Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rectal temperature and respiratory rate as indicators of heat tolerance in cattle

1. Rectal temperatures and respiratory rates have been determined in four calves during 5 hr. exposures to ten different hot environments in a climatic room. 2. Among the various parameters based on rectal temperature response, final rectal temperature proved the best for differentiating between the heat tolerance of individual animals. Under conditions of severe heat, where rectal temperature rose almost linearly with time of exposure, tolerance time proved equally suitable. 3. Since initial rectal temperature tended to parallel final rectal temperature, the increase in rectal temperature during exposure did not vary significantly between the animals. Increase in rectal temperature was therefore considered a less suitable measure of heat tolerance. 4. Both the lowest and the highest panting rate were associated with a low heat tolerance. From this, as well as from other observations and considerations, it was concluded that respiratory rate, either alone or in combination with rectal temperature, was an inadequate measure of heat tolerance. 5. A state of high heat tolerance tended to be associated with only a small loss of body weight during exposure to heat, but showed no relation to body weight itself. 6. The order of heat tolerance of the four animals was essentially the same in each of the ten hot environments investigated. It was inferred that within the range of temperatures employed in this study the degree of severity of the heat stress was not an important factor in the discrimination of heat tolerance.
Prediction of seed longevity: a modification of the shape of the Ellis and Roberts seed survival curves

Abstract The prediction of the viability of stored seeds is important both for the management of germplasm collections and for the management of commercial seed production and storage. The Ellis and Roberts model for seed viability during storage is examined, and an inadequacy of the model highlighted. A modification is proposed, based on the ‘control mortality’ probit model developed for insecticide bioassays, to take proper account of variation in initial viability. This new ‘control viability’ model, relating seed viability to storage time, is fitted to data from a carrot seed storage experiment and found to fit well for a range of storage environments. A relationship, similar to that proposed by Ellis and Roberts for the effects of storage conditions on the rate of loss of viability, is fitted to the estimated rates from this new model. Data from a second carrot seed storage experiment are used to validate this relationship.
Impact du relief et des circuits semenciers locaux sur la diversité agro-morphologique du blé dur (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) dans la vallée d’Er Rich – Imilchil (Maroc)

La diversite phenotypique de 101 populations locales de ble dur issues des oasis de montagnes de l’Atlas oriental (Maroc) a ete etudiee. Neuf caracteres (morphologiques et agronomiques) ont ete mesures sur les 3030 lignees (30 lignees par population). Les frequences de chaque classe phenotypique ont ete utilisees pour l’estimation et l’analyse de la diversite, en considerant les zones geographiques d’origine et les gradients d’altitude. L’indice de diversite de Shannon-Weaver (H’) a montre une forte variabilite pour l’ensemble des caracteres consideres. Cet indice varie d’une zone a une autre et d’une classe d’altitude a une autre. Le H’ moyen obtenu pour l’ensemble des zones est de 0,62, indiquant la presence d’un degre eleve de polymorphisme au sein des populations locales de ble dur collectees. Les resultats de l’analyse en composantes multiples ainsi que de la classification hierarchique ont montre que la proximite geographique et l’altitude jouent un role majeur dans la discrimination ainsi que sur la structuration des populations de ble dur etudiees. Les informations recueillies a partir de ces resultats peuvent etre exploitees dans des programmes de selection conventionnels et de conservation in situ de la diversite. Mots cles: Populations locales, diversite phenotypique, structuration, conservation in situ, ble dur (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum). Abstract Phenotypic diversity of 101 durum wheat landrace populations collected from the oasis of the Oriental Atlas Mountains (Morocco) was studied. Nine characters (morphological and agronomic) were measured on the 3030 lines (30 lines per population). The frequencies of each phenotypic class were used for the estimate and the analysis of diversity, by considering the geographical zones of origin and the gradients of altitude. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) showed a wide variability for all considered traits. This index varies from one area to another and from one altitudinal class to another. The mean H’ recorded for all areas was 0.62, indicating the presence of a high degree of polymorphism among the studied durum wheat landrace populations. The results of the multiple component analysis and the hierarchical clustering showed that the geographical proximity and altitude play a main function in the discrimination and the structure of the studied durum wheat populations. The information gathered from this study could be used in conventional breeding programs and in situ conservation of the diversity.
Spatial environmental variation affects seed survival and germination in artificial seed banks in a Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae) metapopulation1

