Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of Corn Grain Yield to Spatial and Temporal Variability in Emergence

Potential yield benefits from improving within-row plant spacing variability and plant emergence variability in corn (Zea mays L.) production are often questioned by growers. Research was conducted at two locations in south-central Ontario during a 2-yr period to quantify the effects and interactions of plant spacing variability and plant emergence variability on growth and grain yield of corn. Nine treatments were established by hand planting corn rows with repeating six-plant sequences consisting of uniform and nonuniform spacing, even and uneven emergence, and their combinations. Spacing treatments consisted of (i) uniform within-row plant spacing of 20 cm; (ii) one 40-cm gap associated with a double; and (iii) one 60-cm gap associated with a triple in each six-plant sequence. Emergence treatments included uniform early emergence, a two-leaf stage delay, and a four-leaf stage delay for one plant in each six-plant sequence. Only plant emergence variability significantly affected plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation, and grain yield. Compared with the uniformly early emerged plants, one out of six plants with a two-leaf stage delay in emergence reduced yield by 4%, and one out of six plants with a four-leaf stage delay reduced yield by 8%. Whereas corn plants next to a gap demonstrated compensatory growth, plants adjacent to a late emerging corn plant did not exhibit compensatory growth. These results indicate that corn is more responsive to plant emergence variability than plant spacing variability. Variation in plant emergence reduced yield, whereas variation in within-row spacing did not affect yield, and interactions between the two factors were not significant.
Phenylacetaldehyde Attracts Moths to Bladder Flower and to Blacklight Traps

The fragrant chemical compound volatilized by the bladder flower, Araujia sericofera Brot. , was identified as phenylacetaldehyde. It attracted many economically important species of moths, and when it was used with a blacklight trap, it increased trap collections of pest moth species by 48%.
Expression of Aux/IAA genes during development of sylleptic and proleptic buds in white poplar

Abstract In this study, the genes of theAux/IAA family were used as functional markers to characterise bud break stages in a white poplar clone. In the first experiment, under greenhouse conditions, the sprouting of repressed sylleptic buds was obtained by pruning the shoot tip during growing season. Buds were collected at 0, 6, 24 and 48 h after pruning for molecular analyses. A decrease in transcript level ofIAA4 andIAA8 genes was observed in the first and second bud below the cut after 6 and 24 h, respectively. In the second experiment, bud break of post-dormant proleptic buds was induced by forcing in climatic chamber. The first 6 and the following 6 buds below the apical one were sampled every 48 h during forcing. Anatomical studies were also carried out on buds and plants were equipped with stem and bud radial growth sensors to check their swelling. In both experiments, gene expression patterns showed a decrease and a successive increase in expression ofIAA4 andIAA8 genes during bud break. The transient down-regulation of these genes was observed only in buds that formed new branches. Thus, similar molecular mechanisms are involved in bud break of both sylleptic and proleptic buds.
Feeding behaviour of a virus‐vector leafhopper on host and non‐host plants characterised by electrical penetration graphs

Many sap‐feeders are vectors of plant diseases, acquiring and inoculating pathogens at various stages of the feeding process. In oligophagous species, certain aspects of probing behaviour on hosts and non‐hosts may have implications for the range of both pathogens and plants that can be inoculated. We addressed the question of which probing phases (including ingestion) occur on non‐host plants in the case of the common leafhopper Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). This species is a pest on cereals, a vector of the Wheat dwarf virus, and possible carrier of other pathogens. It is regarded as oligophagous on grasses, but has been reported also on other plant families. In a combined electrical penetration graph (EPG) video observation study, we aimed to give a description of the waveforms during the probing process. EPG recordings were made on a suitable host, barley, Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae), and on two non‐host plants, the sedge Carex tomentosa L. (Cyperaceae) and the ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae). We demonstrated that P. alienus probes on plants other than Poaceae, including dicotyledons. Univariate and multivariate analyses of general probing variables revealed that total and maximal probe durations were shorter and probing progress less advanced on non‐host plants. Waveforms of the pathway phase were stereotypical and statistically not different between the host and non‐host plants. On sedge, the waveform signifying insertion through the plant epidermis was shortened but much more frequent, indicating penetration difficulties and retrials. Most importantly, waveforms indicating phloem ingestion were not present on either of the non‐host plants. Non‐host probing events terminating during the pathway phase suggested that rejection occurred when the stylets were in the mesophyllum. Overall, the EPG signals reflected the unsuitability of A. artemisiifolia and C. tomentosa compared to barley, but the occurrence of probing and the demonstrated level of probing progress imply that pathogen transmission cannot be excluded in the case of many non‐host plants and non‐specific pathogens.
Revisione dei Cleopomiarus della Regione Afrotropicale (Coleoptera Curculionidae)

