Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening Highbush Blueberry Cultivars for Resistance to Phomopsis Canker

One-year-old rooted microshoots and 2-year-old rooted hardwood blueberry cuttings (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were inoculated with Phomopsis vaccinii Shear using stem flap, stem freeze, needle pierce,and leaf tear wounding techniques. The needle pierce was the simplest method that produced high infection rates. Nine northern-adapted cultivars were placed in a factorial experiment to measure their infection resistance. Microshoots and hardwood cuttings of 'Elliott' and 'Bluetta' survived the longest and had the lowest mortality rate. Phomopsis vaccinii was reisolated successfully from inoculated shoots of all cultivars.
Using a mathematical model to evaluate the trophic and non-trophic determinants of axis development in grapevine.

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) shoot is a complex modular branching system, with one primary axis and many secondary axes organised into a repetitive structure of three successive phytomers (P0-P1-P2). P1-P2 phytomers bear one tendril or cluster, whereas P0 phytomers bear no tendrils or clusters. Axis development displays a high variability, due, partly, to trophic competition. The aim of this study was to estimate changes in trophic competition within the shoot, and to relate plasticity in axis development to changes in trophic competition. 'Grenache N. ' and 'Syrah' cultivars were grown with two contrasting levels of cluster load. Organogenesis and organ mass were measured during shoot development. Changes in trophic competition were estimated, using the solver functions of the GreenLab model. Internodes and clusters were strong sinks. They affected the shoot development to the same extent, but the internodes showed an earlier effect. The cessation of development of the secondary axis was affected by trophic competition, but the primary axis continued to develop, regardless of trophic competition. Secondary axes differed in sensitivity to trophic competition as a function of two criteria: their type and their size. The most highly developed axes were less affected than the smaller axes, and secondary axes arising from a P0 phytomer were also less affected than secondary axes arising from a P1 or P2 phytomer.
Fish community comparisons along environmental gradients in lakes of France and north‐east USA

Aim To assess whether eight traits of fish communities (species richness, three reproductive traits and four trophic traits) respond similarly to environmental gradients, and consequently display convergence between the lakes of France and north-east USA (NEUSA). Location 75 French and 168 north-east USA lakes. Methods The data encompass fish surveys, the assignment of species into reproductive and trophic guilds, and environmental variables characterizing the lakes and their catchments. The analytical procedure was adapted from the recommendations of Schluter (1986) [Ecology, 67, 1073–1085]. Results The comparison of the regional pools of lacustrine fishes indicated that NEUSA was about twice as speciose as France, mostly due to higher species turnover across lakes, although NEUSA lakes were consistently about 20% more speciose than French lakes for a given surface area. Warmer environments were consistently inhabited by a higher proportion of phytophilous and guarder species than were colder lakes. Hence there was convergence in community reproductive traits. Conversely, there was no evidence of convergence in the trophic structure of lacustrine fish communities between regions. Main conclusions The influence of temperature on the availability and quality of spawning substrates appears to be a major constraint on present-day lacustrine fish communities. In parallel, phylogenetic constraints, past events such as the diversification of the North American fish fauna, and selective extinctions during Pleistocene glaciations and subsequent recolonizations contribute to explaining the dissimilarities between the communities of the two regions and differences in their relationship to the environment.
Guard Cell Compensatory Signaling Network

New findings suggest that guard cells use compensatory feedback control to adapt to conditions that produce excessively open stomata by enhancing (priming) the Ca 2+ sensitivity of ion channels and open questions within the network of Ca 2+ -dependent and independent guard cell signaling are discussed. the guard cell signal transduction mutations impairing stomatal closure, in particular slac1 anion channel mutations, unexpectedly also exhibit slowed stomatal opening responses. Results suggest that this compensatory slowing of stomatal opening can be attributed to a calcium-dependent post-translational down-regulation of stomatal opening mechanisms, including down-regulation of inward K + channel activity. Here, we discuss this newly emerging stomatal compensatory feedback control model mediated via constitutive enhancement (priming) of intracellular Ca 2+ sensitivity of ion channel activity. The protein kinase CPK6 is strongly activated by physiological Ca 2+ elevations and a model is discussed and open questions are raised for cross-talk among Ca 2+ -dependent and Ca 2+ transduction pathways and Ca 2+ sensitivity priming mechanisms. Ca (primed) Ca 2+ sensitivity, The negative charges at inner side of the (right indicate the more negative (hyperpolarized) membrane for slac1 mutant alleles.
A Comparison of the Rate of Maintenance Respiration in Some Crop Legumes and Tobacco Determined by Three Methods