Abstract Peroni, P. A. (Department of Biology, Box 7118, Davidson College, NC 28035). Spatial environmental variation affects seed survival and germination in artificial seed banks in a Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae) metapopulation. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 139: 290-298. 2012. —This study was conducted to determine the effects of time and spatial environmental heterogeneity on the survival and germination of artificial Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae) seed banks. Replicate packets of Silene latifolia seeds were buried at depths of 5 cm at five randomly selected locations at each of two sites located within a southwestern Virginia metapopulation. Samples of seeds from each site and location within site were exhumed periodically over a 3.5 yr period and examined for germination during burial. Seeds that had remained intact during burial were placed into growth chamber germination trials. Thirty-six to 59% of seeds remained intact (i.e., not germinated) and viable at the end of the 3.5 yr period. Germination during burial represented the primary avenue of loss from the seed bank and varied significantly among locations within sites for the 2.5 and 3.5 yr exhumations, and between sites at the 3.5 yr exhumation. The results suggest that appreciable proportions of buried Silene latifolia seeds are able to remain intact, but viable in the study environments over a 3.5 yr period. Germination during burial accounted for most losses from the seed bank, and varied significantly among locations within sites, which suggests that the ability of Silene latifolia seed banks in this metapopulation to serve as demographic buffers for local populations may be highly dependent on local environmental factors. Spatial environmental variation in seed bank persistence could contribute to the development or maintenance of genetic structuring within both local populations and the metapopulation.
The Effect of Predator Age and Prey Defense on the Functional Response of Podisus maculiventris Say to the Density of Hyphantria cunea Drury

Abstract Experiments were designed to find the functional response (response per predator) of the pentatomid Podisus maculiventris to the population density of larvae of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The response was measured in confined universes, (glass jars), representing webworm nests, and it was found permissible to vary universe size, within certain limits, in order to obtain a wide range of prey densities without handling large numbers of larvae. The “disc equation” proposed by Holling (1959) was found to describe the response curves, except at very high prey densities, and to provide a satisfactory biological explanation for their decreasing slopes. P. maculiventris ingests about 84% of its own weight for each fifth-instar larva of H. cunea attacked successfully, and the time spent in feeding and becoming hungry enough to make another attack reduces very substantially the time devoted to searching activities. Both prey defense (Fig. 1) and the age of the adult predator (Fig. 2) have very important effects on the functional response curves and on the values of the parameters, a and b, of the disc equation. These effects are explained. The “rate of discovery”, a, is contrasted to Nicholson's (1933) “area of discovery” and it is shown why the former is more likely to be independent of prey density than the latter. In view of the population of webworm larvae in the average nest, it is concluded that the functional response of the various predators inside the nest is probably not important, and that attention should be devoted instead to the functional and numerical responses of predators and parasites to the density of nests per unit area. Because of the vigorous defense exhibited by fifth-instar webworm larvae, predation by timid predators like P. maculiventris is selective and larvae whose development is delayed by parasitism are likely to suffer more predation than healthy larvae.
Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of Anterastes (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniinae): evolution within a refugium

Çıplak, B. (2004). Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of Anterastes (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniinae): evolution within a refugium. —Zoologica Scripta, 33, 19–44.
Effects of STS and 1-MCP on Flower Opening and Lifespan of Potted Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Exported to Japan

This study was conducted to determine the effects of silver thiosulfate (STS) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on flower opening and lifespan of potted Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Oriba’ for exportation. Ethylene inhibitors, STS and 1-MCP were applied to the kalanchoe plants prior to their export to Japan. STS 0.5 mM with 1% Tween 20 surfactant was directly sprayed (20 ㎖ per plant) to leaves, buds, and flowers and 1-MCP 100 nL? l? ¹ was injected into sealed glass chambers containing kalanchoe plants, which were placed on the chambers for 6 hours. After transport to Japan, the plants were immediately transferred to a simulated retail condition room (80 μ㏖ㆍ? ²ㆍs? ¹ for 12 hours of photoperiod at 22℃ and 64% RH) at Toyko University. The numbers of buds, open florets, and wilted florets in the middle inflorescence for each plant were counted right after export, 1 week after export, and 6 weeks after export. The percentages of open florets and wilted florets were calculated from the numbers. STS treatment resulted in 35% more open florets than the control and only 11% of wilted florets at 6 weeks after export to Japan which indicate the extension of lifespan of potted kalanchoe plants. Meanwhile, the plants exposed to 1-MCP before export did not show any significant differences in the numbers of buds and open florets and the percentages of open and wilted florets compared to control plants. In conclusion, STS 0.5 mM treatment strikingly induced better opening florets and lifespan of kalanchoe plants from 1 week to 6 weeks after export than control.
Virus-Like Particles in an Ultra-Oligotrophic Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) seasonal studies of concentrated water samples from Sproat Lake, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, revealed numerous polygonal virus-like particles of variable size (60–200 nm). These particles (ca. 107/mL) were either free-living or associated with host picoplankters. Negative staining of living samples provides clear evidence of early stages of phage–picoplankton interactions. These phages display a six-sided head (ca. 90 nm dia.) with a distinct appendage (ca. 200 nm) or striated tail (ca. 130 nm). Viruses with dense matrices, deprived of envelopes or occurring as empty shells were found in the marginal area of invaded cells. Morphological changes such as invagination of the photosynthetic lamellae with the appearance of 'virogenic stroma' or with disruption of the cell membrane and the cell wall are described. Comments on the possible functional significance of viral agents in the biology and ecology of host cells are presented.
What the direction of matings can tell us of hybridisation mechanisms in ducks

