Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A time for every season: soil aggregate turnover stimulates decomposition and reduces carbon loss in grasslands managed for bioenergy

A primary goal of many next‐generation bioenergy systems is to increase ecosystem services such as soil carbon (C) storage and nutrient retention. Evaluating whether bioenergy management systems are achieving these goals is challenging in part because these processes occur over long periods of time at varying spatial scales. Investigation of microbially mediated soil processes at the microbe scale may provide early insights into the mechanisms driving these long‐term ecosystem services. Furthermore, seasonal fluctuations in microbial activity are rarely considered when estimating whole ecosystem functioning, but are central to decomposition, soil structure, and realized C storage. Some studies have characterized extracellular enzyme activity within soil structures (aggregates); however, seasonal variation in decomposition at the microscale remains virtually unknown, particularly in managed ecosystems. As such, we hypothesize that temporal variation in aggregate turnover is a strong regulator of microbial activity, with important implications for decomposition and C and nitrogen (N) storage in bioenergy systems. We address variation in soil microbial extracellular enzyme activity spatially across soil aggregates and temporally across two growing seasons in three ecosystems managed for bioenergy feedstock production: Zea mays L. (corn) agroecosystem, fertilized and unfertilized reconstructed tallgrass prairie. We measured potential N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase (NAG), β‐glucosidase (BG), β‐xylosidase (BX), and cellobiohydrolase (CB) enzyme activity. Aggregate turnover in prairie systems was driven by precipitation events and seasonal spikes in enzyme activity corresponded with aggregate turnover events. In corn monocultures, soil aggregates turned over early in the growing season, followed by increasing, albeit low, enzyme activity throughout the growing season. Independent of management system or sampling date, NAG activity was greatest in large macroaggregates (>2000 μm) and CB activity was greatest in microaggregates (<250 μm). High microbial activity coupled with greater aggregation in prairie bioenergy systems may reduce loss of soil organic matter through decomposition and increase soil C storage.
Direct Organogenesis from Rhizome Explants in Marsilea quadrifolia L.: A Threatened Fern Species

An efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed for Marsilea quadrifolia L. through direct organogenesis. The mature rhizomes were used as explants and successfully sterilized using 0.1% HgCl2 for the establishment of cultures. The multiple shoots were differentiated from the explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with 6-benzylaminopurin (BAP). Full strength MS medium was reported to be effective for the induction of sporophytes from the rhizomes after four weeks of inoculation. Maximum response (96%) with average of 6.2 shoots (2.72 cm length) was achieved on full strength of MS medium augmented with 0.5 mg/L BAP in culture initiation experiments. The cultures were further proliferated in clusters ( shoots per explant) with stunted growth on half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/L BAP after four weeks. These stunted shoots were elongated (5.30 cm long) on half MS medium devoid of growth hormones. Root induction and proliferation (3.0–4.0 cm long) were observed after 4th subculture of sporophytes on hormone-free half strength MS medium. The rooted plantlets were hardened in the fern house for 4-5 weeks and transferred to the field with 92% survival rate. There were no observable differences in between in vivo grown and in vitro propagated plantlets in the field.
Life History Patterns of Polychaete Species of the Family Spionidae

The reproductive morphology and larval development in Spionidae has been dealt with extensively by Soderström (1920), Hannerz (1956), Orrhage (1964). Simon (1967), Blake (1969) and Rice (1980). The family shows a considerable variation in gamete morphology, modes of sperm transfer and types of larval development. One might also expect variability in features of the life history patterns, such as the life span, reproductive age, reproductive cycles and fecundity, both between and within species. Previous population studies on spionids include the work on populations of Polydora ciliata (Johnston) (Dorsett, 1961); (Daro & Polk, 1973), on populations of Scolelepis squamata (Müller) (Joyner, 1962); (Richards, 1970), on a population of Scolecolepides viridis (Verrill) (George, 1966) and on a laboratory reared population of Malacoceros cf. fuliginosus (Guérin, 1973). The present paper is an attempt to analyse the patterns of life history as they appear in littoral populations of Spio martinensis Mesnil, Polydora ciliata (Johnston), Pygospio elegans Claparede and Malacoceros fuliginosus (Claparède) at localities in N. E. England. The main features considered here are the changes in the size (age) distributions, the annual cycles of reproduction, the output of offspring and population density changes. The Spio species in the population at Black Middens, North Shields, which is referred to S. martinensis Mesnil (1896) in this paper, was previously referred to S. filicornis (Müller, 1776) by Brady (1943). This species is identical to Mesnil's species, both in morphology and with regard to known biological features, while S. filicornis differs from it morphologically and its distribution pattern (Hannerz, 1956; Rasmussen, 1973; Wolff, 1973, Gudmundsson, in preparation).
Effects of Acute Cadmium Exposure on the Pituitary Gland of Podarcissicula