Carbon exchange was measured on whole plants of field bean, lucerne, chick pea, kidney bean, pea and tobacco. The maintenance respiration rate was measured in three ways: (i) by allowing the CO2 efflux to decay in prolonged darkness to an asymptotic value which was then taken to be the maintenance value (the dark decay method); (ii) by plotting the dark CO2 efflux as a function of the net CO2 uptake over a range of irradiances and taking maintenance as the dark CO2 efflux when the net CO2 uptake was zero (the dynamic method); and (iii) by plotting the total CO2 uptake as a function of the growth rate and taking maintenance respiration as the CO2 efflux when the growth rate was zero (the zero growth rate method). The range of values for the maintenance coefficient over all species was from 1.6 to 2.1 per cent of the dry weight per day, 1.8 to 2.1 per cent and 2.7 to 2.9 per cent as determined by these three methods respectively. There was a linear relationship, common to all species, between the maintenance respiration rate (dark decay method) and dry weight, total nitrogen and the organic nitrogen content. The growth coefficient (0.69±0.01) was the same for field bean, chick pea and lucerne and was unaffected by the method of estimation. It was concluded that the dark decay method provided the best estimate of the minimal maintenance requirements in the plants studied.
Comparison of Stem Diameter Variations in Three Small Ornamental Shrubs under Water Stress

The dendrometer has been proposed as a sensitive plant water indicator based on stem growth. However, studies including dendrometers have been mainly focused on fruit trees and less attention has been paid to ornamental shrubs (small plants). In the study described here, stem dendrometers were used to ascertain whether there is any relation- ship between water status and dendrometric indices in potted ornamental shrubs (1 to 2 cm diameter). For this purpose, three Mediterranean shrubs (Pittosporum tobira, Callistemon citrinus ,a ndRhamnus alaternus) were studied under water stress recovery conditions in winter, spring, and early summer. At the end of the experiment, an extreme water stress treatment, which resulted in plant death (August) was also studied. Stem diameter variations (maximum and minimum daily stem values (MXDS and MNDS, respectively), maximum daily shrinkage (MDS), and stem growth rate (SGR)), daily evapotranspiration (daily plant ET), and leaf water potential (Cleaf) parameters were considered throughout the experiment. A regression analysis between dendrometric indices and daily plant ET showed that MXDS and MNDS were sensitive under water stress recovery conditions, especially in severe environmental conditions (spring and summer). The SGR inC.citrinus, the MDS in P. tobira, and both indices in R. alaternus were seen to be sensitive during the stress to death period. Although more studies are needed, the results confirm that the use of dendrometers in small plants may be useful to provide continuous and automated registers of the plant water status under different substrate water content and climatic conditions. However, the response of these indices may imply moderate water stress.
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF GENUS Eulophia (ORCHIDACEAE) IN SELECTED WETLANDS OF UGANDA BASED ON AFLP ANALYSIS

Present study involving screening of genetic diversity within and among populations of Eulophia was carried out using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs). Cluster analysis of all the AFLP data by unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) resulted in a dendrogram that very closely conformed to the difference in populations. The dendrogram shows that similar species were positioned close to one another but individuals there in are clearly genetically different both within the sites and between sites. The significant between population variance probably indicates restricted gene flow. Clusters shown in UPGMA dendrogram were consistent with the results of principal coordinate ordinance (PCO) using NTSYS. In conclusion, despite the small number of samples analyzed at the selected sites, they are genetically varied at the sites and among populations.
Evolution of organismal stoichiometry in a 50,000-generation experiment with Escherichia coli

