Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abscisic acid modifies boron stress in cultured maize kernels

Fertilized ovules of maize (Zea mays L.) were cultured at 14 days after anthesis in MS medium devoid of growth regulators. The developing kernels were supplied boron at three levels 0.01mM (low), 0.1mM (normal) and 0.5mM (high), each without or with 1mg 1 - 1 abscisic acid (ABA). Growth of kernels, after 8 days in culture, was observed as increase in length, breadth, fresh and dry weight with concomitant decrease in concentration of sugars and increase in that of nitrogen, protein and starch. Maize kernels cultured in absence of ABA showed growth enhancement at low B and poor growth at high B from those at normal B. In kernels at low B the concentration of sugars and phenols increased and that of nitrogen, proteins and starch decreased, while at high B protein nitrogen and starch contents increased. A supply of ABA increased the level of seed reserves and almost reversed the effects of boron stress in maize kernels cultured in vitro.
Phylogeography of the freshwater red alga 
B

atrachospermum viride‐brasiliense (Rhodophyta, Batrachospermales)

Phylogeography of B atrachospermum viride‐brasiliense was investigated using two mitochondrial regions: the cox2‐3 spacer and the barcode region of cox1 gene. Eighty‐seven individuals were analyzed from nine stream segments throughout its distribution in Brazil. Ten cox2‐3 spacer and nine cox1 haplotypes were observed among the individuals studied (87 vs. 43, respectively). Divergences among haplotypes were relatively low (≤2.4% for cox2‐3 and ≤1.8% for cox1). Most locations have a single haplotype, whereas only two locations had two haplotypes for both markers. The haplotype network for cox2‐3 showed a phylogeographic trend from the south towards the southeast with haplotypes from the southeast more closely related. For cox1 a trend from the southeast spreading towards the south and north was revealed, with the southern haplotypes more closely associated. Results clearly indicated that B . viride‐brasiliense represents a single species and the phylogeographic pattern consisted of a closely connected group of haplotypes from southern and southeastern Brazil. Levels of intra‐ and inter‐population variation were similar for the two markers with slightly higher values for cox2‐3. The trend observed in this study is similar to that in other members of Batrachospermales with little variation within a stream segment (one or two haplotypes) and more distant haplotypes showing higher divergences. This pattern could be attributed to the fact that colonization of a site might be rare by a single event with subsequent proliferation of the population. The geographic distribution of B . viride‐brasiliense was interpreted according to the biogeographic models proposed for South America being limited to three morpho‐climatic domains or biogeographic provinces: tropical Atlantic rainforest, sub‐tropical rainforest and cerrado (Brazilian savannah).
Niskin bottle sample collection aliases microbial community composition and biogeochemical interpretation

Particles able to settle distances of approximately a meter in 1–2 h are undersampled in water traditionally collected in Niskin bottles. Gardner (Limnol Oceanogr, 22, 764–768, 1977) demonstrated that particles sink into the space below the spout of Niskin bottles on timescales relevant to sample processing. We examined this effect on measurements of microbial abundance, community composition, and transparent stainable particles across an oxygen‐sulfide gradient in the Cariaco Basin. Within 1 h, modestly sized micro‐aggregates (> 16 μm) were not detected in samples drawn from the spout, but were abundant in the waters below the spout. Total transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP) were at least twice as abundant in the below‐spout samples as in spout‐collected water. Below‐spout samples accounted for four times more total particle surface area per mL than spout samples. Approximately 10% of all microbes were particle‐associated, which led to only small enrichments of total microbes in the below‐spout samples. However, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed five of seven clades surveyed were significantly more enriched in water below the spout than total cells, indicating (1) a small bias when enumerating total particles and microbes from spout samples and (2) a very strong bias for particular phylogenetic groups that are more prevalent on particles than the total community. In particular, sulfate‐reducing δ‐proteobacteria were consistently enriched in below‐spout samples collected at depths along the oxygen‐sulfide transition. Abundance of this functional group has potentially been underestimated in the past. Consequently, microbial diversity results derived from Niskin bottle samples should be cautiously applied when interpreting biogeochemical cycling.
Delineating large‐scale migratory connectivity of reed warblers using integrated multistate models

