Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance against Pissodes strobi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in severed leaders and in a water-soluble bark extract of Picea sitchensis (Pinaceae): evidence for a post-ingestive mode of action

Abstract The levels of ovarian growth and transcription of the vitellogenin gene were compared in Pissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding on severed leaders from susceptible and resistant Picea sitchensis (Bong) Carr (Pinaceae) and in weevils given a dose of an aqueous extract from the bark of such leaders. A force-feeding method was developed to deliver the extracts into the alimentary canal of the weevils. Weevils given one dose of the aqueous extract from resistant leaders, followed by feeding on sections of laterals from susceptible trees, exhibited a 60% inhibition of oocyte growth relative to insects given the extract from susceptible leaders. In similar experiments, transcription of the vitellogenin gene of the weevils was inhibited by about 48%. Transcription of the vitellogenin gene was reduced by about 60% in weevils feeding on the severed leaders from the resistant clone relative to those feeding on severed leaders from susceptible trees. Results indicate that these effects of resistance do not require an intact tree. Experiments using extracts show that the observed effects result from a post-ingestive effect of the extract. Résumé Nous avons comparé la croissance ovarienne et la transcription du gène de la vitellogénine chez des Pissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) se nourrissant de pousses terminales coupées de Picea sitchensis (Bong) Carr (Pinaceae), sensibles ou résistantes, et chez des charançons qui avaient reçu une dose d’extrait aqueux d’écorce de ces pousses. Une méthode de gavage a été mise au point pour introduire les extraits d’écorce dans le canal alimentaire des charançons. Les charançons qui avaient reçu une dose d’extrait d’écorce de pousses terminales résistantes et qui avaient ensuite été nourris de sections de pousses terminales latérales sensibles, ont vu la croissance de leurs oocytes diminuer de 60% comparativement aux insectes qui avaient reçu de l’extrait de pousses sensibles. Dans d’autres expériences du même type, la transcription du gène de la vitellogénine de charançon a été inhibée d’environ 48%. La transcription du gène était réduite d’environ 60% dans le cas de charançons nourris de pousses terminales coupées du clone résistant plutôt que de pousses coupées d’arbres sensibles. Les résultats indiquent que ces effets de la résistance se manifestent même si les arbres ne sont pas intacts. Les expériences démontrent que les effets observés résultent de l’action de l’extrait après l’ingestion. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Developing DNA barcoding (matK) primers for marama bean [ Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber]

DNA barcoding is based on the premise that a short standardized DNA barcoding sequence can distinguish individuals of a species because the genetic variation between species exceeds that within species. Information on genetic variation of breeding materials helps to maintain genetic diversity and sustains long term selection gain. This information is a prerequisite for the genetic improvement of any plant species for effective use of germplasm in breeding and for conservation. Marama bean [ Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber] is found in the arid, dry parts of Southern Africa and due to the high nutrient value of the seeds and tubers, richness in protein, oil and starch, it is a potential crop for arid areas where few conventional crops can survive. The effective conservation and use of marama bean genetic resources for domestication involves investigating the extent of genetic variation. The matK gene, formerly known as orfK, is emerging as a DNA barcoding gene with potential contribution to plant molecular systematics and evolution. The gene matK, approximately 1500 base pairs (bp), is believed to code for a maturase-related protein based on structural similarities to other such genes. This gene was investigated for potential contribution in genetic variation studies of marama bean and also establishing a barcode for T. esculentum . The matK gene was amplified in marama bean and we reported herein, the first record of sequences of this gene for the species that were found to be related to other legume matK sequences deposited in GenBank. The homology found with Tylosema fassoglensis (trnK gene) and Pisum sativum (matK gene) suggests that an identical region was amplified for Tylosema esculentum . A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the matK sequences and the results suggest that the matK region can also be used in determining levels of genetic variation and for barcoding. Key words : Marama bean, DNA barcoding, genetic variation, maturase kinase.
RAPID IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF ALOE VERA L. WITH SOME GROWTH REGULATORS USING LATERAL SHOOTS AS EXPLANTS

