from -0.14 to 0.81; P 0.05).
Cytological Studies in Cucumis and Citrullus

The cytological studies in three species of the genus Cucumis, one species and one cultivar of the genus Citrullus have been carried out. The possibility that the base number seven, the lowest in the family, has given rise to the base number 12 by fragmentation or the latter has given rise to the former by reduction in the genus Cucumis, has been analysed and discussed in this paper. In the genus Citrullus polynemy has been assumed for the difference in the size of the chromosomes. As regards the phylogenetic relationship between the two taxa, it is suggested that C. vulgaris var. fistulosus should be given a distinct specific rank, because of distinct differences in total chromatin matter, chiasmata frequency and breeding behaviour.
Human shoreline development and the nutrient stoichiometry of aquatic plant communities in Canadian Shield lakes

Human activities associated with residential development potentially alter ecological processes in lake littoral zones. We determined how the nutrient stoichiometry of aquatic plant communities relates to residential density around lakes of south-central Ontario. We calculated the elemental composition of entire plant communities from multiple sites in 12 lakes using measurements of individual plant C:N:P ratios and their areal biomass. We found considerable variability in the C:N:P ratios of whole aquatic plant communities among sites and lakes, which was not accounted for by intraspecific variability in the elemental composition of aquatic plants. Instead, differences in community-level C:N:P ratios primarily resulted from high interspecific variability in the elemental composition among dominant plant taxa and variable taxonomic composition of sampled plant communities. Plant community composition differed among lakes with and without shoreline residences, and we found lower C:N and C:P ratios in commu.
Fluorescent Antibodies to Influenza Virus in Various Immunoglobulin Fractions of Serum after Natural Infection or Vaccination

Sera from confirmed cases of influenza and from recipients of attenuated or killed influenza virus vaccines were tested for IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique. Treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol and by sucrose density gradient centrifugation proved that IgM antibodies, as well as IgA and IgG, were located exclusively in the 7S fraction of globulin. The 7S IgM antibodies rose rapidly after onset of disease in all cases and persisted in decreasing titers for 3 months. The appearance of IgA antibodies was detected in 75% of the cases. These attained lower titers and were of shorter duration. IgG fluorescent antibody (FA) titers increased in all subjects and the levels observed were closely analogous to hemagglutination inhibition titers. The three classes of FA were proven to be independently located in their respective subunits of immunoglobulin and to be specific for either type A or B influenza virus. IgM antibody increases were measurable in 52% of the vaccinees receiving attenuated viruses administered intranasally but only 12% responded with IgA antibodies. Both classes of antibody were of lower titer and shorter duration than were those after clinical disease. Their development, titer, and decline were independent of the presence or absence of IgG antibodies. In fact, many subjects had IgG antibodies at the time of vaccination. IgM and IgA antibodies in low titers were detected in 57% of the post-inoculation specimens from persons receiving inactivated vaccine. All had responded with increased titers of antibody in the IgG fraction. Finally, it was shown that it is possible to detect recent influenza infection or vaccination by the demonstration of IgM or IgA antibodies in serum.
Colchicine‐induced variation of cell size and chloroplast number in leaf mesophyll of rice

Comparisons were made in the C1 generation between the untreated controls (2x) and colchicine-treated diploids (C2x) for variation of leaf mesophyll cell size and chloroplast number. Differences were found in that the cell section area and the number of chloroplasts per cell in all the seven lines investigated were significantly greater in the C2x selections compared with the 2x controls using coded determination. In each case, there was an enhancement of chloroplast number independent of the variation in cell size.
KADAR KOLESTEROL TELUR PUYUH SETELAH PEMBERIAN TEPUNG KUNYIT DALAM PAKAN

The quail egg have complete nutrient content but its cholesterol level higher than chicken egg. This research was design to study the effect of turmeric powder supplementation to decline the cholesterol level of the quail egg. This experiment was designed by using the completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental animals were 45 female quails and divided in to 3 groups, with 5 replications; there were P0 : as control, the group of the quail that given a standart concentrate, P1 : the group of the quail with 54 mg/quail/day turmeric powder supplementation before sexual maturity (from 14 days old during 1 month), and P2 : the group of quail with 54 mg/quail/day turmeric powder supplementation when sexual maturity onset (from 45 days old during 1 month). The cholesterol level of the egg sample of the quail at production in 4th month and its feed intake from each experimental group was analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and followed by Duncan test. The result of this research showed that giving turmeric powder does not influence the feed intake and the cholesterol level of the quail egg which was given a treatment before sexual maturity, but that influence to increase the cholesterol level of quail egg that given turmeric powder when sexual maturity onset. It concluded that turmeric powder supplementation in food not effective to decrease the cholesterol level of quail egg.
Compositional and Toxicological Studies on Shea Butter

Abstract The seed oil from Butyrosporum parkii, a tropical tree, traditionally known as shea butter used as an edible oil has been isolated and the physical and chemical characteristics determined. Toxico-logical studies of the crude fat indicates the absence of gossypol and mycotoxins, while chemical analysis revealed the presence of phospho-lipids (lecithin) sterols and glycolipids. Saponification yielded saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which were separated by preferential crystallization from solutions primarily methanol and acetone saturated fatty acids predominantly confirming the solid nature of the oil at room temperature.
Antibiotic Abuse in Animal Agriculture: Exacerbating Drug Resistance in Human Pathogens