Assessing the extent of large‐scale migratory connectivity is crucial for understanding the evolution of migratory systems and effective species conservation. It has been, however, difficult to elucidate the annual whereabouts of migratory populations of small animals across the annual cycle. Here, we use the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) as one of the most frequently ringed passerines in Europe to demonstrate how ring re‐encounter and geolocator data can be used to effectively quantify range‐wide distribution of different populations.
Anti-nutritional potential of protodioscin and kinetics of degradation in Urochloa grasses

Objetivou-se avaliar o valor nutricional e quantificar os aspectos de anti-qualidade e suas correlacoes com a qualidade de gramineas exoticas do genero Urochloa. Foram avaliadas as gramineas Urochloa. humidicola cv. Comum, Urochloa humidicola cv. BRS Tupi, Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Urochloa decumbens ecotipo D70 e Urochloa ruziziensis ecotipo R124 e agrupadas em epocas verao, outono, inverno e primavera. Foram determinados composicao bromatologica, digestibilidade in vitro, teores de protodioscina e producao cumulativa de gases das folhas das gramineas material in natura. Basilisk e D70 apresentaram os maiores teores de protodioscina em todas as epocas do ano, com maior valor observado na primavera, 31,4 e 27,4 g kg-1, respectivamente. D70 apresentou maior teor de proteina bruta (140,0 g kg-1) no verao e maior digestibilidade in vitro da materia seca (888,7 g kg- 1). R124 teve maior producao cumulativa de gas na primavera (16,44 mL de gas 100 mg de MS-1). U. humidicola (Comum e BRS Tupi) apresentaram os menores teores de protodioscina (1,22 e 1,07 g kg-1 MS, respectivamente). Houve correlacao negativa entre o teor de protodioscina e a FDN, a fracao C (Lag time) e a producao cumulativa de gas in vitro. A presenca de protodioscina interfere nos resultados de digestibilidade in vitro e a producao cumulativa de gases in vitro.
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF BLACK TEA AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND ITS SYNERGISM WITH ANTIBIOTICS

Tea is the most common beverage after it is extracted from the leaves of Camellia sinenesis. It is classified in to fermented tea (Black Tea) and non-fermented tea (green tea). Methanolic extract of tea diluted in methanol and ethanol, which were tested for antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans. Methanol was found to be best antimicrobial solvent. The MIC value of methanolic extracts of Black Tea diluted in ethanol was 0.1 mg/ml. Synergistic results of antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts (diluted in ethanol) were found poor. Synergistic activity of Black tea sample with antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Levofloxacin and Gentamycin) showed best response against most of the bacteria (0.1mg/ml).
`TexKing', an Early Ripening, Medium-chill Peach