Viene effettuata la revisione delle specie afrotropicali del genere Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919, che risulta attualmente composto da 23 specie. Sei di queste erano gia state descritte in precedenza del Sudafrica: C. arrogans (Farhaeus, 1871), C. curtus (Farhaeus, 1871), C. plebejus (Rosenschold, 1838), C. seriepilosus (Gyllenhal, 1838), C. suturalis (Gyllenhal, 1838) e C. trivialis (Gyllenhal, 1838), mentre 17 sono nuove per la scienza: C. aduncinasus n. sp. , C. amplithorax n. sp. , C. bicoloratus n. sp. , C. contractus n. sp. , C. echinus n. sp. , C. hystricosus n. sp. , C. ibirostris n. sp. , C . intermedius n. sp. , C. lobeliae n. sp. , C. maldinii n. sp. , C. parvulus n. sp. , C. piriformis n. sp. , C. pusillus n. sp. , C. rhinusoides n. sp. , C. similaris n. sp. , C. sironii n. sp. e C. zebratus n. sp. ; tutte queste specie vivono in Sudafrica e alcune anche in Lesotho, Namibia e Zimbabwe. Esse sono state divise in tre gruppi strettamente correlati fra loro principalmente sulla base della forma di alcuni scleriti dell’endofallo edeagico e della forma della spermateca: gruppo di C. plantarum (Germar, 1824), gruppo di C . graminis ( Gyllenhal, 1813) e gruppo di C. trivialis , i primi due composti anche da specie paleartiche. Di ogni specie vengono forniti una dettagliata descrizione con l’ambito della variabilita, una breve diagnosi in lingua inglese, le note comparative con le altre specie, la distribuzione e le note biologiche quando disponibili, i disegni di habitus, rostro e genitali. E’ infine riportata una chiave dicotomica, sia in italiano che in inglese, per la loro determinazione.
Subtribe Astephaninae (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) Reconsidered: New Evidence Based on cpDNA Spacers

The circumscription of the subtribe Astephaninae has a complex and convoluted history due in part to a scarcity of readily observed distinctive morphological characters. In this study the subtribe Astephaninae, as hitherto defined by morphological characters, is reexamined using sequences of the tmT-L and trnL-F spacer, as well as the trnL intron for 12 of its 15 genera. Eustegia is found to occupy an isolated basal position in the tribe Asclepiadeae, and Schizostephanus is transferred to the Metastelminae. The remaining 10 genera fall into two only distantly related clades of 3 and 7 genera, respectively. The Astephaninae s. str. comprise only 3 South African genera, Astephanus s. str. , Microloma, and Oncinema. The other 7 genera form a well-supported clade, the subtribe Tylophorinae. Both groups comprise only Old World genera. All New World taxa studied, even those that have never been formally excluded from Astephanus, are found in a distinct, well-supported New World Metastelminae clade. Based on the results presented here one of the key characters of the asclepiads-the corona-has been lost independently at least twice: once in the south African Astephaninae, and once in the New World Metastelminae. This once again underscores the extreme lability of this morphologically complex organ, as well as the difficulties in assessing homology in the asclepiads. A corollary classification of the Asclepiadeae is provided as an Appendix.
Estimating past and present sex ratios of sea turtles in Suriname

Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles in Suriname lay eggs over several months of the year. During this nesting season, changes in rainfall produce changes in sand temperature, which in turn influence the sexual differentiation of incubating sea turtle embryos. The overall sex ratio of leatherback and green sea turtle hatchlings produced at Matapica beach in Suriname was investigated. Estimates of the sex ratios of these turtles in 1993 (green turtles 63.8 % female, leatherbacks 69.4 % female) were roughly 10 % more female-biased than those from an earlier study in 1982. For both species, a significant negative relationship was found between monthly rainfall and monthly sex ratios. Using this relationship and data on rainfall in the past, it was possible to estimate overall sex ratios for an additional 12 years. These estimates varied considerably among different years, ranging from 20 to 90% female in the case of green turtles. Nevertheless, males tended to be produced primarily in April and May, while some females were produced in all months. Such seasonal patterns of production of turtles of different sexes have implications for sea turtle conservation programs that involve manipulating or harvesting eggs. RCsumC : Les tortues marines Dermochelys coriacea et Chelonia mydas pondent leurs oeufs pendant plusieurs mois au Suriname. Durant cette saison de nidification, les variations des prCcipitations entrainent des changements dans la tempkrature du sable, ce qui influence la diffkrenciation sexuelle des embryons en incubation. Les rapports miles : femelles des tortues donates des deux espkces ont CtC dCterminCs ii Matapica Beach au Suriname. L'estimation de ces rapports en 1993 (63,8% de femelles chez C. mydas et 69,4% de femelles chez D. coriacea) a rCvClC que les Cclosions ont donnC environ 10% de plus de femelles au cours de cette annCe qu'au cours d'une Ctude antCrieure menCe en 1982. Chez les deux espkces, il existe une relation nCgative significative entre les prCcipitations mensuelles et les rapports miles : femelles mensuels. A partir de cette relation et des donnCes sur les prCcipitations dans le passC, il a CtC possible de faire une estimation des rapports miles : femelles globaux au cours de 12 annCes supplCmentaires. Ces estimations varient fortement d'une annCe ii l'autre, allant de 20 ii 90% de femelles chez C. mydas. NCanmoins, les miles Ctaient plut6t produits en avril ou en mai alors que quelques femelles Ctaient produites tous les mois. De telles variations dans la production des tortues des deux sexes doivent entrer en ligne de compte dans les programmes de conservation des tortues marines dont le protocole comporte des opdrations de manipulation ou de rCcolte d'oeufs. (Traduit par la RCdaction)
Intraguild predation in winter wheat: prey choice by a common epigeal carabid consuming spiders

Predators can provide a valuable ecosystem service by suppressing crop pests. However, intraguild predation, where predators compete for the same prey resource whilst consuming each other, may destabilize population dynamics and increase the risk of pest outbreaks. Very little is known about intraguild predation in open fields or the strengths of trophic links between predators which may negatively affect pest control. We tested the null hypothesis that predation by the epigeal predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on different spiders is species-independent (proportional to density). A combination of population monitoring in winter wheat, molecular identification of juvenile spiders, molecular analysis of predator gut contents and a Monte Carlo simulation model were used to analyse prey choice. Pterostichus melanarius were pitfall-trapped over three months, and 622 individuals were screened for the remains of four spider species. Predation rates on spiders were 43·6% in June and 33·3% in August and showed clear evidence of prey choice. Predation on the web-dependent Tenuiphantes tenuis (Linyphiidae) was significantly greater than predicted from a random choice model, while predation on Bathyphantes gracilis (Linyphiidae) was significantly lower. The beetles may be selecting the most abundant species disproportionately (switching) or responding in some cases to spatial niche separation (T. tenuis locate their webs marginally lower than B. gracilis). However, two itinerant hunters, Erigone spp. (Linyphiidae) and Pachygnatha degeeri (Tetragnathidae), were consumed in proportion to their density. Synthesis and applications. High levels of intraguild predation were revealed using molecular diagnostics. The gut analysis approach provided invaluable data that will inform the future design of appropriate pest management and integrated farming strategies that encourage these predators. The data showed strong evidence of prey choice. Managers can, however, probably encourage high densities of all these known aphid predators (spiders and carabids) because disproportionately high rates of predation on the most common spiders at our field sites (T. tenuis) were not sufficient to prevent strong growth in the density of this species between June and August (adults increased × 1·6 and juveniles × 8·6). Such work is essential if we are to reveal the processes behind functional biodiversity in crops.
Floristic composition and structure of an upper montane cloud forest in the Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain Range of Brazil