Organismal stoichiometry refers to the relative proportion of chemical elements in the biomass of organisms, and it can have important effects on ecological interactions from population to ecosystem scales. Although stoichiometry has been studied extensively from an ecological perspective, little is known about rates and directions of evolutionary changes in elemental composition in response to nutrient limitation. We measured carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of Escherichia coli evolved under controlled carbon-limited conditions for 50,000 generations. The bacteria evolved higher relative nitrogen and phosphorus content, consistent with selection for increased use of the more abundant elements. Total carbon assimilated also increased, indicating more efficient use of the limiting element. Altogether, our study shows that stoichiometry evolved over a relatively short time-period, and that it did so in a predictable direction given the carbon-limiting environment.
Effect of Organic Waste Incorporation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Transplanted Rice and Associated Weeds

Cyperus, iria, and Echinochloa crusgali were the dominant weeds associated with transplanted flooded rice variety Himalaya 1. The incorporation of Lantana and Eupatorium each at 5 t/ha at the time of puddling increased the growth of Cyperus iria and decreased the population of Panicum psilapodium at harvest. The grain and straw yields of rice increased significantly when Lantana and Eupatorium were incorporated whereas the effect of wheat straw was non-significant. Nitrogen fertilizaation increased the density of andv dry weight of individual weed species as well as that of <otal weeds. The response of rice to nitrogen was upto -100 kg N/ha and each kg N applied resulted in 10.6, 9.4 and 9.0 kg rice from 50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha, respectively when averaged over two crop seasons.
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE WHITE PINE CONE BORER, EUCOSMA TOCULLIONANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

Abstract The life history of the white pine cone borer, Eucosma tocullionana Heinrich, was studied from 1992 to 1994 in an eastern white pine seed orchard in Ontario. Adults flew from late May to early July, and egg laying commenced in mid-June. Oviposition coincided with the onset of white pine pollen release. Eggs were laid singly or in clusters on cones, with most of the eggs laid on the basal third of the cone. Head capsule measurements indicated five instars. Larvae fed in cones from mid-June to the end of August. Mature larvae exited the cones and dropped to the ground to pupate. The insect is univoltine. Parasitism by the Hymenoptera, Trichogramma and Apanteles, accounted for 5% of the eggs and 1% of the larvae, respectively. About 40% of the larvae died from being entrapped in resin. There were no significant differences in attack rates by E. tocullionana within the tree except in the middle level, where the south quadrant had significantly higher rates than the north quadrant. Résumé Le cycle de vie du perce-cône du pin blanc, Eucosma tocullionana Heinrich, a été étudié de 1992 à 1994 dans un verger à graines de pins blancs en Ontario. Les adultes ont volé de la fin de mai au début de juillet. La ponte des oeufs a commencé à la mi-juin, coïncidant avec le début de la dispersion du pollen des pins blancs. Les oeufs ont été pondus isolément ou en amas sur les cônes, la majorité sur le tiers inférieur des cônes. Les mesures de la capsule céphalique ont indiqué cinq stades larvaires (instars). Les larves se sont nourries dans les cônes de la mi-juin à la fin d’août. À leur sortie des cônes, les larves matures sont tombées au sol pour la nymphose. Cet insecte est univoltin. Les hyménoptères Trichogramma et Apanteles ont parasité 5% des oeufs et 1% des larves respectivement. Environ 40% des larves sont mortes emprisonnées dans la résine. Aucune différence significative de l’ampleur des attaques par E. tocullionana au niveau de l’arbre n’a été mise en évidence, sauf dans la partie moyenne où les attaques étaient significativement plus nombreuses dans le quadrant sud comparativement au quadrant nord.
Comparison of three techniques for the attachment of radio transmitters to European Starlings

