Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pollen morphology and its effect on pollenl collection by honey bees, Apis Mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with special Reference to Upland Cotton, Gossypium Hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)

Abstract Honey bees, Apis mellifera, forage readily on flowers of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, to harvest nectar. The abundant pollen gets caught in the haircoat of the bees, but cotton pollen is nevertheless rarely collected. Honey bee pollen collection effectiveness was therefore investigated in a flight room using cotton and five other spheroidal pollen taxa presented in sequence. Honey bees visited all pollen dishes, but okra pollen (Abelmoschus esculentus) was never packed successfully by the bees landing in the pollen dish. Cotton pollen was collected by 16% of the landing foragers, pumpkin pollen (Cucurbita pepo) by 71%, and pollen of corn (Zea mays), pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were readily collected by nearly all foragers. The amount of time spent in the pollen dish was always short (1 to 9 seconds) and homogeneous among all pollen taxa, indicating that none of them was strongly repellent to the bees. The reduced effectiveness with which honey bees collec.
Diurnal changes of behavior and respiration of Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) in captivity

A preliminary study was carried out to investigate diurnal changes of behavior of three, one adult mate, one adult female, and one juvenile female, Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) in captivity. The respiration and behavior of the porpoises were recorded for 222 hr across 42 days. Behavioral data were recorded for eight general categories: aerial display and fast swimming, begging for fish, playing, nonsexual socializing, sexual behavior, resting, rubbing, and miscellaneous (i.e., other behaviors not included in the above categories). Each behavioral category was scored using one-zero sampling with 10-min intervals. The adult male showed shorter mean respiratory intervals at night (19:00-7:00 h), whereas the mean respiratory intervals of the females were shorter during the day (7:00-19:00 h). Begging for fish of all individuals, playing of the juvenile female, nonsexual socializing, and miscellaneous behavior of the adult female and resting of the male were observed more easily in the day, and aerial display and fast swimming of the adults and resting of the females were observed more easily at night. No significant diurnal difference was found, however, in the remaining categories of each individual. Each of the three porpoises therefore showed a distinct diurnal pattern, but none was obviously more active in the daytime than during the nighttime. Results suggest that daytime-only feeding schedules may be insufficient to meet the energetic needs of marine mammals that show a 24-hr activity cycle, and that nighttime feeding may be a worthwhile addition to husbandry routines.
Ecosystem model parameterization and adaptation for sustainable cellulosic biofuel landscape design

Renewable fuel standards in the US and elsewhere mandate the production of large quantities of cellulosic biofuels with low greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints, a requirement which will likely entail extensive cultivation of dedicated bioenergy feedstock crops on marginal agricultural lands. Performance data for such systems is sparse, and non‐linear interactions between the feedstock species, agronomic management intensity, and underlying soil and land characteristics complicate the development of sustainable landscape design strategies for low‐impact commercial‐scale feedstock production. Process‐based ecosystem models are valuable for extrapolating field trial results and making predictions of productivity and associated environmental impacts that integrate the effects of spatially variable environmental factors across diverse production landscapes. However, there are few examples of ecosystem model parameterization against field trials on both prime and marginal lands or of conducting landscape‐scale analyses at sufficient resolution to capture interactions between soil type, land use, and management intensity. In this work we used a data‐diverse, multi‐criteria approach to parameterize and validate the DayCent biogeochemistry model for upland and lowland switchgrass using data on yields, soil carbon changes, and soil nitrous oxide emissions from US field trials spanning a range of climates, soil types, and management conditions. We then conducted a high‐resolution case study analysis of a real‐world cellulosic biofuel landscape in Kansas in order to estimate feedstock production potential and associated direct biogenic GHG emissions footprint. Our results suggest that switchgrass yields and emissions balance can vary greatly across a landscape large enough to supply a biorefinery in response to variations in soil type and land‐use history, but that within a given land base both of these performance factors can be widely modulated by changing management intensity. This in turn implies a large sustainable cellulosic biofuel landscape design space within which a system can be optimized to meet economic or environmental objectives.
Vertical migration patterns in phytoplankton of mixed species composition

