Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in olive cultivars

The present study was conducted to study the genetic diversity in the available cultivars of olive flora in Pakistan. On an average, 15.5 alleles were amplified using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular primers. Mean genetic distance estimates ranged from 0.158 to 0.512 (G.D = 15.8 to 51.2%). Size of scorable fragments ranged from approximately 250 to >2000 bp. A high level of genetic dissimilarity (GD= up to 51%) was recorded among Ferugenia genotype only. Entries were grouped in clusters using cluster analysis. On the basis of dendrogram, most diverse genotypes Ferugenia and Coratina were identified, that can be used in future olive propagation program.
Have repeated applications of nitrogen and phosphorus to a loblolly pine plantation changed stand productivity and soil nutrient supply

To develop a nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization regime that produces long-term increases in stand productivity and soil nutrient supply in loblolly pine plantations, a series of N + P fertilizer studies were established in the Southeastern United States. One of these installations was examined partway through the study to determine if changes to stand productivity and soil nutrient supply had already been achieved. Stand growth and foliar nutrient concentrations were measured for 6 years, and during the third year, a seedling bioassay was conducted with soil collected from the highest fertilization and nonfertilized treatments. Annual stand growth was increased by 14%–27% in the fertilized plots suggesting that the fertilizer regime improved stand productivity. However, results from the seedling bioassay showed that only P fertilization had caused changes in soil nutrient supply. Seedling P contents in the fertilized treatments were 3.6 times larger than those in the nonfertilized treatments. I.
Microsatellite identification of extrapair sires in a socially monogamous warbler

Few studies of avian mating systems have identified the sires of extrapair young, and hence it has been difficult to determine the scale at which reproductive interactions occur. For instance, females may be free to copulate with any male in the population (a ‘‘global’’ scale of interactions), or females may be restricted to copulating only with males on neighboring territories (a ‘‘local’’ scale). The scale of such interactions has important consequences for an understanding of the evolutionary causes and consequences of extrapair fertilizations. We used five hypervariable microsatellite loci and multilocus DNA fingerprinting to examine parentage of more than 400 nestling black-throated blue warblers (Dendroica caerulescens). Extrapair fertilizations were common, and the microsatellite markers allowed us to identify the sires for 89% of the young analyzed. Most identified extrapair sires were males on neighboring or nearby territories, and most nestlings for whom we could not identify a sire came from territories at the edge of the study plot. Thus, reproductive interactions appear to be more local than global in this population. Extrapair fertilizations contributed significantly to total variation in male reproductive success. However, the standardized variance in male reproductive success (0.68–0.74) was not substantially greater than that for females (0.53–0.60), and the contribution of extrapair fertilizations (9–14%) was much lower than the contribution of within-pair fertilizations (75–77%). This suggests that the local scale of reproductive interactions may limit variation in male reproductive success and hence the opportunity for selection.
Preliminary report: pedigree analysis of the Brangus cattle in South Africa.

The aim of the study was to investigate some population parameters, including generation interval, inbreeding and effective population size of Brangus cattle in South Africa (SA) to assist in constructing an effective selection programme for the SA Brangus breed. Pedigree analysis can describe the genetic variability and change over time, making it an important tool to be used to assess parameters like generation interval, inbreeding, effective population size and number of animals selected against number born. These traits can be used to make more informed selection decisions in order to maintain a genetically healthy population through a better understanding of the dynamics within the population. A Population Structure- and Pedigree Analysis Report was generated with the PopReport programme from the Institute of Farm Animal Genetics (FLI) with a Brangus datafile containing 65 536 animals. Results were reported for the time period of 1986 to 2008 and the following results were obtained: 3-generation pedigree completeness is at 73.8% for 2008, with an inbreeding coefficient of 1.39% and an annual increase in inbreeding of 0.058%. Weighted generation interval was 5.17 years and the effective population size based on the average inbreeding was 166.7 animals. Keywords: Pedigree analysis, Brangus, inbreeding
Groundwater ubiquity score: a simple method for assessing pesticide leachability

