Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Buckwheat Species as Summer Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in No-Tillage Vegetable Cropping Systems

Abstract Buckwheat is a broadleaved annual species that is often used as a summer cover crop for its quick growth, weed suppressive ability, and ease of management. Tartary buckwheat is a species related to buckwheat, with many of the same traits valued in buckwheat as a cover crop. However, Tartary buckwheat has been reported to grow more vigorously than buckwheat, especially in cool conditions, which might fill a unique niche for vegetable farmers in Wisconsin and other northcentral states. Our research objectives were to determine the effectiveness of Tartary buckwheat relative to buckwheat for weed suppression, both during the cover-cropping phase and after cover-crop termination during cabbage production, and quantify weed suppression, soil compaction, soil nitrogen availability, and cabbage yield in no-tillage (roller-crimped or sickle-bar mowed) and conventional-tillage (rototilled) systems. Across three site-years, we found that buckwheat emerged earlier and produced 64% more shoot dry biomass than Tartary buckwheat. Pretermination weed shoot biomass (predominantly Amaranthus and Setaria spp.) in Tartary buckwheat treatments was approximately twice that of buckwheat, and did not differ from weed shoot biomass in a control fallow treatment. Cabbage yield did not differ between cover crop species nor did yield differ between conventional-tillage cover cropped and control fallow treatments. However, weed biomass was greater, and cabbage yield was reduced, in no-tillage compared to conventional-tillage treatments. We also found evidence of greater soil compaction and less nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N) availability in no-tillage than conventional-tillage treatments. These results suggest that Tartary buckwheat is not a suitable summer cover crop alternative to buckwheat for weed suppression prior to cabbage production. Nomenclature: Cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench; Tartary buckwheat, Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.
Effects of Salinity Stress on the Structure of Bundle Sheath and Mesophyll Chloroplasts in NAD-Malic Enzyme and PCK Type C4 Plants

Abstract The effect of NaCl stress on the structure of leaf chloroplasts was investigated in several NAD-Malic enzyme (NAD-ME) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) type C4 plant species. Seedlings of the monocot species, except Zoysia japonica, grown in 300 mL pots were subjected to salt stress by adding 50 mL of 3% NaCl solution per day to the soil for 5 d after the fourth leaf blades were fully developed. Z. japonica and the dicot species, Amaranthus tricolor, were also treated with 3% NaCl in a similar manner from 5 wk after germination. Salt stress negatively affected the growth, chlorophyll content and chloroplast structure in all the species. At the ultrastructure level, swelling of thylakoids and disruption of envelopes were more or less observed in mesophyll cell (MC) chloroplasts after salt treatment. The structure of bundle sheath cell (BSC) chloroplasts, on the other hand, was hardly damaged under salt condition although stromal and starch areas were considerably decreased. Furthermore, salinity induced granal development in BSC chloroplasts in most species; the number of thylakoids per granum, granal indices and appressed thylakoid density in salt-treated plants were generally higher than those in control. Since the similar responses have also been reported in all NADP-ME type C4 species investigated in our previous study, the high sensitivity to salt stress in MC chloroplasts and the granal development in BSC chloroplasts by salinity were considered to be common phenomena in all three C4 subtypes.
Effect of potassium deficiency on the plasma membrane H+‐ATPase of the wood ray parenchyma in poplar

The effect of K + deficiency on the plasma membrane (PM) H + -ATPase was studied in young stems of poplar plants (Populus tremula x tremuloides) grown with low or full-strength K + supply. Immunological assays using different antibodies were applied to test if K + deficiency affects the amount of immunodetectable PM H + -ATPases in the stem tissue. The monoclonal antibody clone 46 ES B11 revealed an increased abundance of PM H + -ATPases under conditions of low K + supply, and immunolabelling experiments showed that this increase was restricted to vessel-associated cells (VACs) of the wood ray parenchyma. Replacement of the monoclonal antibody by a polyclonal antibody against PM H + -ATPase gave a specific immunoreactivity on blots as well as tissue sections too, but the labelling intensity showed no difference between plants with low or full-strength K + supply Measurements of extracellular H + concentrations using non-invasive, H + -selective microelectrodes revealed a lowering of the pH at the surface of VACs and an enhancement of net efflux of H + in plants grown with low K + supply. The present results indicate an up-regulation of specific isoforms of the PM H + -ATPase in VACs under K + -deficient conditions and suggest a key role for these PM H + -ATPases in unloading K + from the xylem stream.
Alterations which occur in mossy terminals of the cerebellum following transection of the brachium pontis