The vertical distribution and migration of phytoplankton composed of seven organisms in a small eutrophic pool is described. Vertical migration during a 24 h period is shown to be exhibited by Pandorina morum, Mallomonas tonsurata, Chroomonas pusilla (Rhodomonas) and Ochromonas sp. in the epilimnion and Cryptomonas rufescens in the surface of the hypolimnion. The degree of horizontal variation in distribution of the organisms is discussed and found to be greatest for the microflagellates. Changes in vertical distribution are shown to be significant and result from active movement of the cells rather than from either water movement or the combined variation associated with patchiness in distribution and counting errors. Differences between the behaviour patterns of the different algae are evident and may be used to explain Hutchinson's “paradox of the plankton”.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYRTLE FRUIT PARTS (MYRTUS COMMUNIS VAR. ITALICA) IN PHENOLICS AND ANTIOXIDANT CONTENTS

The present work aimed to study the phenolics and antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts of Myrtus communis var. italica whole fruit, seed and pericarp. The total phenol contents varied between different fruit parts; seed extract had higher total phenol content (23.87 mg GAE/g DW) than whole fruit (13.73 mg GAE/g DW) and pericarp (2.76 mg GAE/g DW) extracts. Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among different myrtle parts, representing 18.01 mg GAE/g DW in seed, 9.11 mg GAE/g DW in whole fruit and 0.79 mg GAE/g DW in pericarp. Concerning total flavonoid contents, the highest values were observed in pericarp (1.33 mg GAE/g DW) and whole fruit (1.21 mg CE/g DW) extracts. The condensed tannin content was relatively low in all samples tested, the highest value being found in whole fruit extract (0.96 mg CE/g DW). The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated that the main phenolic class was hydrolysable tannins (gallotannins) in seed (80.20%, 8.99 mg/g MS) while the pericarp was characterized by a predominance of anthocyanins (75.40%, 3.74 mg/g DW). The whole fruit contained both hydrolysable tannins 40 (10.31%, 0.69 mg/g DW) originated from seed and anthocyanins (69.36%, 4.64 mg/g DW) originated from pericarp. Antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract from different fruit parts were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, b-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching and reducing power assays. In all tests, the seed was the part with highest antioxidant potential.
Electron microscopical study of adrenal gland in guinea fowl

The ultrastructure of adrenal gland of guinea fowl was recorded by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The parenchyma of adrenal gland constituted mainly of three components, namely cortical or interrenal tissue, medullary or chromaffin tissue and vascular sinusoids. Four types of cells viz., type-I, II, III and IV were identified in adrenal cortex by transmission electron microscopy. In scanning electron microscopy the cortical cells showed blebs, cords, globules and cord like aggregates on their surface. In transmission electron microscopical observation, three types of cells were identified in medullary tissue of adrenal gland viz., Adrenaline cells, nor adrenaline cells and stellate shaped satellite cells. In scanning electron microscopical observation, the medullary cells were granular filamentous structure and showed prominent microvillus like projection on their surface.
Reproduction du Grand Cormoran (Phalacrocorax carbo) et du Cormoran à aigrettes (P. auritus) aux îles de la Madeleine, Québec

The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and the Double-crested Cormorant (P. auritus) on the Magdalen Islands (Quebec) nest in different types of habitat; all Great Cormorants nest on the ground either on cliff ledges or on the flat tops of rocky islands, while all Double-crested Cormorants nest in coniferous trees. No mixed colonies were seen in 1977 and 1978. Most Great Cormorants laid their eggs some 10 days before the Double-crested Cormorants. The mean clutch size was 4.4 for the Great Cormorant in 1978 and 3.2 and 3.6 for the Double-crested Cormorant in 1977 and 1978. The hatching success was similar for both species, 69.2% for the Great Cormorant in 1978 and 74.5 and 71.8% for the Double-crested Cormorant in 1977 and 1978. Great Cormorant chicks had a higher mortality rate mainly during their first 2 weeks of like. This resulted in a similar ratio of young fledged for both species of cormorant, about 2.0 fledglings per clutch for the Great Cormorant and 2.1 and 2.4 fledglings per clutch for the D.
Diversity of Ruminococcus strains: a survey of genetic polymorphisms and plant digestibility