Abstract Interspecific hybridisation is common amongst birds and is associated with diverse costs and benefits. Several mechanisms are thought to promote hybridisation, including heterospecific mate choice, species recognition errors and interspecific forced copulations. Discriminating between these mechanisms is often problematic due to difficulties in observing interspecies copulations in the wild. The directionality of hybridisation may, however, provide some insights into which mechanisms are operating. For example, matings may be unidirectional when females prefer to mate with heterospecific males with a specific trait, such as higher dominance or a supernormal stimulus. In contrast, bidirectional hybridisation is more likely when other mechanisms, such as heterospecific imprinting as a result of brood mixing, are operating. We here characterise the direction of matings between Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) x Pacific Black Duck (A. superciliosa) hybrids. By sequencing a fragment of the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, we show that hybridisation occurs bidirectionally between these species. This suggests that a female preference does not exist in both species for a specific male trait of only one species. We suggest that errors in species recognition are improbable and that heterospecific mate choice, possibly due to brood mixing, may more likely promote hybridisation between Grey Teals and Pacific Black Ducks.
Responses of woody vegetation to exclusion of large herbivores in semi‐arid savannas

The Nkuhlu large-scale long-term exclusion experiment in Kruger National Park was designed to study the long-term effects of large herbivores on vegetation. One treatment excludes elephants, another excludes all herbivores larger than hares and another one comprises an open, control area. Vegetation monitoring was imple- mented in 2002 when a baseline survey was conducted prior to exclusion. Monitoring was repeated 5 years after exclusion. Data from the surveys were analysed to establish how structure and composition of woody vegetation had changed 5 years after herbivore exclusion. The analysis showed that neither plant assemblage nor mean vegetation height had changed significantly since exclusion. However, both species richness and density of woody plants increased 5 years after exclusion of all large herbivores, but not after the exclusion of elephants alone. One already common species, Dichrostachys cinerea, became more common after excluding all large herbivores compared with either no exclusion or elephant exclusion, possibly leading to competitive suppression of other species. Species other than D. cinerea tended to either increase or decrease in density, but the changes were insufficient to induce significant shifts in the overall assemblage of woody plants. The results indicate that after 5 years of exclusion, the combined assemblage of large herbivores, and not elephants alone, could induce changes in species richness and abundances of woody plants, but the effect was so far insufficient to induce measureable shifts in the assemblages of woody plants. It is possible that assemblages will change with time and increasing elephant numbers may amplify future changes.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Bemisia tabaci

Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a haplo-diploid species with a global distribution demonstrating strong geographical structure with eight recognizable genetic groups. Fifteen microsatellite loci (335 alleles, 6-44 alleles per locus) were derived from four of the eight groups and were then screened across 33 populations. These loci clearly differentiate the populations. The microsatellites amplified best in individuals from genetic groups representing the Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia (three groups) and Australasia/Oceania and amplified less well with populations from sub-Saharan Africa and the New World. This differential amplification pattern is a direct result of the relatedness to the microsatellite source material.
A New Species of Listrura from Laguna dos Patos System, Brazil: The Southernmost Record of the Glanapteryginae (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

Listrura depinnai, new species, is described from a small swampy area belonging to Laguna dos Patos system, Municipality of Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. It occurs within the wildlife reserve Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Banhado dos Pachecos, and represents the southernmost record of the glanapterygine catfishes. The new species is easily distinguished from remaining Listrura by having the following putative autapomorphies: the region below the midline of flank covered by several spots (vs. unpigmented or with a slender row of small spots); the caudal peduncle at procurrent-ray folds deeper than the preanal portion of body (vs. approximately the same depth); and the presence of a conspicuous intumescence adjacent to the posterodorsal margin of the pectoral-fin base (vs. swelling slight or absent). Putative phylogenetic positions of Listrura depinnai are herein discussed. Listrura depinnai, espécie nova, é descrita de uma pequena área alagada pertencente ao sistema da Laguna dos Patos, Município de Viamão, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil. A espécie ocorre dentro da unidade de conservação Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Banhado dos Pachecos, e representa o registro mais ao sul dos bagres glanapterigíneos. A nova espécie é facilmente distinguida das demais espécies de Listrura pelas possíveis autapomorfias a seguir: região abaixo da linha mediana do flanco coberta por várias pintas (vs. despigmentada ou com uma faixa de pequenas pintas); pedúnculo caudal na região das membranas dos raios procurrentes mais alto do que a porção pré-anal do corpo (vs. aproximadamente a mesma altura); e presença de uma conspícua intumescência adjacente à margem póstero-dorsal da base da nadadeira peitoral (vs. levemente inchada ou ausente). Possíveis posições filogenéticas de Listrura depinnai são aqui discutidas.
Impact of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and High Pressure on Lipoxygenase and Peroxidase Activity