The different oral expressions of opinion concerning the significance which may be attached to observations upon experimentally . induced secondary degeneration of axon terminals of the central nervous system suggest that the distinction between genuine degenerative changes and artifacts resulting from the procedure of silver impregnation remains a controversial issue. If irrefutable evidence of a sequence of secondary degenerative changes in such axons terminals, demonstrable constantly by one or another reduced silver method, could be obtained, the application of the method to the manner of termination of fiber tracts would be of considerable importance
Age and Reproductive Success in Female Lesser Snow Geese: Experience, Senescence and the Cost of Philopatry

We studied age-related reproductive success in female lesser snow geese Chen caerulescens caerulescens, using data from the breeding colony at La Perouse Bay, Manitoba, 1973-88. We assessed age-specific variation in both individual components of reproductive success and their cumulative product using individuals aged 2-19 years. The composite measure of reproductive success increased among birds 2-6 years of age. Increased reproductive success over these ages was due to significant increases in clutch size and gosling survival and significant reductions in probabilities of total nest and total brood failure. After age 6, the composite measure of reproductive success declined significantly
GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION AND BOTTLENECK STUDIES IN KATHIAWARI HORSE BREED OF INDIA

To assist the conservation efforts and breeding strategies, the first genetic characterization of the Kathiawari breed of horse was undertaken and 24 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 50 unrelated Kathiawari horses. The observed heterozygosity for the Kathiawari breed was 0.6509 ± 0.1874 with the expected heterozygosity of 0.6448 ± 0.1544. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.166 ± 1.493 while polymorphism information content was 0.591. Wright’s fixation index, F IS (0.1155 + 0.0252) indicated high level of heterozygote deficiency which suggested a high level of inbreeding. This basic study indicated the existence of substantial genetic diversity in the Kathiawari horse population. Significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium was detected across the population, suggesting evidence of linkage between loci. A normal ‘L’ shaped distribution of mode–shift test, non-significant heterozygote excess on the basis of different models, as revealed from Sign, Standardized differences and Wilcoxon sign rank tests as well as non-significant M ratio value suggested that there was no recent bottleneck in the existing Kathiawari breed population, which is important information for equine breeders. This study also revealed that the Kathiawari, a Indian horse breed can be differentiated from some other exotic breeds of horses on the basis of these microsatellite primers.
Understanding landholder management of river frontages: The Goulburn Broken

Summary In this paper we discuss the findings of research exploring landholder adoption of practices expected to improve the management of river frontages. This research was part of a larger project undertaken by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) to assess the impacts of grazing on the condition of riparian zones in the GBCMA region. Our research employed a postal survey to a random selection of all river frontage owners in the GBCMA. Research findings highlighted the limited adoption of most current recommended practices (CRP) such as watering stock off-stream and fencing to manage stock access to river frontages. Higher adoption of CRP (in particular fencing) was correlated with greater knowledge of river frontage function and factors affecting river frontage condition; higher importance attached to the environmental, social and economic values of frontages; non-farming occupations; and higher confidence in the efficacy of CRP. These findings have important implications for managers and scientists. There has been a large investment in community education in the GBCMA and survey findings suggest this has been an effective strategy. At the same time, there should be changes in the approach to community education. It seems there is much to be done to improve the acceptability of fencing frontages along large rivers. Appeals to adopt CRP also need to move beyond a narrow focus on farmers and the benefits of increased agricultural production and embrace the range of landholders and the different values they attach to their frontages. Most respondents had no on-property profit and survey data indicated that financial constraints were an important factor limiting the adoption of CRP, particularly among farmers. There was considerable interest in taking up a grant scheme that would provide a higher level of support than is usually offered by government. These findings highlight the important role of economic incentives in assisting private landholders undertake conservation work along river frontages.
Antisense-Mediated Depletion of Tomato Chloroplast Omega-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase Enhances Thermal Tolerance