Twenty‐three strains of Ruminococcus isolated from ruminants were assessed for digestive ability on different plants and purified cellulose. Genetic diversity was assessed by ERIC, REP and 16–23S rDNA spacer polymorphisms. All ruminococci could be typed by ERIC, REP or 16–23S rDNA spacer, but all three typing methods had to be used in concert to differentiate closely related strains. Digestibility of lucerne (Medicago sativa), rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) were assessed. Dry matter (DM) digestibility was highly correlated (> 0·93) with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility, but cellulose disc digestibility was a poor indicator of DM and NDF digestibility. Studies demonstrate the wide variation in ability of ruminococci to digest forages, and some recently isolated strains (Y1, LP‐9155, AR67, AR71 and AR72) were superior to reference strains (FD‐1 and Ra8). Multivariate analysis showed that groupings derived from genotyping data closely resembled those determined by digestibility data. This study indicated that ruminococci are diverse in digestive ability and genotype, and this diversity suggests that there may be highly fibrolytic strains in nature that could be utilized for animal production.
EFFECT OF CURRENT VELOCITY ON THE DETACHMENT OF THALLI OF ULVA LACTUCA (CHLOROPHYTA) IN A NEW ZEALAND ESTUARY

Experiments were undertaken in a recirculating flume to determine the relationships among water velocity, thallus area, drag, and the probability of thallus breakage or detachment in the foliose green alga Ulva lactuca L. In all specimens tested to breaking point, thalli detached from their bivalve substrates as a result of stipe breakage rather than in midthallus or by holdfast detachment. There was no relationship between thallus size and drag at which detachment occurred. Rather, the probability of detachment was normally distributed about a mean drag of 0. 70 N (95% confidence limits 0.55–0.85 N). Average breaking stress of stipes was 345 kN.m‐2 (95% cl 250–485 kN.m‐2). Similar results were obtained in field experiments where the horizontal force required to detach thalli was measured directly as 0.93 N (95% cl 0.69–1.15 N). Drag coefficients of plants were not constant with water velocity but increased up to 0.4 m.s‐1, declining exponentially at velocities above this. Empirical relationships were established between coefficient of drag and Reynold's number and, hence, among drag, thallus area and water velocity. These relationships permitted estimation of mean water velocity at which plants of a given area would detach.
Identification of target amino acids that affect interactions of fungal polygalacturonases and their plant inhibitors

Abstract Plant polygalacturonase inhibitor proteins (PGIPs) bind fungal polygalacturonases (PGs), but inhibition specificities and kinetics vary within and among species. Purified bean PGIP inhibited all fungal PGs we tested, including Fusarium moniliforme PG. Pear PGIP, however, was only effective against Botrytis cinerea PG. Moreover, tomato PGIP inhibited B. cinerea PG more than Aspergillus niger PG. Models of codon evolution for 22 dicot PGIPs and 19 fungal PGs indicated that advantageous substitutions dominate the molecular evolution of these genes and identified 9 amino acid residues, each, that are likely to evolve adaptively in response to natural selection. Many of these residues are within the β-strand/β-turn region of the PGIP LRR, including two sites known to alter inhibition specificities of bean PGIPs, but others lie outside this region. Our results complement existing molecular and biochemical studies of resistance specificity, and suggest new target amino acids for manipulating PG-inhibition.
Seasonal variation in ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity in Pinus silvestris