ʻTexKingʼ was selected for adaptation in the medium chill zone of south central Texas. It has been fruited in three sites (Yoakum, Floresville, and College Station) in Texas, in California (Clovis), and in southern Spain (Sevilla). The peach selection is adapted in areas where ̒ Flordakingʼ(Andrews et al., 1979) and ʻTexstarʼ (Byrne and Kamas, 1984) can be grown commercially. These medium chill regions generally receive at least 450 chilling units as measured by a mean January (coldest month) temperature of 13.9 °C (Sharpe, 1970). The mean temperature of the coldest month in these areas is between 13.9 °C to 11.7 °C. It can also be grown in higher chill areas in the absence of temperatures below –1.7 °C during flowering and fruit development. During the evaluation of ̒ TexKingʼ, the chilling received at College Station averaged 750 chilling units, but ranged from 545 to 1088 chilling units. The Yoakum site, ≈160 km south of College Station, receives an average of 200 chill units less per year. At both sites, ʻTexKingʼ was as productive as ʻFlordakingʼ and ʻTexstarʼ, with average crop ratings of 4.8, 4.5, and 5.0 where a rating of 5 is a full commercial crop (Crop rating scale 0 = no crop, 2 = 40% full crop, 5 = full crop—a fruit every 15 cm of branch length, 7 = a fruit every 7.5 cm of branch length, and 9 = a fruit every 3.75 cm branch length). The tree is vigorous with a semi-spreading growth habit, as are trees of ̒ Flordakingʼ and ʻTexstarʼ. ̒ TexKingʼhas moderate resistance to bacterial leaf spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (E. F. Smith) Dye. ], as does ̒ Flordakingʼ. The moderately large leaves are lanceolate with globose glands, acute bases, sharply acute apices, and crenate margins. ʻTexKingʼ blooms with ʻFlordakingʼ and ≈13 d before ʻTexstarʻ (Table 1). Flowers are large and showy with an average diameter of 3.9 cm and length of petal of 2.0 cm. The five petals are light pink (62C) (Anon., 1995) with a darker pink center vein. The sepals are a dull red (183B). The yellow (8B) anthers have an orange-red (34B) edge and are on filaments (1.5 cm length) and protrude further than the style (average length 1.2 cm). Young filaments are white (155C) and turn red purple (60C) with age. Pollen is yellow (19B) and abundant. The tree is self fertile. Trees of ʻTexKingʼ bears crops of early ripening peaches that are firm and large for the season. The fruit is round to ovate, has
Kinetics of Removing Nitrogenous and Phosphorus Compounds from Swine Waste by Growth of Microalga, Spirulina platensis

Spirulina platensis was grown in swine waste to reduce inorganic compounds and simultaneously produce feed resources. Spirulina platensis prefers nitrogenous compounds in the order: NH 4 + -N>NO 3 - -N>simple-N such as urea and simple amino acids. It even consumes NH 4 + -N first when urea or nitrate are present. Therefore, the content of residual NH 4 + -N in Spirulina platensis cultures can be determined by the relative extent of the following processes: (i) algal uptake and assimilation; (ii) ammonia stripping; and (iii) decomposition of urea to NH 4 + -N by urease-positive bacteria. The removal rates of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were estimated as an indicator of the treatment efficiency. It was found that Spirulina platensis was able to reduce 70-93% of PO 4 3- -P, 67- 93% of inorganic nitrogen, 80- 90% of COD, and 37-56% of organic nitrogen in various concentrations of swine waste over 12 days of batch cultivation. The removal of inorganic compounds from swine waste was mainly used for cell growth, however, the organic nitrogen removal was not related to cell growth. A maximum cell density of 1.52 dry-g/l was maintained with a dilution rate of 0.21/day in continuous cultivation by adding 30% swine waste. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates were correlated to the dilution rates. Based on the amino acid profile, the quality of the proteins in the Spirulina platensis grown in the waste was the same as that in a clean culture.
Daily changes in δ15N and δ13C stable isotopes in copepods: equilibrium dynamics and variations of trophic level in the field

We investigated how fast the dN and dC stable isotope signature of copepods changes and how fast the isotope signals in microzooplankton and copepods change in the field. In experiments C1, copepodites of the copepod Acartia tonsa raised on Rhodomonas baltica were switched to a diet of Oxyrrhis marina and the dN and dC signature followed for 8 days. The dN increased by 0.18+ 0.03‰ day in animals fed O. marina while it decreased by 0.14+ 0.02‰ day with a R. baltica diet and equilibrium was reached after 5 days. Enrichment of nitrogen N (DN) was 2.4+ 0.26‰ with R. baltica and 4.1+ 0.38‰ with O. marina as food, and corresponding factors for carbon (DC), 1.7+ 0.38‰ and 2.3+ 0.30‰. DN in the field, using seston 0–10 mm as the baseline, ranged from 2.4 to 3.1 for copepods and 1.0 to 1.6 for the microzooplankton (10–90 and 90–200 mm). Nitrate input resulted in low DN for copepods (2.4‰) and high for microzooplankton (1.4–1.6‰), indicating that copepods were feeding indiscriminately on phytoand microzooplankton after the event. The second period showed higher DN (3.1‰) and a higher trophic level of copepods, but lower of microzooplankton (1.0–1.1‰).
Exploration of physico-chemical parameters and ionic constituents from groundwater used in irrigation of Tangail district, Bangladesh