A chloroplast-localized tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene (LeFAD7) was isolated and characterized with regard to its sequence, response to various temperatures, and function in antisense transgenic tomato plants. The deduced amino acid sequence had four histidine-rich regions, of which three regions were highly conserved throughout the whole ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene family. Southern blotting analysis showed that LeFAD7 was encoded by a single copy gene and had two homologous genes in the tomato genome. Northern blot showed that LeFAD7 was expressed in all organs and was especially abundant in leaf tissue. Meanwhile, expression of LeFAD7 was induced by chilling stress (4 °C), but was inhibited by high temperature (45 °C), in leaves. Transgenic tomato plants were produced by integration of the antisense LeFAD7 DNA under the control of a CaMV35S promoter into the genome. Antisense transgenic plants with lower 18:3 content could maintain a higher maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and O2 evolution rate than wild-type plants. These results suggested that silence of the LeFAD7 gene alleviated high-temperature stress. There was also a correlation between the low content of 18:3 resulting from silence of the LeFAD7 gene and tolerance to high-temperature stress. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao)
Body condition does not predict immunocompetence of western pond turtles in altered versus natural habitats

Many authors have addressed the relationship between body condition and ecological parameters in a wide range of studies, suggesting a better fitness in those individuals with higher values of body condition. However, body size and body condition of individuals can vary significantly at the intraspecific level between geographic locations, which is usually explained by phenotypic plasticity or local adaptation. We suggest that a higher body condition per se might not be a good indicator of physiological health status, particularly when comparing populations inhabiting places with different levels of habitat alteration. We examined two populations of the western pond turtle Emys marmorata in the northern part of California's Central Valley, and found that individuals inhabiting a water pollution control plant located on the valley floor had significantly larger body size and higher body condition than those inhabiting an unaltered natural habitat in the foothills. However, turtles from the water pollution control plant did not show a better health status, estimated by comparisons between two immune system variables: T‐cell‐mediated immune response and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Parameters such as body size and body condition might be misleading indicators of health condition, particularly when they are used to estimate health status of populations from habitats with different levels of alteration. We emphasize the importance of using physiological methods in assessing the conservation state of wildlife populations, rather than relying on biometric indices that might miss important effects of alteration.
Local movements and population density of Water Rails Rallus aquaticus in a small inland reedbed

The elusive behaviour and preference for dense aquatic vegetation has resulted in a lack of information regarding most aspects of Water Rail Rallus aquaticus ecology. This paper reports on the results of a study of Water Rails within a small (0.5 ha) inland reedbed at Newbridge-on-Wye, mid-Wales, during autumn and winter 1993–94. Birds used a substantial proportion of the reedbed (captures made 30–¸60 m apart), occupying home ranges which appeared to overlap, although different individuals nevertheless favoured different areas of the reedbed. Evidence is presented that the site was deserted during a period of freezing weather, but that birds re-occupied their original home ranges upon their return. Frequent trapping of birds also permitted an estimation of absolute population density (14 birds per ha), a figure much higher than previously recorded at other sites where birds were counted only indirectly. These data indicate that trapping can yield valuable information on aspects of the ecology of this litt.
Neotypification of Solidago × niederederi (Asteraceae)