Abstract A captive study was conducted to determine the most appropriate method for attaching radio transmitters to a medium-sized (20–100 g) passerine, the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Using mock transmitters, three methods of attachment were tried: a body harness, a glued backpack, and a tail-mount. The harness was the most reliable in terms of duration of attachment, with six of eight attachments (75%) retained by the birds at the completion of the 24-d trial. In contrast, just two of eight (25%) glued backpack attachments remained in place at the conclusion of the study. Tail-mounts performed only slightly better than glued backpacks, with only three of eight tail-mounts remaining in place at the conclusion of the study. Flight, feeding, and perching activities were not affected by the attachments; however, some birds showed initial annoyance toward the mock radio transmitters, inferred by pecking directed at the attachment site. Each attachment method was found to slightly alter the activity (pecking) of the starlings compared to the control group, but this persisted only for the first day following attachment. On the basis of the pecking response, tail-mount attachments were the least aggravating to the birds followed by the harness method. Once adjusted to the attachment, we observed no difference in starling activity, and the body condition of control and treated birds remained similar for the duration of the trials. We recommend the use of the harness for attaching radio transmitters to European Starlings and other similar sized passerines, particularly if birds are expected to molt during the experimental period.
More polymorphic microsatellite markers in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

We provide details of five microsatellite loci screened in 163 individual sea bass. Large numbers of alleles were observed at three loci (20–25) and heterozygosities ranged from 0.52 to 0.86. These loci should prove useful for population genetic studies and for the pedigree analysis and genetic management of this species in aquaculture.
Characterisation of a β-tubulin gene from Melampsora lini and comparison of fungal β-tubulin genes

A Melampsora lini β-tubulin gene and flanking sequence has been isolated and characterised. The gene contains 8 introns, is expressed in germinating urediospores and vegetative mycelia and encodes a 448 amino acid protein that is similar to other fungal β-tubulin genes. Evidence for a second β-tubulin gene within the M. lini genome is also presented. The predicted M. lini β-tubulin protein was compared with 34 other fungal β-tubulin proteins in a phylogenetic analysis and, in general, good agreement was observed between the derived β-tubulin based phylogeny and the current taxonomic status of these species. However, a second β-tubulin protein found in five fungal species is atypical when compared to other fungal β-tubulin proteins. Analysis of intron positions within 33 fungal β-tubulin genes showed that intron location was generally characteristic of the fungal class, with euascomycete fungi showing particularly striking conservation of intron position, although intron number was variable and intron sequences showed little conservation.
Genetic Variation among and within United States Collard Cultivars and Landraces as Determined by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

A collection of collard ( Brassica oleracea L. , Acephala group) germplasm, including 13 cultivars or breeding lines and 5 landraces, was evaluated using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and compared to representatives of kale (Acephala group), cabbage (Capitata group), broccoli (Italica group), Brussels sprouts (Gem- mifera group), and cauliflower (Botrytis group). Objectives were to assess genetic variation and relationships among collard and other crop entries, evaluate intrapopulation variation of open-pollinated (OP) collard lines, and determine the potential of collard landraces to provide new B. oleracea genes. Two hundred nine RAPD bands were scored from 18 oligonucleotide decamer primers when collard and other B. oleracea entries were compared. Of these, 147 (70%) were polymorphic and 29 were specific to collard. Similarity indices between collard entries were computed from RAPD data and these ranged from 0.75 to 0.99 with an average of 0.83. Collard entries were most closely related to cabbage (similarity index = 0.83) and Brussels sprouts entries (index = 0.80). Analysis of individuals of an OP cultivar and landrace indicated that intrapopulation genetic variance accounts for as much variation as that observed between populations. RAPD analysis identified collard landraces as unique genotypes and showed them to be sources of unique DNA markers. The systematic collection of collard landraces should enhance diversity of the B. oleracea germplasm pool and provide genes for future crop improvement.
PADRÃO DE METILAÇÃO DOS GENES IGF2 E XIST EM OVÓCITOS ORIUNDOS DE FOLÍCULOS PRÉ-ANTRAIS DE VACAS NELORE (Bos taurus indicus)