Reptiles are rarely used in studies on the possible toxic effects of heavy metals even if they are susceptible to the accumulation of persistent pollution due also to their presence in a variety of habitats. Cadmium is a heavy metal, a significant environmental pollutant and an endocrine disruptor. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the cytotoxic effects of cadmium on the pituitary gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula after an acute exposure to this metal. The analysis were carried out after 2, 7 and 16 days following the intraperitoneal injection of a single and massive dose of cadmium chloride. The pituitary glands were analyzed by histological and immuhistochemical stains. Besides cadmium accumulation in brain was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cadmium concentration increased in lizard brain lightly after 2 days and widely after 16 days. The tissue of the pituitary gland appeared slightly atrophied in a few areas only at 7 and 16 days after treatment. Moreover an increase in intensity of immunostaining and occurrence of some adenohypophyseal cells was revealed respect to control lizards. This evidence suggests an inhibitory effect of cadmium on the normal hormonal secretion. Evidently an acute cadmium exposure in P. sicula involves the accumulation of this metal in the brain but also the alteration of the normal endocrine function of the pituitary gland.
Effects of selenium and vitamin E and night or day feeding on performance of Holstein dairy cows during hot weather

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the selenium-vitamin E and night time or day time feeding on performance of Holstein dairy cows in heat stress. A total of 20 Holstein dairy cows (86±10 days postpartum and 600±20 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial design and received a ration according to National Research Council (NRC) 2001 formulation. All dairy cows were divided into four groups, two groups were fed day time (5 cows for each group) and two groups were fed night time. One group from each day time and night time feeding groups was injected intramuscularly with 10 ml from a solution of selenium-vitamin E (each ml contains 0.5 mg selenium as sodium selenite and 50 mg vitamin E as dl-α-tocopheryl acetate) every 2 week. Night time feeding with selenium-vitamin E group was observed to have higher feed intake (kg DM/day), milk yield and milk persistency than other treatments (p>0.05). Night time feeding group had a higher dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/weight metabolic) than day time feeding group (p 0.05). The respiration rate for day time feeding group was observed to be higher than night time feeding group (p>0.05). Also blood plasma parameters, NH3-N and pH of rumen fluid were not affected by the treatments. Although night time feeding with selenium-vitamin E group in comparison of other treatments had no significant effect on milk production, DMI, blood plasma parameters, rumen fluid and physiologic condition, but it seems the performance of dairy cow for night time feeding with selenium-vitamin E can alleviate the effects of heat stress. Key words: Dairy cows, heat stress, day time feeding, night time feeding, selenium-vitamin E.
A novel approach to the determination and identification of Juncus × diffusus Hoppe and J. × kern-reichgeltii Jansen & Wacht. ex Reichg.

The identity of J. inflexus L. , J. effusus L. and J. conglomeratus L. have had a rather chequered past. The differences are now relatively well documented and there is less confusion, though there are still misidentifications, particularly in the latter two species. The hybrids Juncus effusus × J. inflexus (J. × diffusus Hoppe) and J. effusus × J. conglomeratus (J. × kern-reichgeltii Jansen & Wacht. ex Reichg.) present further difficulties in their identification. The former hybrid has been accepted for some time, but the latter has always been a difficult plant to identify with any certainty. Also, J. × kern-reichgeltii is said to be a fertile hybrid and therefore backcrossing (introgression) is likely with no certain recognition or distinctions that include the potentially introgressed individuals. This article aims to present information that may be useful in the determination of these 5 taxa using morphological and anatomical characteristics. In J. × kern-reichgeltii using both morphological and anatomical characters, there is evidence for hybrids and introgression; ultimately, these characters provide a more critical determination of not only the parent taxa, but also of their hybrids.
Hieracium portlandicum (Asteraceae), a new endemic hawkweed from the Isle of Portland, England related to Hieracium leyanum

A new species of hawkweed is described. Hieracium portlandicum differs from H. leyanum, within which it was previously included, in being less hairy, and in having narrower, acute, light greyish-green, less hairy involucral bracts. It is a triploid apomict. Hieracium leyanum is a tetraploid apomict. Hieracium portlandicum is endemic to the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England, where it occurs on Portland Limestone rocks, and on soils derived from it. 103 plants are currently known from two sites, and a comparison against historical data indicates that it is declining. It is ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN Threat Criteria. Some distribution data are also given for H. leyanum which is ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Threat Criteria. A lectotype for H. pollinarium var. platyphyllum on which H. leyanum is based is designated from Wales.
Use of technical and economical parameters for evaluating dairy cow ration efficiency