ABSTRACT Most of the antibiotics produced in the U.S. are fed to farm animals routinely as “growth promoters,” and to facilitate “factory farming. ” Unfortunately, this places selective pressure on bacteria to develop antibiotic-resistance. Genes that neutralize antibiotics wind up protecting disease-causing germs. We have seen a tremendous increase in antibiotic-resistance in common food poisoning bacteria like Salmonella, but the problem is even worse than food-borne diseases. Bacteria also can rapidly transfer and spread antibiotic-resistance to other bacterial species. Therefore, diseases not even related to food become resistant to antibiotics, and hence much greater threats. For example, Staphylococci resistant to every available antibiotic have been isolated in recent years. Acquisition of antibiotic-resistance by bioterrorism weapons are also a concern. Use of antibiotics in animal feed, by selecting for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, is thus a global threat to human health. Major scientific and medical organizations have concluded that agricultural uses of antibiotics pose a threat to public health. We need prescriptions for these drugs, yet the animal-food industries use them casually. This irresponsible misuse of antibiotics is unilaterally disarming our species from our precious last line of defense, and devastating epidemics may be the legacy of hunger for inexpensive meat. Legislation is urgently needed to curb this practice.
Morphology and Karyology of Antirrhinum rothmaleri comb. & stat. nov. (Plantaginaceae), a Plant Endemic to the NW Iberian Peninsula

This study provides preliminary evidence of morphometric variation within and among species of the Antirrhinum section Streptosepalum (Plantaginaceae) that allows further development of hypotheses concerning species boundaries. Multivariate statistical analyses of the measurements of ten morphological characters suggest that the Antirrhinum occurring on the serpentine outcrops in the province of Trás-os-Montes, NE Portugal, is a species different from A. braun-blanquetii and A. meonanthum. Its ecological preferences are also different. Antirrhinum rothmaleri (Pinto da Silva) Amich, Bernardos & García-Barriuso comb. & stat. nov. is described and illustrated. Notes on its distribution, ecology, karyology, and taxonomic relationships are presented. The diagnostic differences among A. rothmaleri, A. braun-blanquetii and A. meonanthum are provided.
The ecological flora database.

The Ecological Flora Database contains information on the ecology of British gymnosperms and angiosperms. The methods used to collect data and the structure of the database are described. The database can be used to retrieve information about a particular species or ecological characteristic and also to ask comparative questions of the data. Two examples are given: the first concerns the stomatal distribution of species which are favoured by different levels of habitat shade; and the second concerns the geographical range of species which reproduce by seed, vegetatively or by both. Species growing in habitats with little or no shade tend to have stomata distributed over both leaf surfaces, whereas those living in shaded habitats have the majority of stomata on the lower epidermis (.)
Survival, Performance, and Resistance to Myxobolus cerebralis Infection of Lake Trout × Brook Trout Hybrids

Abstract The survival, performance, and susceptibility to Myxobolus cerebralis infection of the two possible crosses between lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and brook trout S. fontinalis were compared over a 4-year period in Causey Reservoir, Utah, an oligotrophic reservoir. Splake were produced by crossing female lake trout with male brook trout and brookinaw by crossing female brook trout with male lake trout. In the hatchery, significantly more splake eggs survived from fertilization to hatching than did brookinaw eggs, but once the fish began feeding survival did not differ between the two hybrids. A total of 54,645 splake and 42,356 brookinaw were stocked in the reservoir, and over the course of the study, 92 splake and 69 brookinaw were recovered from spring and fall gill-net sets. Survival, average weight, average length, and condition factor did not significantly differ between the two hybrids for any of the 4 years. Differences in susceptibility to infection by M. cerebralis between the two hybri.
Seed Production Environment, Time of Harvest, and the Potential Longevity of Seeds of Three Cultivars of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Changes in seed quality (assessed by potential longevity, i.e. the value of the seed lot constant K1 of the seed viability equation) in three contrasting cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were monitored during seed development and maturation in two temperature regimes, viz 28/20°C and 32/24°C (12/12 h), provided by controlled environments. Mass maturity (defined as the end of the seed-filling phase) varied only between 18 and 20 d after 50% anthesis. In five of the six treatment combinations maximum potential longevity was not achieved until 12-19 d after mass maturity. In contrast, the maximum potential longevity of seeds of a japonica rice cultivar produced in the warmer regime was obtained in the first harvest after mass maturity. After mass maturity, the potential longevity of the japonica rice seed lots produced in the warmer environment was much less than that for the cooler environments. Maximum potential longevity was also consistently greater in the cooler than the warmer regime for the two indica cultivars, although the difference in K1 was small (0·3-0·5). The deleterious effect of increase in temperature on seed quality development was not detected until after mass maturity. Maximum potential longevity in the cooler regime was greatest in the glutinous indica (K1 = 3·9) and least in the japonica cultivar (K1 = 3·1). It is concluded that the japonica cultivar is not as well adapted to warm seed production regimes as the indica cultivars. Consequently, subject to confirmation, this research suggest that the seed production of japonica cultivars for long-term genetic conservation should be undertaken, whenever possible, in warm temperate environments.
Defining normal: comparison of feed restriction and full feeding of female broiler breeders

Genetic selection for growth parameters in broiler stocks has created parent stocks that are unable to self-regulate feed intake to a level that permits reproductive function. Modern broiler breeders are feed restricted to limit the incidence of reproductive disorders and excessive body weight gain. A high degree of feed restriction is common during the pullet phase, which has been identified as a welfare issue. This paper examines the productive and welfare implications of feed restriction in modern breeders and the implications of returning to ad libitum (AL) feeding conditions. Feed restricted hens are compared to AL fed hens to demonstrate the full range in potential results from eliminating or reducing the degree of feed restriction in broiler breeder management. Both full feeding and restricted feeding programmes impact bird welfare. The contrast of these methods is intended to provide background information for the development of a definition of what a normal or appropriate growth profile is for broiler breeders. The implications of overfeeding on the well-being of the birds make current feed restriction programmes the more welfare-friendly alternative, despite apparent drawbacks.