Government agencies at both the state and federal levels now face increasing pressures to assess the likelihood of pesticide occurrence in well‒water supplies. Screening methodologies are required in order to determine which pesticides now in use should receive the greatest attention with respect to groundwater, and in order to determine whether elaborate and expensive groundwater testing should be required in order to register a new pesticide. Several screening techniques have been proposed recently, some based on threshold values for critical physical properties of the pesticide, and others based on mathematical models of the leaching process. A different approach is taken in this paper, whereby an index is derived based entirely on the physical properties of those pesticides that have been found either leachable or essentially immobile. The index is based on graphical examination of a plot formed by two widely available pesticide properties: half‒life in soil (tsoil1/2) and partition coefficient between soil organic carbon and water (Koc). Other physical properties, such as water solubility, octanol/water partition coefficient, and volatility from soil, have often been invoked as indicators of leachability, but they are found in this paper to have no useful power in discriminating between “leachers” and “nonleachers. ” Scores assigned with the new screening index agree with the results of several recent well‒water monitoring programs, even though point‒source events are thought to be responsible for some of the observed contamination. A nomogram is given that reduces the task of calculating the index to simply placing a straight edge on a diagram.
Different regulation of oestrogen receptors α and β in the human cervix at term pregnancy

During pregnancy, a cervical connective tissue remodelling takes place, clinically recognized as softening, effacement and dilatation. The role of oestrogens and their receptors (ER) in this process is not clear. ERα is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in many physiological processes. The identification of a second oestrogen receptor, ERβ, has led to a re-evaluation of oestrogen signalling and physiology. The aim of this study was to monitor the expression of the two ERs in the cervix from women at term pregnancy (TP) and after parturition (PP) compared with that of non-pregnant (NP). A solution hybridization assay showed that the level of ERα mRNA was significantly decreased in the PP group, when compared with the NP and TP groups. In contrast the ERβ mRNA level was increased in the TP group compared with the NP and PP groups. These results were supported by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Similar results were observed for the protein with immunohistochemistry. Intense ERβ immunostaining was observed in neutrophils and the endothelial cells of blood vessels. In conclusion, this study supports a concept according to which oestrogen might be involved in the final remodelling of the cervix via the modulating effects of the two ERs. Furthermore, oestrogen may mediate some effects on cervical ripening via ERβ present in the invading neutrophils. Further studies are needed to elucidate this finding.
Efficacy and phytotoxicity of lime sulphur in organic apple production

Curative and preventive efficacy and phytotoxicity of lime sulphur spray schedules, based on a warning system, were evaluated in the Netherlands during two growing seasons under field conditions. In most cases, lime sulphur treatments applied either curatively or preventively resulted in significantly lower scab damage on both the leaves and fruits compared to wettable sulphur treatments. However, all lime sulphur treatments showed high phytotoxicity values, reduced leaf size and had a tendency to a reduced yield quality compared to all other treatments. For curative schedules of lime sulphur on scab control, phytotoxicity and yield did not differ significantly from preventive schedules of lime sulphur. However, the use of a warning system combined with curative schedules of lime sulphur saved one and two lime sulphur sprays in 2000 and 2001, respectively, compared to the preventive treatments of lime sulphur. Our results demonstrated that a curative spray programme with lime sulphur at 0.75-2%, applied 35-45 h after predicted infection periods, can provide effective primary apple scab control, but no benefit in either yield or fruit quality was reached under organic growing conditions. Moreover, research herein clearly showed that organic growers are forced to find a balance between good efficacy and phytotoxic effects of lime sulphur.
On the presence of alien foraminifera Amphistegina lobifera Larsen on the coasts of the Maltese Islands