The aim of this study was the development of a model for evaluating dairy cow ration efficiency. This model took into account technical, metabolic, and economic parameters, which were divided into two main categories: input and output. Feeding (food administered and its nutritional characteristics) was considered as the input parameter. The output indicators were directly or indirectly correlated with feeding, and included: quality and quantity of milk, body condition score, live weight, reproductive parameters, incidence of animal diseases (laminitis), undigested fraction, fecal consistency, feed efficiency (FE), and income over feed cost (IOFC). The model was validated using ten dairy farms located in the northwest of Basilicata. The farms were divided into two groups (A and B) as a function of the urea level in bulk milk. In Group A, the urea level was between 25 and 31 mg/100 mL milk, whereas, in Group B, the range was 21-22.5 mg/100 mL milk. The model showed that the values of reproductive parameters were worse in Group A than in Group B. However, the Group A showed better milk qualitative and quantitative characteristics, such as a high average production per head (28.15 vs 26.93 kg), and a high fat (3.92 vs 3.71%) and protein (3.53 vs 3.37%) content of bulk milk. Moreover, the highest values of FE (1.45 vs 1.35 kg milk/kg dry matter) and IOFC (6.07 vs 5.32 €) were found in Group A. The model clearly showed that the administration of unbalanced rations, based on the physiological stage of the animals, negatively affected both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of milk, as well as the reproductive performances. The administration of unbalanced rations for the energy/protein content caused dysmetabolic syndromes, which led to a reduction of both FE and IOFC. This, ultimately, caused a fall in the overall farm profitability.
Análise da distribuição volumétrica de pontas de pulverização hidráulicas de jato plano

The volumetric distribution pattern is an important parameter for the spray nozzle selection. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the volumetric distribution of ceramic and plastic flat fan hydraulic spray nozzles, with different nominal flows, under different work pressures and heights on the test table (patternator). In a controlled atmosphere, the following parameters were determined: the flow, the distribution profíle and the coeffícient of variation of the nozzle Recepção/Reception: 2006.02. 10 Aceitação/Acception: 2007.04. 09 * Engenheiro Agrícola, D. S. , Professor, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, CEP 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil. E-mail: jpcunha@iciag.ufu. br REVISTA DE CIÊNCIAS AGRÁRIAS 234 distribution. The volumetric distribution uniformity of the evaluated nozzles was influenced by the nominal flow, by the liquid pressure, and by the working height. In a general way, the nozzles presented satisfactory distribution uniformity, working with pressure of 300 kPa and 50 cm of height. Key-words: application technology, spray nozzles, distribution patterns, pesticides.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction: Applications in Diagnostic Microbiology

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the detection of DNA and RNA. Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) is becoming the gold standard test for accurate, sensitive and fast diagnosis for a large range of infectious agents. Benefits of this procedure over conventional methods for measuring RNA include its sensitivity, high throughout and quantification. RT-PCR assays have advanced the diagnostic abilities of clinical laboratories particularly microbiology and infectious diseases. In this review we would like to briefly discuss RT-PCR in diagnostic microbiology laboratory, beginning with a general introduction to RT-PCR and its principles, setting up an RT PCR, including multiplex systems and the avoidance and remediation of contamination issues. A segment of the review would be devoted to the application of RT-PCR in clinical practice concentrating on its role in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
Phylogeny, Species Delimitation, and Recombination in Sphagnum Section Acutifolia

Abstract Nucleotide sequences for six nuclear loci and one chloroplast region were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships in Sphagnum section Acutifolia. The combined data matrix, which includes 136 accessions (129 ingroup taxa and seven outgroups) and 5126 nucleotide sites, was analyzed using Bayesian inference. Most of the individual morphospecies commonly recognized in the section were represented by multiple populations, in some cases by up to 16 accessions from throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Results of the combined seven-locus analysis resolved many of the species as monophyletic, but the deeper nodes were generally without support. Separate analyses of single-locus data sets revealed significant conflicts, indicating gene flow among both closely and more distantly related species within the section. The sequence data allowed likely parentage to be identified for several species of hybrid origin, and identified individual accessions that appear to be genetic admixtures. Taxonomic conclusions that can be made from the analyses include: 1. Sphagnum wulfianum and S. aongstroemii should both be included in section Acutifolia, 2. S. subtile cannot be separated from S. capillifolium, and the two should be synonymized, 3. S. capillifolium and S. rubellum each contain a monophyletic core of populations and should be retained as separate species, but 4. S. rubellum cannot be separated from S. andersonianum and S. bartlettianum and the three should be merged, 5. S. tenerum is highly differentiated from S. capillifolium and should be treated as a separate species, 6. interspecific mixed ancestry is demonstrated for S. russowii (a likely allopolyploid), S. skyense, S. arcticum, and S. olafii. Interspecific recombination appears to be rather common in section Acutifolia, yet species, for the most part, maintain cohesiveness.
Identification of quantitative trait loci for agronomic traits contributed by a barley (Hordeum vulgare) Mediterranean landrace