The study was conducted for exploration of physico-chemical parameters and ionic constituents of groundwater used in irrigation of four upazilas namely Tangail Sadar, Kalihati, Delduar and Nagarpur upazila of Tangail district during the months of March, April and May of 2015. The physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC and TDS), ionic constituents (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , Cl - , CO 3 2- , HCO 3 - , PO 4 3- and SO 4 2- ) and trace metal (Fe and Mn) were analyzed to assess the quality of irrigation in relation to soil properties and crop growth. The pH of groundwater indicates slightly alkaline in nature. As regards to EC the groundwater was in ‘good’ class and medium salinity hazards in quality for irrigation and the concentration of TDS indicates water as fresh water. The concentration of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , Cl - , CO 3 2- , HCO 3 - , PO 4 3- and SO 4 2- of groundwater were recorded within the permissible limit for irrigation and these ions might not create hazardous impact on soil ecosystem for growing crops. The trace amount of Fe and Mn was detected in irrigation water. In the study area, the groundwater was within the recommended limit and would not create problem for irrigation and that have not long term effects on irrigating agricultural crops which could be safely used for irrigation purposes. Res. Agric. , Livest. Fish.3(1): 115-119, April 2016
Evaluation of selected F6 tomato lines for extended shelf life.

Shelf-life is an important trait in tomato, which determines marketability. Solanum lycopersicum alcobaca (alc) ripening mutant is able to prolong shelf-life. Twenty recombinant inbred lines were selected from F5 lines. These F5 lines were derived from intraspecific crosses involving alcobaca line L121 × Vaibhav. The objective of this study was to evaluate these recombinant inbred lines for quantitative traits such as plant height, fruit length, width, fruit yield, single fruit weight, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, fruit weight loss and fruit shelf-life in greenhouse as well as in field condition and to characterize them by SSR markers. Fruits were kept at room temperature (25 C) and shelf-life was recorded from breaker stage to fully ripe stage. Some of the lines like 108 and 160 were outstanding for high shelf life and other quantitative traits like fruit yield and single fruit weight in greenhouse as well as in field condition. These results suggest that these lines could be grown by farmers in distant areas that have problems with storage facilities and transportation. Some of the genetic SSR polymorphic markers like TOM 184 and TOM 144 associated with the fruit shelf-life, it is identified by single marker analysis.
Industrial Symbiosis as an Emerging Process Driven by Anenterprise Input-Output Model

Industrial symbiosis concerns the cooperative exchange of resources through business networks. In the literature the mechanisms of inter-firm resource exchanges have been largely investigated (Chertow, 2000; Ehrenfeld and Gertler, 1996), whereas less attention has been devoted to study their creation and development (Chertow and Ehrenfeld, 2012). At this regard, the economic convenience is generally considered the most important driver (Chertow, 2007); however it is also recognized that trust plays an important role in sustaining cooperative relationships (Hewes and Lyons, 2008). A critical debate in the literature concerns the extent to which such industrial symbiosis networks should be designed by adopting a top-down approach, such as the eco-industrial park model, or, conversely, should be let emerge from the bottom, as the result of a spontaneous, self-organized process undertaken by the involved firms. In the last years, literature seems to converge in considering the latter the most promising model (Chertow, 2007; Chertow and Ehrenfeld, 2012). Then, we are spurred to investigate on the self-organizing process which leads to the creation of stable industrial symbiosis relationships among business firms. To pursue this aim, we frame industrial symbiosis networks as complex adaptive systems (Chertow and Ehrenfeld, 2012) and use agent-based simulation as research methodology (Axelrod, 1997). We develop an agent-based simulation model consisting of N agents (firms), each of them available to create a symbiotic relationship with another agent, and characterized as an input-output process. The resulting process network is modeled as an enterprise input-output system (Albino and Yazan, 2013) having stochastic final demands, raw material purchasing costs, and waste disposal costs. A fitness function is defined which measures the extent to which is beneficial for the agent i to build a symbiotic relationship with j. This function is defined by taking into account the economic benefits associated with the symbiosis, the benefits associated with trust, essentially in terms of reduction of transaction costs, as well as the path dependence characterizing the system evolution. At the first step of simulation, each agent establishes a symbiotic relation with another one. In the next steps, the relationship is maintained, only if the fitness value overcomes a given threshold; otherwise, the relationship is interrupted. When the agent stops a relationship, will search another agent to connect with, and so on. Stable relations among firms may arise or not depending on the value of the fitness over time. Using this model we carry out a simulation analysis to evaluate in which scenarios industrial symbiosis relationships arise and become stable. Alternative scenarios are designed changing the number of agents (N) and the uncertainty of final firm demand which impacts on waste production and raw material requirements. Some cases are discussed in order to provide a contribution for policy-makers.
An Interpretivist Case Study of Leadership Transition in the Context of a Southern Baptist Church