Solidago × niederederi Khek (1905: 22) (Asteraceae) was described by Khek (1905) as a natural hybrid between S . canadensis Linnaeus (1753: 878) and S . virgaurea Linnaeus (1753: 880). The hybrid was discovered by Niedereder in the area of Stoder (Austria) in the beginning of the twentieth century. It is morphologically more or less intermediate between the presumed parents, especially in characters such as capitula size, leaf shape and venation (Khek 1905, Nilsson 1976, Karpavicienė & Radusienė 2015). Moreover, it is characterized by reduced pollen viability, and produces only very few well-developed achenes (Nilsson 1976, Migdalek et al . 2014, Karpavicienė & Radusienė 2015). According to the protologue (Khek 1905) the pappus is absent in the hybrid (“Pappus fehlend”), however, I noticed the pappus in all examined generative specimens of the hybrid from Poland. The parental species of S . × niederederi belong to different taxonomical sections: S . canadensis is a member of S. sect. Unilaterales Don in Loudon (1830: 348), and S . virgaurea is a member of S. sect. Solidago Linnaeus (1753: 878) (Nesom 1993). The hybrid has been reported from several countries in Europe: Austria, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia (Nilsson 1976, Burton 1980, Sunding 1989, Mayorov et al . 2012, Pliszko 2013 and literature cited therein, Karpavicienė & Radusienė 2015). It is usually found in anthropogenic habitats together with both parental species, and its presence emphasizes the invasive character of S . canadensis (Pliszko 2013).
Population Status of White Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia River within Canada

Abstract The subpopulation of white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River between Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam and the U.S.-Canada border has been identified as endangered, with nearly 30 consecutive years of consistent recruitment failure. The objectives of this study were to determine the status and population attributes of this subpopulation. We estimated survival rates and abundance using catch-curve analysis and mark-recapture models. An annual survival rate of 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88-90%) was estimated for the subpopulation using catch-curve analysis for the time period 1993-2004. The survival rates estimated from the mark-recapture data were obtained using model-averaged parameter estimates from a multistrata Cormack-Jolly-Seber model. The annual survival rate from the mark-recapture model was estimated at 97% (95% CI, 92-99%) from 1993 to 2004. The mark-recapture methods estimated abundance for 2004 to be 1,157 individuals (95% CI, 414-1,900). The .
Mechanical Regulation of Terminal Chondrocyte Differentiation via RGD-CAP/β ig-h3 Induced by TGF-β

RGD-CAP (βig-h3), initially cloned as a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β inducible gene in human lung adenocarcinoma cells, was demonstrated to have a negative regulatory function in mineralization in hypertrophic chondrocytes, and the expression was shown to be associated with mechanical stimulation. We hypothesized that mechanical stimulation may regulate the terminal chondrocyte differentiation through the TGF-β pathway by enhancing the RGD-CAP expression. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of mechanical strain on the terminal differentiation and mineralization of growth-plate chondrocytes and assessed the mechanical regulation of TGF-β and RGD-CAP expression. A cyclic mechanical strain of 12% elongation was applied to the cultured prehypertrophic chondrocytes isolated from the rib cartilage of 4-week-old male rats at 30 cycles/min (loading and relaxation on every alternate second). The terminal differentiation and mineralization of chondrocytes were assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and alizarin red staining. The gene expressions of TGF-β and RGD-CAP, as well as chondrocytic terminal differentiation markers such as type X collagen and ALP, were examined with real-time RT-PCR. Cyclic mechanical strain decreased the ALP activity and intensity of alizarin red staining in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, as well as the gene expressions of type X collagen and ALP. TGF-β and RGD-CAP were upregulated in the prehypertrophic chondrocytes subjected to mechanical strain, whereas the level of PTHrP receptor mRNA was not affected by the mechanical strain. The neutralizing antibody for TGF-β suppressed the reduction of the mineralization of chondrocyte cultures with the downregulation of RGD-CAP. These results suggest that mechanical strain negatively regulates the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes through the signal pathway of TGF-β with the induction of RGD-CAP.
Influence of temperature and moisture on growth, spore production, and conidial germination of Monilinia laxa.