Aloe vera L. is as old as civilization and through history it has been used as a popular folk medicine. Considering it’s medicinal and commercial (such as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food industries) importance it is also known as “wonder herb” or “miracle herb”. After looking through its increasing demand, there is a global need to develop quality plant material. In present investigation, an efficient in vitro propagation technology was developed for a rapid and large scale production of Aloe vera L. by using lateral shoots (suckers) from the mature healthy and approximately 5-6 year old parent plant. After proper sterilization all the explants were micropropagated on MS basal medium supplemented with 3% sucrose as carbon source and 0.8% agar-agar as solidifying agent along with different growth regulators, singly or in combinations for shoot initiation, proliferation, elongation and rooting. Shoot initiation and elongation both were found best on 4.0 mg/l BAP & 0.2 mg/l NAA and for root proliferation and elongation 2.0 mg/l IBA & 1.0 mg/l NAA were found best.
Micropropagation of `Norton' Winegrape

A method has been developed for micropropagation of the difficult-to-root winegrape cultivar ‘Norton’ (Vitis aestivalis). Plants were established in vitro from axillary bud cuttings of field-grown plants. Four levels of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and three levels of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were tested in a factorial arrangement for their effectiveness in promoting multiplication of shoots from single-node explants. Three levels of NAA and two concentrations of Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium were tested for their effectiveness in promoting rooting of shoot tips. The greatest number of shoots per axillary bud in combination with the greatest shoot length were produced with 4 μmol·L-1 [0.90 mg·L-1 (ppm)] BA. NAA had no effect on shoot multiplication. NAA was not required for in vitro rooting. All rooted plants survived the transition to soil.
Development of two multiplex PCRs for microsatellite analysis in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra)

Riassunto Allestimento di due PCR multiple per l’analisi di popolazioni di Camoscio delle Alpi (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) mediante marcatori microsatelliti. Allo scopo di elaborare un protocollo per l’analisi della struttura genetica di popolazioni di camosci italiani dell’arco alpino, sono stati individuati 16 microsatelliti già utilizzati per gli ungulati selvatici e mappati su cromosomi diversi in capra, pecora e bovino. Sulla base di analisi preliminari condotte su un ristretto numero di campioni dodici marcatori sono risultati sufficientemente polimorfi nel camoscio e coamplificabili. Per automatizzare le analisi e ridurre i tempi sono state messe a punto due PCR multiple con cui sono stati analizzati 42 campioni provenienti da differenti colonie. L’elevato contenuto informativo dei marcatori coamplificati dimostra che le due PCR multiple sono strumenti utili nelle indagini di genetica di popolazione nel camoscio.
The photosynthetic response of American chestnut seedlings to differing light conditions

Restoration attempts to reintroduce American chestnut trees to the eastern deciduous forest by means of a disease-resistant Chinese–American hybrid seed are in progress. Knowing the light conditions required for optimum seedling performance is necessary to maximize the success of reintroduction. American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh. ) seedlings were planted in two replicate forests in Vinton County, Ohio, in areas that had been thinned (more available light) and in control areas (intact canopy, less available light). The photosynthetic capacity of 12 seedlings per treatment was assessed using an infrared gas-exchange analyzer. Seedlings in the thinned treatment reached light-saturating rates of photosynthesis at an irradiance level approximately 33% higher than did the seedlings in the control treatment. Seedlings grown in the thinned treatment had a significantly greater maximum rate of photosynthesis (Amax), dark respiration rate (Rd), and daily carbon gain per seedling than seedlings grown.
Genetic parameters and genetic trends for age at first calving and calving