In order to increase productivity looking for maximum use of genetic material available, various reproductive biotechnologies have been developed and used. Despite the fact that the oocytes obtained from preantral follicles have not been able to produce embryo yet, they are a very important source of gametes to be used in vitro of embryos. It is necessary to understand the epigenetics reprogramming that occurs in these oocytes when there is a future possibility of use of these oocytes obtained from preantral follicles for embryo production. This study focus on evaluating the methylation pattern in a DMR of the last exon of IGF2 gene in oocytes of 65-90 μm, and of exon 1 of the XIST gene in oocytes ≤ 20 μm, and 65-90 μm obtained from preantral follicles. For the IGF2, the oocytes from secondary follicles ends of 65-90 μm presented 31,09 ± 31,01% of methylation, and for the XIST, the oocytes of primordial follicles ≤ 20 μm, and the oocytes of secondary follicles ends of 65-90 μm presented 15,17 ± 32,82% and 4,6 ± 3,46% respectively. The IGF2 was hipomethylated and being analysed by the literature data, it is observed that this region of the gene suffer a reprogramming process during oogenesis. The XIST presented a demethylation process throughout the development of the oocyte tending to remain until fertilization. In conclusion, these two genomic regions suffers an epigenetic reprogramming process during gametegenesis.
Feeding behaviour of omethoate-resistant spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae): a study using electrical penetration graphs

Abstract The feeding behaviour of omethoate-resistant and susceptible strains of the spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) on cowpea leaves was studied by electrical penetration graph (EPG). EPG waves of the mite feeding were divided to two forms, the high frequency (7.7–8.7 Hz) and low frequency waves (2.4–3.0 Hz), representing feeding and non-feeding behaviour respectively. The average duration of feeding periods was not significantly different between resistant and susceptible mites. However, the amplitudes of feeding waves were significantly greater in pesticide-resistant mites than susceptible mites.
Pharmacognostical Evaluation Study on Crotalaria juncea Linn

This paper deals with the detailed pharmacognostical evaluation of the Crotalaria juncea L. (Fabaceae). Morphology of the entire plant have been studied with the aim to aid pharmacognostic and taxonomic species identification using light and confocal microscopy, WHO recommended physio-chemical, morphological and histological parameters presented in this paper may be proposed as parameters to establishes the authenticity of Crotalaria juncea L.and can possibly help to differentiate the drug from its other species /varieties.
G Protein &bgr;&ggr; Subunits Stimulate p114RhoGEF, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RhoA and Rac1: Regulation of Cell Shape and Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Abstract— Rho GTPases integrate the intracellular signaling in a wide range of cellular processes. Activation of these G proteins is tightly controlled by a number of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). In this study, we addressed the functional role of the recently identified p114RhoGEF in in vivo experiments. Activation of endogenous G protein-coupled receptors with lysophosphatidic acid resulted in activation of a transcription factor, serum response element (SRE), that was enhanced by p114RhoGEF. This stimulation was inhibited by the functional scavenger of G&bgr;&ggr; subunits, transducin. We have determined that G&bgr;&ggr; subunits but not G&agr; subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins stimulated p114RhoGEF-dependent SRE activity. Using coimmunoprecipitation assay, we have determined that G&bgr;&ggr; subunits interacted with full-length and DH/PH domain of p114RhoGEF. Similarly, G&bgr;&ggr; subunits stimulated SRE activity induced by full-length and DH/PH domain of p114RhoGEF. Using in vivo pull-down assays and dominant-negative mutants of Rho GTPases, we have determined that p114RhoGEF activated RhoA and Rac1 but not Cdc42 proteins. Functional significance of RhoA activation was established by the ability of p114RhoGEF to induce actin stress fibers and cell rounding. Functional significance of Rac1 activation was established by the ability of p114RhoGEF to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by activation of NADPH oxidase enzyme complex. In summary, our data showed that the novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor p114RhoGEF regulates the activity of RhoA and Rac1, and that G&bgr;&ggr; subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins are activators of p114RhoGEF under physiological conditions. The findings help to explain the integrated effects of LPA and other G-protein receptor-coupled agonists on actin stress fiber formation, cell shape change, and ROS production.