Abstract. Some Spanish barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces perform better than modern cultivars at low-production sites. The objective of this study was to identify favourable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for interesting agronomic traits contributed by the landrace SBCC073. To achieve this objective, a population of 100 BC1F5 lines was derived from the cross between the elite cultivar Orria, with high productivity, and the Spanish landrace SBCC073, which was the best performer in low-production trials. The population was evaluated in field trials for 3 years (2011, 2013, and 2014) in Zaragoza, Spain. The population was genotyped with a DArTseq genotyping-by-sequencing assay. A genetic linkage map was developed by using markers of four flowering-time genes and 1227 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of good quality. The genetic map resulted in 11 linkage groups, covering a total distance of 871.1 cM. Five QTLs for grain yield were detected on 2H.1, 4H, 5H and 6H.2. Alleles from SBCC073 contributed to increased yield in three of them. A region at the end of chromosome 5H contains favourable alleles for early vigour, higher grain yield and earlier flowering, all derived from SBCC073. Alleles from Orria contributed to increasing grain yield and simultaneously to reducing plant height on the same region of 6H.2, and to increasing 1000-kernel weight on chromosomes 3H and 5H.
siRNA as a new drug: intellectual property

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for gene function analysis and drug discovery research. In this process, small interfering RNA (siRNA) silences the expression of a specific protein, which is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the sequence of the siRNA. The reproducibility, specificity and magnitude of the silencing effect have stimulated a fast adoption of this process as the method of choice to study loss-of-function phenotypes and validate drug targets. In addition, siRNA may offer promise as a new drug. For successful application as a therapeutic, stability in the biological environment and efficiency of target cell entry of siRNA need to be addressed. This review describes scientific literature and patents (applications) related to the use of RNAi and innovations on siRNA stability and invivo delivery to target cells.
Phylogeny of Rhus (Anacardiaceae) Based on Sequences of Nuclear Nia-i3 intron and Chloroplast TrnC-trnD

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis of Rhus (Anacardiaceae) was conducted using nuclear and chloroplast sequences. The nuclear (Nia-i3) and chloroplast (trnC-trnD) sequence data generated in this study were compared with previously published phylogenies of Rhus based on nuclear ribosomal ITS data and chloroplast trnL-F and ndhF sequences. The Nia-i3 data provided more parsimony-informative characters than ITS; the trnC-trnD data provided the most parsimony-informative characters among three chloroplast markers. All data sets support the monophyly of Rhus. Within Rhus, nuclear data support the monophyly of subgen. Lobadium and the monophyly of subgen. Rhus. Chloroplast data suggest a paraphyletic subgenus Lobadium with R. microphylla and R. rubifolia of subgen. Lobadium placed within subgen. Rhus. Rhus coriaria and R. michauxii of subgen. Rhus also have discordant positions in cpDNA and nuclear trees. Each species with discordant positions (R. coriaria, R. microphylla, R. michauxii and R. rubifolia) has a single allele or different alleles of the same species forming a monophyletic group in the nuclear ITS and Nia-i3 data. Incongruence among nuclear and chloroplast datasets, together with the phylogenetic positions, sympatric distributions, and morphological intermediacy of discordant taxa, suggest possible reticulate evolution among members of Rhus.
ECHOLOCATION OF FLYING INSECTS BY THE BAT, CHILONYCTERIS PARNELLII

1. Insect pursuits by C. parnellii can be divided into search, approach, and terminal phases.2. C. parnellii, using pulses of about 21 msec. in duration, appears to detect insects initially by pulse-echo overlap. This sets the maximum range of detection at about 3.8 m. and presumably requires the use of high intensity pulses.3. Recognized behavioral changes (increased pulse duration) occur at about 3.3 m.4. Following detection, pulse duration increases until pulse-echo overlap exceeds 17-8 msec.5. Pulse-echo overlaps of 18-21 msec. characterize the pursuit from 2.1 to 0.8 m. after which shortening of pulse duration an closing omnthe imnect sharply reduce pulse-echo overlap to about 7.5 msec. at 0.1 m.6. Interpulse intervals range from about 20 to 60 msec. during the approach phase but shorten abruptly to about 2.5 msec. in the terminal phase.7. Several speculative interpretations of the factors controlling pulse repetition rate are discussed. Speculative views of the uses of pulse-echo overlaps of 20 mse.