Genetic parameters and genetic trends for age at first calving and calving 1 interval in an Angus-Blanco Orejinegro-Zebu multibreed cattle population in 2 Colombia 3 O.D. Vergara, M.A. Elzo, M.F. Cerón-Muñoz 4 5 Grupo de Genética y Mejoramiento Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, 6 Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia 7 Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, 8 Colombia 9 Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 326110910, 10 USA 11 12 Abstract 13 Genetic parameters and genetic trends for age at first calving (AFC), interval 14 between first and second calving (CI1), and interval between second and third 15 calving (CI2) were estimated in a Colombian beef cattle population composed of 16 Angus, Blanco Orejinegro, and Zebu straightbred and crossbred animals. Data were 17 analyzed using a multiple trait mixed model procedures. Estimates of variance 18 components and genetic parameters were obtained by Restricted Maximum 19 Likelihood. The 3-trait model included the fixed effects of contemporary group (year20 season of calving-sex of calf; sex of calf for CI1 and CI2 only), age at calving (CI1 21 and CI2 only), breed genetic effects (as a function of breed fractions of cows), and 22
Movements and swimming speed of narwhals, Monodon monoceros, equipped with satellite transmitters in Melville Bay, northwest Greenland

Positions were obtained for up to 100 days from nine narwhals, Monodon monoceros, representing both sexes and all age categories instrumented with satellite-linked UHF radio transmitters in Melville Bay (76°03′06″N, 61°14′90″W), northwest Greenland, in August – September 1993 and 1994. In both years all nine narwhals stayed within Melville Bay during the open-water portion of the tracking period. Most of the coastal positions obtained were inside the Melville Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The narwhals also moved up to 100 km offshore to areas where water depths exceed 1000 m. There was no discernible relationship between tide and the movements of whales. By early to mid-October, the narwhals left Melville Bay and started migrating southwards along the continental slope, where water depths range from 500 to 1000 m. This southward movement ceased some 700 km farther south in late November, still in water with depths of 500–1000 m. The mean swimming speed of the whales during September varied between 2.9 and 8.2 k.
Comparison of Detection Rates of Breeding Marsh Birds in Passive and Playback Surveys at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota

Abstract We compared detection rates of passive and playback breeding bird survey techniques on elusive marsh birds--Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), and Sora (Porzana carolina)--during a two-year study at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, in southwestern South Dakota. We conducted 151 passive point counts followed by playback-response surveys at the same points in marsh-bird habitat on the refuge. Playback surveys detected secretive water birds more frequently than our passive surveys, increasing rates for each species by factors of 2.4 to 7.0. The distance a bird was detected from a point varied with the species and the survey technique.
Altering aquatic food webs with a global insecticide: arthropod–amphibian links in mesocosms that simulate pond communities

Abstract Pesticides play a critical role in maximizing yields of economically important crops and minimizing the human health threats of disease-carrying pests, but they often have collateral effects on nontarget species. We used a mesocosm study to address how the most commonly used insecticide in the USA, malathion, applied at low, ecologically relevant concentrations (20 and 110 µg/L) affects species interactions in aquatic communities. Unlike many community ecotoxicology studies, our study assessed how malathion affects both consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of predators. We also considered how the vertical distribution of predator cues and malathion (caused by potential stratification) affects species interactions. We found no evidence for vertical stratification of malathion, a result suggesting that exposure to the pesticide was uniform throughout the water column. Malathion was lethal to some primary consumers (cladocerans) at both concentrations and to top predators (dragonflies) at the highest concentration (110 µg/L). These lethal effects initiated density-mediated indirect effects in both cases. Malathion also may have decreased dragonfly foraging efficiency, resulting in increased tadpole survival (trait-mediated indirect effect), which decreased the resources used by tadpoles (periphyton). Collectively, our results show that malathion alters species interactions. However, we suggest that the degree to which pesticides affect aquatic communities will depend strongly on the species composition of communities. Therefore, the community-level consequences of pesticide exposure are likely to vary across the ecological landscape.
Functional group and fertilization affect the composition and bioenergy yields of prairie plants