More than 30 alien foraminifera species have been reported from the Levantine Basin. The most abundant of them is the Indo- Pacific originated Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, which is the dominant foraminifera species on the coasts of Israel and southwestern coasts of Turkey. It is widely distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean Sea and even recorded in the Sea of Marmara. The westernmost limits of its distribution extend to Libya and Tunisia. This study constitutes the first record of Amphistegina lobifera Larsen from the Maltese Islands in June 2006.
Neue Amino‐ und Ketosäuren in grünen Pflanzen und die Biosynthese der Aminosäuren

Der quantitativ wichtigste Syntheseweg der Pflanzen zu Aminosauren verlauft uber das Ammoniak, wenn auch dem Hydroxylamin als Zwischenprodukt der Nitrat-Reduktion eine wesentliche Rolle zufallen mag. Es ist gelungen, die Oxime der im Stoffwechsel zentralen α-Ketosauren sowohl in Hefe als in grunen Pflanzen zu identifizieren. Eine unerwartete Anzahl neuer Aminosauren wurde aus verschiedenen Pflanzen isoliert und strukturell aufgeklart. Die entsprechenden neuen α-Ketosauren wurden auch in den entsprechenden Pflanzen in den meisten Fallen gefunden, wodurch die experimentelle Begrundung der Annahme vorhanden ist, das diese Aminosauren durch Transaminierung entstehen konnen. Die mit Hilfe moderner Untersuchungsmethoden (Austauscher, Papierchromatographie) in den letzten Jahren aus Pflanzen und Mikroorganismen isolierten Keto- und Aminosauren werden beschrieben.
Changes in lipopolysaccharide structure induce the σE‐dependent response of Escherichia coli

The envelope of Escherichia coli is composed of an asymmetric lipid bilayer containing lipopolysaccharide, phospholipid and outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Physical and chemical stresses impact on the integrity of the outer membrane envelope and trigger the σE‐dependent response, whereby E. coli activates the expression of genes that increase its capacity for folding OMPs and synthesizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). While it has already been appreciated that misfolded OMPs induce the σE response, a role for LPS in activating this pathway was hitherto unknown. Here we show that ammonium metavandate (NH4VO3) induces multiple changes in E. coli LPS structure and activates the σE‐dependent response without altering OMP. One such NH4VO3‐mediated LPS decoration, the CrcA/PagP‐catalysed addition of palmitate to lipid A, appeared to be alone sufficient to activate transcription at σE‐dependent promoters. Furthermore, reduced acylation of LPS, caused by htrB or msbB mutations, also resulted in a constitutive expression of the σE regulon above wild‐type levels. Production of these aberrant outer membrane lipids did not noticeably affect the composition or the amount of OMPs. A model is proposed whereby structural intermediates of the LPS biosynthetic pathway or modified LPS molecules may function as signals that activate the σE response.
PREDICTION OF POTENTIAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AREAS IN CHINA PRONE TO KARNAL BUNT OF WHEAT

Tilletia indica Mitra, the cause of Karnal bunt of wheat, is an important quarantine disease around the world. The Humid Thermal Index (HTI) model, and the bioclimate zoning map of wheat in China are based on critical values of key climatic factors during the susceptible period (heading and anthesis of wheat). We have calculated improvements to the HTI value for both early and late sown wheat varieties, with 21 days as a cycle (heading and anthesis period) and 1 day as a slip statistical unit. A GeoPhytopathology Model (GPMTI) for T. indica was built using a Microsoft Access Database, Map- Info MapX and Visual Basic, and was used to predict the potential geographic distribution areas of T. indica using climate data collected in the past 30 years from 670 meteorological stations. The results showed that the pathogen could establish itself in 60% of sites in China (nearly 4,580,000 km2), and this region can be divided into four areas: safe areas (HTI value for all periods unsuitable for disease development), low risk areas (HTI value for less than one-third of the periods suitable for disease development), risk areas (HTI value for between one-third and two-thirds of the periods suitable for disease development) and high risk areas (HTI value for more than two-thirds of the periods suitable for disease development). The risk areas and high risk areas were about 3,210,000 km2.
Determinants of root‐associated fungal communities within Asteraceae in a semi‐arid grassland