ABSTRACT We analyzed the community structure of an upper montane cloud forest (elevation, 1900 m) in the Serra da Man-tiqueira Mountain Range, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Our objective was to determine the comparative tree species richness and floristic diversity within this forest, which is at one of the higher elevations in the range, in relation to surrounding forests that are at lower elevations, adjusting for elevational gradients. Within 15 permanent plots (40 × 10 m each), we tagged all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm, registering their height and diameter. To compare the study area with neighboring cloud forests, we used the Sorensen similarity coefficient and phytosociological parameters. We sampled 1250 individuals distributed among 89 species, 55 genera, and 34 families. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed no gradien ts related to the vegetation or soil. We found that tree species richness and diversity were high in the study ar ea. There was structural and floristic heterogeneity among the communities evaluated, underscoring the importance of conservation of these high-elevation ecosystems, which are so unique and irreplaceable.
Description of a New Species of the Genus Brachytarsophrys Tian and Hu, 1983 （Amphibia： Anura： Megophryidae） from Southern China Based on Molecular and Morphological Data

A new species, Brachytarsophrys popei sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from Mount Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, Taoyuandong Nature Reserve, Hunan Province and Nanling Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be easily distinguished from other known congeners by morphology, morphometrics and molecular data of the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene. It is characterized by its relatively small size with 86.2 mm in snout-vent length in adult female and 70.7 mm–83.5 mm in males; vomerine teeth bearing on two markedly elevated ridges, which projecting behind far beyond the posterior level of the choanae, widely separated by a distance nearly 1.5 times length of one; margin of tongue deeply notched behind; toes about one-third to two-thirds webbed in males, at most one-third webbed in female; the webs extending as a wide fringes along either side of toes; upper eyelid with tubercles, one of which is enlarged and becoming a remarkably prominent, bluntly conical lightyellow horn; black tiny nuptial spines on the dorsal surface of the first finger and second finger base, single vocal sac in males; gravid females bear pure yellowish oocytes; tadpoles with a transverse white stripe on ventral surface and two longitudinal white stripes along the sides of body. The new species represents the fifth known Brachytarsophrys species.
A suboptimal bootstrap method for structure detection of non-linear output-error models with application to human ankle dynamics

Identification of non-linear systems involves estimating unknown parameters and structure detection, selection of a subset of candidate terms that best describe the observed output. This is a necessary procedure to compute an efficient system description which may afford greater insight into the functionality of the system or a simpler controller design. For non-linear systems simple output additive noise can generate multiplicative terms between the input, output and noise. The terms associated with noise need to be modelled to obtain unbiased parameter estimates, significantly increasing the number of candidate terms to be estimated and considered. In special cases, it may be possible to use an output error (OE) model structure and the instrumental variable (IV) estimator to obtain unbiased parameters without modelling the noise. This significantly reduces the dimensionality of the structure computation problem. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a suboptimal bootstrap structure detection (SOBSD) algorithm for non-linear OE models. Performance of this SOBSD algorithm was evaluated by using it to estimate the structure of (i) a simulated NARMAX model describing ankle dynamics and (ii) application to experimental data. The results demonstrate that the SOBSD method is simple to use and provides good results for non-linear OE models.
PREDICTING EMPTY BODY COMPOSITION OF CATTLE FROM CARCASS WEIGHT AND RIB CUT COMPOSITION