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity was examined in Pinus silvestris L. during successive seasons. The enzyme activities were studied both in seedlings, kept under controlled conditions in a climate chamber, and in needles from a 15-year-old tree in a natural stand. The enzyme activities were analysed in cell-free extracts prepared with Tween 80 as protective agent. The carboxylase activity fluctuated periodically both in the seedlings and in the natural stand. In the seedlings, the weight-related activity in the older needles increased 50–100% (in the cotyledons c. 200%) in the beginning of the “summer”. It decreased as the new shoot developed. The specific activity increased c. 100%. With chlorophyll as base, the activity usually decreased during “summer”. In the developing current needles the carboxylase activity increased when expressed on a weight or on a protein basis. The decrease in weight-related carboxylase activity in the older needles was preceded by, or simultaneous with, loss of total protein. It is suggested that protein, including the carboxylase, is utilized as nitrogen reserve for the new shoot. During hardening by combined photoperiod and thermoperiod, the carboxylase activity decreased when expressed relative to dry weight and protein. Calculated on a chlorophyll basis, the activity was rather constant. In the natural stand the activity in the one- and two-year-old needles increased during spring and summer and decreased during autumn and winter. Even at severe winter stress substantial carboxylase activity remained in the needles. The activity of the enzyme in vivo is discussed with respect to electron transport and net photosynthesis.
Pengaruh Kadar Air Awal, Kemasan dan Lama Simpan terhadap Protein Membran Dalam Mitokondria Benih Kedelai

The research aimed at studying the effect of moisture content, package and storage period on mitochondrial inner membrane protein of soybean seed. The research was conducted in the laboratory of Seed Technology and Microbiology of Gadjah Mada University from May 2002 to August 2003. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used in the experiment with three factors and three replications. The first factor was moisture content consisted of three levels, i.e. 8%, 10%, and 12%. The second was three kinds of packages namely polyethylene plastic, wheat and aluminium foil. The third was the storage period, i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Data collected were analyzed by analysis of variance and Duncan Multiple Range Test. Regression and correlation analysis were done to study the correlation between germination, vigor and protein content of mitochondria inner membrane. Record was made on protein content of mitochondrial inner membrane and its electrophoresis profile, electrical conductivity, germination and vigor. The result showed that moisture content, packaging and storage period had significant influences on protein content of the mitochondria inner membrane and its electrophoresis profile. Inner membrane protein of mitochondrial had a positive correlation with germination and vigor. It was concluded that moisture content, package and storage period affected inner membrane protein content of mitochondria and its protein electrophoresis profile. The protein content of mitochondrial inner membrane, germination and vigor of soybean seed stored in aluminium foil sack at 8%, 10% and 12% moisture content did not decreased within 6 months. Cell membrane damage affected mitochondrial damage. Key words: Soybean seed, mitochondria inner membrane protein
Chicken Embryo Hepatocyte Bioassay for Measuring Cytochrome P4501A-Based 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin Equivalent Concentrations in Environmental Samples

A bioassay that uses chicken embryo hepatocyte (CEH) primary cultures for measuring 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (TCDD-EQ) concentrations in extracts prepared from wild bird eggs contaminated with complex mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and other halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The CEH bioassay uses an efficient method for measuring ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) in hepatocytes cultured in 48-well plates to obtain bioassay-derived TCDD-EQ concentrations (TCDD-EQbio). Induction equivalency factors (IEFs) were determined for 39 PCB congeners, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-PCDD, and 2,3,7,8-TCDF. TCDD-EQbio concentrations in eggs from herring gulls, Larus argentatus, and great blue herons, Ardea herodias, were highly correlated with TCDD-EQ concentrations calculated (TCDD-EQcalc) from chemical residue data and IEFs (r2 = 0.977, slope = 0.99). Unlike other in vitro bioassays, 2,2‘,3,4,4‘,5‘-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB.
Description of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) phenological growth stages according to the extended BBCH scale