Prairies used for bioenergy production have potential to generate marketable products while enhancing environmental quality, but little is known about how prairie species composition and nutrient management affect the suitability of prairie biomass for bioenergy production. We determined how functional‐group identity and nitrogen fertilization affected feedstock characteristics and estimated bioenergy yields of prairie plants, and compared those prairie characteristics to that of corn stover. We tested our objectives with a field experiment that was set up as a 5 × 2 incomplete factorial design with C3 grasses, C4 grasses, legumes, and multi‐functional‐group mixtures grown with and without nitrogen fertilizer; a fertilized corn treatment was also included. We determined cell wall, hemicellulose, cellulose, and ash concentrations; ethanol conversion ratios; gross caloric ratios; aboveground biomass production; ethanol yields; and energy yields for all treatments. Prairie functional‐group identity affected the biomass feedstock characteristics, whereas nitrogen fertilization did not. Functional group and fertilization had a strong effect on aboveground biomass production, which was the major predictor of ethanol and energy yields. C4 grasses, especially when fertilized, had among the most favorable bioenergy characteristics with high estimated ethanol conversion ratios and nongrain biomass production, relatively high gross caloric ratios, and low ash concentrations. The bioenergy characteristics of corn stover, from an annual C4 grass, were similar to those of the biomass of perennial C4 grasses. Both functional‐group composition and nitrogen fertility management were found to be important in optimizing bioenergy production from prairies.
Subcellular compartmentation of elements in non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal roots of Pinus sylvestris: an X-ray microanalytical study. II. The distribution of calcium, potassium and sodium

The inter- and intracellular distribution of the elements calcium, potassium and sodium in non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal roots of Pinus sylvestris dependent on different external nutrient supply conditions was detected by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis after cryofixation, freeze-drying and pressure infiltration of the material. In non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal roots, calcium was mainly detectable in the apoplastic regions. The levels in vacuoles and cytoplasm were near the limits of detection by X-ray microanalysis. Incubation with high concentrations of potassium and sodium, or mycorrhizal infection with Suillus bovinus and Pisolithus tinctorius reduced the amounts of calcium detectable in the roots, especially in the apoplast of cortical cells. The studies revealed that: potassium is mainly localized in cytoplasm and cell walls; the cytoplasmic content is regulated over a wide range of external potassium concentrations; potassium levels in the inner parts of roots are higher than in the outer parts. Mycorrhizal infection with Suillus bovinus had no effect on the inter- and intracellular distribution of potassium in roots but, if the external supply was low, the potassium content in shoots was reduced. In non-mycorrhizal pine roots and those infected with Paxillus involutus an increase in the sodium content of all cell compartments was observed after treatment with high external concentrations of NaH2PO4. However, an increase in sodium content in mycorrhizas of S. bovinus was not detected. The X-ray microanalytical results are discussed in relation to the apoplastic movement of nutrients in non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal fine roots of pine and to the demand for these nutrients in different intracellular compartments.
Surface water ponding on clayey soils managed by conventional and conservation tillage in boreal conditions

Surface water ponding and crop hampering due to soil wetness was monitored in order to evaluate the effects of conservation tillage practices and perennial grass cover on soil infiltrability for five years in situ in gently sloping clayey fields. Thirteen experimental areas, each having three experimental fields, were established in southern Finland. The fields belonged to: autumn mouldboard ploughing (AP), conservation tillage (CT) and perennial grass in the crop rotation (PG). In the third year, direct drilled (DD) fields were established in five areas. Excluding PG, mainly spring cereals were grown in the fields. Location and surface area of ponded water (in the spring and autumn) as well as hampered crop growth (during June-July) were determined in each field by using GPS devices and GIS programs. Surface water ponding or crop hampering occurred when the amount of rainfall was clearly greater than the long-term average. The mean of the relative area of the ponded surface water, indicating the risk of surface runoff, and hampered crop growth was larger in the CT fields than in the AP fields. The differences between means were, however, not statistically significant. Complementary soil physical measurements are required to investigate the reasons for the repeated surface water ponding.
MAXIMUM SWIM SPEEDS OF CAPTIVE AND FREE-RANGING DELPHINIDS: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE

Research into dolphin swimming historically was guided by false assumptions pertaining to maximum speed. Accurate measurements on swimming speed and duration of effort of free-ranging dolphins are rare. To examine the variance of maximum swimming speeds, nearly 2,000 speed measurements were obtained for both captive and free-ranging dolphins, including Tursiops truncatus, Pseudorca crassidens, Delphinus capensis, and Delphinus delpbis. Measurements were made from videotapes of dolphins trained to swim fast around a large pool or jumping to a maximum height, videotapes of captured wild dolphins immediately after release, and sequential aerial photographs of a school of free-ranging dolphins startled by a passing airplane. Maximum horizontal speeds for trained animals were 8.2 m/sec for T. truncatus, 8.0 m/sec for D. delphis, and 8.0 m/sec for P. crassidens. Maximum speeds for T. truncatus swimming upwards, prior to vertical leaps ranged from 8.2 to 11.2 m/sec. Wild T. truncatus demonstrated a maximum speed of 5.7 m/sec. Maximum swimming speed of free-ranging D. capensis responding to multiple passes by a low flying airplane was 6.7 m/sec. There was no evidence that the freeranging dolphins have superior swimming capabilities to captive animals. The results of this study imply that realistic maximum swimming speeds for dolphins are lower than previous reports which were based on sparse data and imprecise measurement techniques.
A note on the supplementation of low-protein, maize-soya-bean meal diets with lysine, tryptophan, threonine and methionine for growing pigs

An experiment conducted at two experimental stations was designed to identify the limiting amino acids in maize-soya-bean meal diets with 120 g crude protein per kg given ad libitum to pigs from 20 to 40 kg body weight. The effects of additions of tryptophan and of tryptophan plus threonine in both the presence and absence of added methionine were studied. The responses to supplemental amino acids were not significantly different at the two stations ( P > 0·10). The addition of tryptophan tended to improve growth rate. However, significant improvements in rate and efficiency of gain were not realized until both tryptophan and threonine were added ( P ad libitum to 20-kg pigs appeared to be limiting in lysine, tryptophan, threonine and possibly methionine.
Characterization of Genome Rearrangements from Tumour Sequencing Data

Genome rearrangements are important mutational events in many cancers, and their detection and characterization has the potential to improve treatment options for cancer patients. Evidence of genome rearrangement is available in the sequence of affected DNA and RNA molecules of tumour cells. The development of high-throughput sequencing has drastically increased the efficiency with which researchers can sequence DNA and RNA molecules, though the new technologies have resulted in an increased computational burden, requiring solutions to novel algorithmic problems. In this thesis we describe novel algorithms for detection and characterization of genome rearrangements with specific focus on rearrangements that reshape tumour genomes and impact cancer biology. We describe a method for detecting gene fusions from RNA sequence data (RNA-Seq). Given both RNA-Seq and Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) data, we describe an integrated method for detection of expressed rearrangements, and subsequently extend this method to account for complex genomic rearrangements. Finally, we describe a method for detecting rearrangements existing in subpopulations of tumour cells, and determining the impact on the content of the genome in those subpopulations. The described methods each formulate a maximum parsimony or likelihood optimization problem, and propose combinatorial algorithms to solve these problems. A common theme for the described methods is the benefits of integrating multiple and diverse data-types. We demonstrate using simulated and real data that principled methods for joint analysis of multiple data-types frequently out-perform independent analyses of each data-type. We apply our methods to the detection and characterization of rearrangements in tumour samples, and provide novel examples of events relevant to the biology of each tumour.