This ethnographic study examined the experiences of key individuals involved in a senior leadership transition in the context of the church. Leader transition constitutes a significant aspect of organizational leadership theory, yet succession planning is often neglected in the context of churches. This study revealed that leadership transition is not a single event in the history of a church organization, but rather an evolution of events involving a multiplicity of factors and individuals. Narratives from five individuals directly involved in the pastoral leadership transition process informed the study: the search committee chair, the outgoing and incoming pastors, and two differently-located church members. The study uncovered core factors that led to a successful leader transition. First, organizational planning within the church’s bylaws pre-existed its need for a succession plan. Second, there was buy-in and commitment to the plan from the congregation as well as the committee. Third, the congregation had confidence in the committee. Fourth, the church by-laws provided roles for direct involvement of the congregants and committee members which structured regular fluid communication across both groups. Fifth, the guidance of an older, experienced interim pastor, as stipulated in the church by-laws, provided stability. The interim was not allowed to apply for the position of new pastor, and was in place early in the transition process, within two weeks of the departure of the outgoing pastor, to maintain the vision of the church and provide services to the congregation so that the selection process for the new pastor was not hurried and could proceed as it needed to. The study’s findings indicate that the church functions as both a spiritual and corporate organization, and that successful transition planning must give attention to both areas.
Inter- and Intra-Specific Variation in Anatomical and Morphological Shapes and Biochemical Ratios of Sun, Intermediate and Shade Leaves from Three Deciduous Tree Species

Previously we revealed significant differences in biochemical composition of chestnut, oak and beech sun and shade leaf litters that were related to mass losses. Total lignin was the dominant variable affecting their decomposition rates. Proximate analysis measured an aggregation of recalcitrant compounds mostly affected microbial activity, rather than a specific biochemical constituent. It was also noted that differences in the decomposition rates of sun and shade leaves within species showed the same anomalous patterns of decomposition described by other researchers, whereby species with rapid initial mass losses had larger residual litter masses than species decomposing slowly at constant rates. We were unable to explain this phenomenon in terms of litter chemistry and suggested that this was an artefact caused by changes in the fungal community within the forest floor material used as an inoculum bed over the 2-year incubation period. In the previous study, we didn’t consider in detail the inter- and intra-specific variation in anatomical and morphological shapes and biochemical ratios of TFA-carbohydrates (mainly sugar constituents of hemicellulose) and phenylpropanoid derivatives (PPDs) of lignin in sun, intermediate and shade leaves which are taken as an index of lignin polymerisation by white-rot fungi and also used to assign the proportions of plant- and microbial-derived carbohydrates by several investigators. Here, we revealed and discussed the effects of variation in anatomical and morphological shapes and biochemical ratios on litter decomposition rates. Those results can be used in future studies in order to explain the unknown phenomenon why decomposition rates subsequently decrease in the leaf litters, which initially decompose at higher rates?