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an annual oilseed crop belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is adapted to semiarid growing conditions and could have expanded potential as an alternative, multipurpose crop in central Argentina and other semiarid regions. Agronomic and ecophysiology research of safflower is needed to promote its cultivation and economic potential. An accurate, standard scale describing phenological growth stages is needed to facilitate the crop management and research. We describe phenological growth stages of safflower plants from seed germination to harvest maturity according to the codes of the extended BBCH scale, a scale widely adopted throughout the world for the description of growth developmental stages of weeds and crops. This scale uses a two-digit code, where the same code is applied to the same growth stages of different plant species. For each code, a description based on easily observable external morphological characteristics is given. This work is the first description of safflower growth stages according to the codes of the extended BBCH scale. The codification proposed here provides an accurate and simplified approach to identify the safflower growth stages. This will provide a useful tool for farmers and researchers facilitating scientific communications at an international level.
Timing of whitethroat Sylvia communis arrival, breeding and moult at a coastal site in Lincolnshire

A population of Whitethroats, breeding on the Saltfleetby‐Theddlethorpe Dunes N.N. R. at high density, was studied during 1981–90 by means of mist‐netting. The first adults returned from Africa in late April, with the majority arriving during May. Males were trapped on average eight days earlier than females, and adults of known age were caught slightly earlier on their second or later return than on their first return. Breeding commenced shortly after arrival with peak egg‐laying in the second‐half of May, declining steadily to late July. Recently‐fledged juveniles were trapped from 10 June to 1 September, with a clear peak during 16–30 June. Post‐nuptial moult commenced from late June, with most adults starting in July or early August; moult completion occurred from mid August to late September. Post‐juvenile moult commenced before completion of post‐natal growth, or very shortly afterwards, and took about 36 days. Some late‐fledged juveniles may have moulted more rapidly, retaining a higher proportion o.
Achieving food security and high production of bioenergy crops through intercropping with efficient resource use in China

With high rates of food and nonrenewable fossil fuel consumption worldwide, we are facing great challenges in ensuring food and energy security to satisfy the world population. Intercropping, as an important and sustainable cropping practice in agroecosystems, has been widely practiced around the world. Many studies have shown that some plants can deliver high yields when intercropped with other plants. Here, we review the biological mechanisms in improving resource utilization efficiency and illustrate the practical application of intercropping in ensuring food and energy security through improving production. Identifying suitable energy plants for marginal land, land not suitable for food crops growth, is an effective strategy to acquire high production of bioenergy, thus removing competition between the use of land for food and energy. The effective application of intercropping provides a potential pathway for production of food crops and energy plants by improving resource use efficiency and resistance to environmental stress.
Vector‐pathogen‐host plant relationships of chrysanthemum yellows (CY) phytoplasma and the vector leafhoppers Macrosteles quadripunctulatus and Euscelidius variegatus

Chrysanthemum yellows (CY) phytoplasma is a plant‐pathogenic mollicutes belonging to the 16Sr‐IB genetic group which infects a variety of dicotyledonous plants and is transmitted in nature by some species of Cicadellidae Deltocephalinae. The transmission characteristics of CY and the factors influencing the vector efficiencies of the leafhoppers Macrosteles quadripunctulatus Kirschbaum and Euscelidius variegatus Kirschbaum are described in the present study using transmission experiments and phytoplasma‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Vector insects were allowed to acquire CY under different experimental conditions and then transferred to healthy test plants for inoculation and/or sampled for DNA extraction and amplification. The transmission efficiency of CY was very high and almost all the leafhoppers became infective following acquisition on CY‐infected daisies. The latent period in the vector ranged from 16 to 20 days after the start of the acquisition and infectivity lasted, in general, for life. The PCR assay was successful in detecting CY phytoplasmas in the insects well before they became infective (5 versus 16–18 days) and was used to estimate the proportion of infective insects. When analysed for CY presence by PCR, all the leafhoppers fed for 7–18 days on source daisy reacted positively while, following one day of acquisition, some insects failed to provide amplification. Host‐plant species influenced CY acquisition, and daisy appeared a more efficient source for both leafhoppers compared to periwinkle. Life stage did not appear to be critical for CY acquisition, although newly‐hatched nymphs of E. variegatus acquired CY less efficiently than fifth instar nymphs.