The effect of temperature on mycelial growth and spore production of Monilinia laxa, the brown rot fungus of sweet cherry, was studied in vitro as well as the effect of temperature, moisture, and relative humidity on conidial germination. Mycelial growth was observed at 2.5-30 C. A model was fitted to the data, and the optimum was calculated as 24.8 C. A comparison in a second experiment between observed and predicted growth indicated that diurnal cycles of temperature (3/12 or 101 22 C) did not alter the growth rates compared to growth at constant temperatures. M. laxa produced the highest daily number of conidia at 10 C, with 29.4×10 6 conidia per colony within 15 days. The maximum germination fraction of conidia reached 98% when suspended in deionized water and exposed to 15-25 C [. ]
Assessment of Partial Equi-Protein Replacement of Soyabean Meal with Cassava and Leucaena Leaf Meals in the Diets of Broiler Chicken Finishers

Three hundred and fifty broiler chickens (Anak, 2000) were used to study the effect of partial replacement of soya bean meal (SBM) protein with cassava and or leucaena leaf meals. Diet 1 was the control diet with soyabean meal but no leaf meal. Diets 2 and 3 had 30% and 60% SBM protein respectively replaced with cassava leaf meal (CLM) protein. In diets 4 and 5, 30% and 60% of the SBM protein respectively, were replaced with leucaena leaf meal (LLM) protein. The SBM protein in diets 6 and 7 was substituted at 30% and 60% respectively with 50:50 CLM and LLM protein. The birds were assigned to the experimental diets at 10 birds per replicate and 5 replicates per treatment. The energy to protein ratios of the diets were similar. The response criteria measured were feed intake, weight gain, nitrogen retention, shank and skin pigmentation, selected carcass, organ and muscle characteristics and economics of production. The results showed that weight gain (WG, 52.1±1.00 g/day) and feed intake (134±4.37 g/day) were higher (P 0.05) for birds on the control diet. Shanks of birds on leaf meal diets were more pigmented (P<0.05) than the control. Carcass, organ and muscle characteristics were not affected (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. Cost of feed per kilogram weight gain were similar for broiler on Diets 1, 2 and 6 (x110, x108 and x109 respectively) and highest for Diet 5 (x150). It was concluded that 30% replacement of soyabean meal protein in a 14% soyabean meal ration with cassava (10.50% of diet) or 50:50 cassava and leucaena (9.55% of diet) leaf meal protein would optimize growth performance and economic returns from broiler production especially during periods of high cost and scarcity of soyabean meal.
Differential Expression and Subcellular Localization of Protein Kinase C α, β, γ, δ, and ɛ Isoforms in SH‐SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells: Modifications During Differentiation

Abstract: A decrease in protein kinase C activity caused either by treatment with inhibitors, such as staurosporine or H‐7, or by prolonged exposure to phorbol diesters has been proposed to be involved in the early events of SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cell differentiation. Because eight distinct isoforms of protein kinase C with discrete subcellular and tissue distributions have been described, we determined which isoforms are present in SH‐SY5Y cells and studied their modifications during differentiation. The α, β, δ, and ɛ isoforms were present in SH‐SY5Y cells, as well as in rat brain. Protein kinase C‐α and ‐β1 were the most abundant isoforms in SH‐SY5Y cells, and immunoreactive protein kinase C‐δ and ‐ɛ were present in much smaller amounts than in rat brain. Subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that all four isoforms are distributed bimodally in the cytoplasm and the membranes. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that the α isoform is associated predominantly with the plasma membrane and the processes extended during treatment with 12‐tetradecanoyl‐13‐acetyl‐β‐phorbol or staurosporine, and that protein kinase C‐ɛ is predominantly membrane‐bound. Its localization did not change during differentiation. Western blots of total SH‐SY5Y cell extracts and of subcellular fractions probed with isoform‐specific polyclonal antibodies showed that when SH‐SY5Y cells acquired a morphologically differentiated phenotype, protein kinase C‐α and ‐ɛ decreased, and protein kinase C‐β1, did not change. These data suggest distinct roles for the different protein kinase C isoforms during neuronal differentiation, as well as possible involvement of protein kinase α and ɛ in neuritogenesis.