Data collected on 43 steers (25 predominantly Hereford breeding (H) and 18 predominantly Angus breeding (A)) were used to generate equations to predict total body composition of Angus and Hereford steers from measurements obtained at slaughter. Empty body fat (ether extract, EBF), kg was predicted from 9–11 rib cut fat (ether extract, RF), kg and warm carcass weight (WCW), kg by the following: H — steers, EBF = − 11.49 + 44.08 RF + 0.22 WCW (R2 = 0.96, CV = 10.07%) and A — steers, EBF = − 49.30 + 31.30 RF + 0.50 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 9.40%). Total empty body energy (EBE) (Mcal) was predicted from 9–11 rib cut energy (RE, Mcal) and WCW (kg) by the following: H — steers, EBE = − 252.6 + 28.85 RE + 4.26 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 10.15%) and A — steers, EBE = − 434.3 + 25.48 RE + 5.64 WCW (R2 = 0.94, CV = 8.02%). Prediction of EBF and EBE from RF and RE, respectively, differed (P = 0.05) between breeds whereas prediction from WCW did not. For all steers, EBF, kg and EBE, Mcal, respectively, were predicted from WCW,.
Comparative efficacy of the synchrony programmes in subestrus crossbred cows at smallholder farms in Bangladesh

The objective was to compare the reproductive efficacy of a Cosynch (GnRH-PGF2α− GnRH + TAI), PG programme (one shot PGF2α ) with artificial insemination (AI) on observed estrus and untreated control (AI on observed estrus) in subestrus (cycling but not detected in estrus by ≥60 days postpartum) crossbred cows at smallholder farms. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed at AI, 7 d after AI and 28 d and 42 d after AI to determine the largest follicle, the new corpus luteum (CL) and to diagnose conception and pregnancy, respectively. Of the 69 enrollments in the estrus detection groups, 78.9% in PG programme and 54.8% in control were detected in estrus during the following two weeks (χ2=4.57; P=0.04). Of the inseminated cows in all groups, 75.7% in Cosynch, 76.7% in PG programme and 82.4% in control were ovulated (χ2=0.31; P=0.86). The size of the largest follicle at AI had a positive correlation with the resultant CL at d 7 (r=0.84, P=0.001). The follicle in cows that subsequently became pregnant was larger (P=0.01) than that in the non-pregnant cows (15.8±2.03 vs. 14.6±2.31), and this was smaller (P=0.001) in cows that experienced late embryonic mortality (12.3±1.03) than that with successfully maintained pregnancy (15.8±2.03) or have not conceived (15.6±2.67). In cows with an expected synchronisation response, the largest follicle size did not differ (P=0.18) between cows that subsequently became pregnant or non-pregnant. The conception rates (Cosynch: 54.1%; PG programme: 63.3%; Control: 64.7%) were not different between the groups (χ2=0.83; P=0.37). The embryonic mortality was 12% in the cows during d 28 until d 42. The overall final pregnancy rate was 41.5% that did not differ (χ2=1.56; P=0.64) between the groups (Cosynch: 45.9%; PG programme: 44.7%; Control: 32.3%). Therefore, selective administration of PGF2α to subestrus cows would be economically advantageous because of a saving in hormone injection costs, and veterinary supervision can lead to an increase in the estrus detection efficiency of the herd personnel.
Translational initiation at the coat‐protein gene of phage MS2: native upstream RNA relieves inhibition by local secondary structure

Maximal translation of the coat‐protein gene from RNA bacteriophage MS2 requires a contiguous stretch of native MS2 RNA that extends hundreds of nucleotides upstream from the translational start site. Deletion of these upstream sequences from MS2 cDNA plasmids results in a 30‐fold reduction of translational efficiency. By site‐directed mutagenesis, we show that this low level of expression is caused by a hairpin structure centred around the initiation codon. When this hairpin is destabilized by the introduction of mismatches, expression from the truncated messenger increases 20‐fold to almost the level of the full‐length construct. Thus, the translational effect of hundreds of upstream nucleotides can be mimicked by a single substitution that destabilizes the structure. The same hairpin is also present in full‐length MS2 RNA, but there it does not Impair ribosome binding. Apparently, the upstream RNA somehow reduces the inhibitory effect of the structure on translational initiation. The upstream MS2 sequence does not stimulate translation when cloned in front of another gene, nor can unrelated RNA segments activate the coat‐protein gene. Several possible mechanisms for the activation are discussed and a function in gene regulation of the phage is suggested.