The effects of sapercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO 3 ) treatment and high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD) were studied. Hydrostatic pressure treatment (240 MPa, 55 °C, 15 min) of LOX and POD in 30% sucrose solutions without buffer led to approximately 80% and approximately 50% residual activity, respectively. Application of ScCO 2 (35.2 MPa, 40 °C, 15 min for LOX and 62.1 MPa, 65 °C, 15 min for POD) achleved approximately 35% LOX and approximately 65% POD inactivity in 30 % sucrose solutions, Total inactivation of LOX (10.3 MPa, 50 °C and 15 min) and of POD (62.1 MPa, 55 °C and 15 min) could be achieved through ScCO 2 treatment of unbuifered solution, Increasing the concentration of sucrose and buffering (pH range 4 to 9) of enzyme solutions resulted in increased resistance of the enzymes to ScCO 2 treatment.
Integrating Biomarker Outcomes into Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome

The NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) and the European Horizon 21 Consortium are collecting critical new information on the natural history of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) biomarkers in adults with Down syndrome (DS), a population genetically predisposed to developing AD. These studies are also providing key insights into which biomarkers best represent clinically meaningful outcomes that are most feasible in clinical trials. This paper considers how these data can be integrated in clinical trials for individuals with DS. The Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Consortium — Down syndrome (ACTC-DS) is a platform that brings expert researchers from both networks together to conduct clinical trials for AD in DS across international sites while building on their expertise and experience.
11803 - Germinação e crescimento de plântulas de alfazema-brasileira tratadas com homeopatia Phosphorus

Aloysia gratissima popularmente denominada alfazema-brasileira, tem suas folhas e inflorescencias usados no preparo de expectorantes e sua principal descricao etnofarmaco-botânica relata sua eficacia em infeccoes bronquicas, afeccoes pulmonares, alem de possuir acao antimicrobiana. A homeopatia e um sistema terapeutico natural que estimula o sistema de defesa dos organismos visando o equilibrio. Neste estudo o objetivo foi verificar o efeito de 10 dinamizacoes da homeopatia Phosphorus sobre a emergencia e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de alfazema-brasileira. Observou-se o efeito positivo da homeopatia Phosphorus sobre a germinacao (21CH) e crescimento de A. gratissima, com as dinamizacoes 21CH e 24CH aumentando a massa da parte aerea.
The agronomic effectiveness of reactive phosphate rocks 3. A comparison of application strategies for soluble phosphorus and reactive phosphate rock fertilisers

Summary. An investigation into the effectiveness of large (up to 80 kg P/ha), single dressings (capital applications) of different phosphorus (P) fertilisers, compared with smaller annual applications, was undertaken in the National Reactive Phosphate Rock Project. Yield comparisons were made at 23 permanent pasture sites across Australia using triple superphosphate, the highly reactive North Carolina phosphate rock and a partially acidulated form of North Carolina rock. Over 4 years, 19 of 23 sites showed no significant reduction in mean annual pasture yield with a single, large dressing applied in year 1 only, compared with an equivalent amount of total P applied in 4 annual applications. At a site in North Queensland, where the initial soil P level was very low, the large year-1 application of each fertiliser resulted in increased pasture production over that obtained from smaller annual applications because of increased pasture production in the early years. This amounted to an annual increase of between 1500 and 3000 kg dry matter/ha for the capital application strategy. The effectiveness of capital applications depended on soil, pasture and climatic conditions, and on the type of P fertiliser. Soil and environmental factors which appear to be important in determining the effect of capital applications are whether soils allow leaching of P (a function of rainfall and texture), whether they are P-sorbing (a function of clay content and soil mineralogy), the soil P content and how quickly it is being utilised by the pasture. Capital applications can be considered where P is not leached from the soil profile or where P sorption is low, and are most effective where soil P is low and there is a responsive pasture species present. Capital applications of water-soluble P fertiliser should not be considered on free-draining, low P-absorbing soils. Average annual pasture dry matter losses of about 2000 kg/ha occurred with a capital application of triple superphosphate compared with annual applications, at one such site in Tasmania. North Carolina phosphate rock was found to be the most effective P fertiliser for large capital applications, especially on free-draining, low P-absorbing soils.