While plant–fungal interactions are important determinants of plant community assembly and ecosystem functioning, the processes underlying fungal community composition are poorly understood. Here, we studied for the first time the root‐associated eumycotan communities in a set of co‐occurring plant species of varying relatedness in a species‐rich, semi‐arid grassland in Germany. The study system provides an opportunity to evaluate the importance of host plants and gradients in soil type and landscape structure as drivers of fungal community structure on a relevant spatial scale. We used 454 pyrosequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer region to analyse root‐associated eumycotan communities of 25 species within the Asteraceae, which were sampled at different locations within a soil type gradient. We partitioned the variance accounted for by three predictors (host plant phylogeny, spatial distribution and soil type) to quantify their relative roles in determining fungal community composition and used null model analyses to determine whether community composition was influenced by biotic interactions among the fungi. We found a high fungal diversity (156 816 sequences clustered in 1100 operational taxonomic units (OTUs)). Most OTUs belonged to the phylum Ascomycota (35.8%); the most abundant phylotype best‐matched Phialophora mustea. Basidiomycota were represented by 18.3%, with Sebacina as most abundant genus. The three predictors explained 30% of variation in the community structure of root‐associated fungi, with host plant phylogeny being the most important variance component. Null model analysis suggested that many fungal taxa co‐occurred less often than expected by chance, which demonstrates spatial segregation and indicates that negative interactions may prevail in the assembly of fungal communities. Synthesis. The results show that the phylogenetic relationship of host plants is the most important predictor of root‐associated fungal community assembly, indicating that fungal colonization of host plants might be facilitated by certain plant traits that may be shared among closely related plant species.
Factors shaping the spatial variation of weed communities across a landscape mosaic

Alignier A & Petit S (2012). Factors shaping the spatial variation of weed communities across a landscape mosaic. Weed Research.52, 402–410. Summary The spatial pattern of weeds within field is widely accepted to be aggregated, but few studies have assessed the spatial structure of weed communities at the landscape scale. Using a combination of aggregation measures and similarity indices, this study aimed at inferring the processes behind the spatial patterning of weed communities. We analysed spatial variation in the species composition of weed communities to understand how similarity in weed composition varies with field and spatial effects. Weeds were surveyed in a regular grid sampling a 110 ha landscape mosaic made up of 24 fields. We showed that weed composition similarity among samples exhibited an aggregated pattern at the mosaic scale, of up to 400 m. Similarity in weed composition varied mainly among fields, but also within field according to the distance from the field border. The decay in species similarity was influenced both by field and spatial effects. Spatial effect remains signifi-cant after controlling for field effect. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that niche relationships and dispersal processes are both involved in the spatial patterning of weed species composition at the mosaic scale.
Estimation of sugars in milk by HPLC and its application in detection of adulteration of milk with soymilk

A high-performance liquid chromatography method is described for the detection of adulteration of milk with soymilk, based on separation of sugars on NH2 column and their detection by refractive index detector. Sugars were extracted with 20% acetonitrile in the presence of Carrez solutions and quantified. Recovery of added raffinose to soymilk was 96.3%. Owing to relative high concentration of lactose in milk or adulterated milk, lactose peak was very broad and spread to retention time corresponding to sucrose and raffinose. However, stachyose peak remained well separated. Presence of stachyose peak in milk can be used for the detection of adulteration of milk with soymilk and the method can detect upto 5% soymilk in milk.
Anti-fertility and other biological activities of zoapatle (Montanoa spp.) with biotechnological application

Especies del genero Montanoa han sido empleadas por siglos en la medicina tradicional Mexicana. El nombre asignado a esta planta por los Aztecas fue “cihuapahtli”, o “medicina para la mujer” (cihua, mujer; pahtli, medicina). Especificamente, M. tomentosa es usada para tratar desordenes de la mujer desde tiempos prehispanicos por sus propiedades uterotonicas. La castellanizacion transformo esta palabra en “zoapatle”, este nombre sigue siendo usado por los curanderos en Mexico. A pesar de su uso en la medicina folklorica, la investigacion cientifica intensa en esta planta comenzo desde inicios de 1970. Las unicas dos revisiones disponibles y dedicadas exclusivamente a las especies de Montanoa cubren el periodo de 1529 a 1985. Sin embargo, en las ultimas dos decadas, se han logrado importantes avances fitoquimicos, bioquimicos y biotecnologicos. Este trabajo presenta una revision de la historia, botanica, quimica mas relevante, actividades biologicas y biotecnologia de los metabolitos secundarios del genero Montanoa a la fecha
Production of Lotus corniculatus L. under grazing in a dryland farming environment

Abstract A 3‐year experiment (from November 2000 to October 2003) was conducted at Massey University's Riverside Farm, in the Wairarapa on the East Coast of the lower North Island, New Zealand. The study compared, under grazing conditions, the seasonal and annual herbage accumulation rate, and the seasonal dynamics of ungrazed net herbage accumulation rate of Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil; cv. ‘Grasslands Goldie') relative to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) dominant pasture. Prediction equations to estimate standing dry matter (DM) in L. corniculatus and pasture from the rising plate meter (RPM) and sward surface height using the sward stick (SS) were also generated. Lotus corniculatus and pasture growing in a moderate fertility and low pH soil (pH 5.35) accumulated similar total herbage masses (24.3 versus 24.1 t DM ha–1) over the 3 years, with the DM production being greater for L. corniculatus than for pasture during 2000/01, particularly during summer/autumn drought conditions. The net herbage accumulation rates from ungrazed areas of L. corniculatus and pasture were similar. Pasture and L. corniculatus ungrazed net herbage accumulation rate was at maximum at a herbage mass of 9.9 t DM ha–1 (60.23 ± 16.94 kg DM ha–1 day–1) and 5.8 t DM ha–1 (15.69 ± 13.25 kg DM ha–1 day–1), respectively, during the spring/summer period. The ungrazed net herbage accumulation rate was lowest, possibly due to severe moisture deficits, during the summer season. Monthly and seasonal variation in the calibration regressions fitted to estimate herbage mass of L. corniculatus non‐destructively suggested a combination of destructive and non‐destructive methods are needed to assess herbage mass. It was concluded that Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil; cv. ‘Grasslands Goldie') has the potential to increase the performance of a sheep farming system based on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture owing to its ability to grow in acidic soils, its tolerance of regular low summer/autumn rainfall, its seasonal‐ity of feed supply, its high feeding value and its moderate and beneficial concentration of condensed tannins (CT).
Characterisation of potential virulence markers in Aeromonas caviae isolated from polluted and unpolluted aquatic environments in Morocco

A total of 100 Aeromonas caviae strains isolated from river waters (38 isolates), raw sewage (30 isolates) and effluents of stabilisation ponds (i.e. treated sewage; 32 isolates) in Marrakech, Morocco, were tested for the presence of putative virulence factors to delineate differences, if any, in their enteropathogenic potential in relation to the source of isolation. A number of A. caviae isolates were able to elaborate at least one of the tested virulence factors. Of the 100 strains tested, 27 were capable of producing haemolysins, 19 produced cytotoxin, 24 produced cytotonic toxin, while 18 of the isolates possessed the capacity to adhere to HenLe 407 human intestinal cells with more than five bacteria adhering per cell. In order to assess the virulence potential of A. caviae isolates in relation to the source of isolation, we suggest the potential virulence index (PVI) as a tool for comparison. It is calculated as PVI=x/ny, where x is the number of positive occurrence of virulence factors in a population y, and n is the number of suitable virulence factors used for the calculation of the PVI. Accordingly, in this study A. caviae strains isolated from treated sewage samples showed a higher PVI (=0.406) than those isolated from raw sewage (PVI=0.175) or those from river waters (PVI=0.09). These results suggest that stabilisation pond systems used for sewage purification under arid climate conditions in Marrakech, may have selected potentially enteropathogenic A. caviae strains.