Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Weak Sinusoidal Magnetic Field on Germination and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium spp.)

This paper presents the results of a preliminary study on the effects of sinusoidal magnetic fields on percentage germination, growth, and yield of cotton (Gossypium species). The paper covers a brief account of the experimental setup, protocol, and the essential parameters employed. The study was carried out using var.spch‐1 cotton seeds having three different germination capacities (Type 1—31%, Type 2—49%, Type 3—64%). The seeds were subjected to magnetic fields with nine different frequencies and intensities as follows: A. 1 Hz, 100 nT; B. 1 Hz, 1500 nT; C. 1 Hz, 4000 nT; D. 10 Hz, 100 nT; E. 10 Hz, 1500 nT; F. 10 Hz, 4000 nT; G. 100 Hz, 100 nT; H. 100 Hz, 1500 nT; I. 100 Hz, 4000 nT. In Type 3 cotton seeds exposed to 10 Hz, 100 nT fields, the yield was 75.3% higher than that of control, and in Type 2 cotton seeds exposed to 100 Hz, 1500 nT fields, the yield was 85.2% higher than that of control. The experiment leads to two major clear‐cut findings: Pre‐sowing exposure of seeds to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields catalyzes certain varieties of cotton to yield as much as double the crop output yielded by unexposed controls. The yield is strongly frequency dependent, i.e., the cotton varieties show outstanding responses only at specific frequencies.
Foraging and Plumage Coloration of the Galapagos Lava Heron (Butorides Striata Sundevalli)

Abstract. The Lava Heron (Butorides striata sundevalli) is a distinctively dark-plumaged heron that feeds along the rocky intertidal shoreline of the Galapagos Islands. The open shoreline used by the Lava Heron differs markedly from the dense swamps used by most populations of Butorides. Larva Herons feed by standing and by walking slowly at the water's edge, averaging only three steps per minute and catching primarily fish, crabs and prawns. Lava Heron foraging is characterized not only by its use of open shoreline, but by an extreme dependence on standing feeding behavior, frequent shifting of feeding sites following the tidal flux across a broad intertidal zone, and importance of crabs in the diet; but overall its foraging does not differ significantly from that used by Butorides elsewhere. The fundamental Butorides foraging strategy appears to have accommodated the habitat shift from dense bushes to open shoreline. Individuals maintain separate feeding territories, with the nest being placed within the territory of one of the pair. Feeding success was 0.12 prey per minute. In that nesting production is low contrasted with other populations, it appears that food may overall be limiting. The Galapagos population differs from South American Striated Herons (Butorides striata striata) in having a longer and stouter bill, a feature that correlates with the importance of crabs in the diet. Although known for its distinctive dark color, plumage ranges from all black to light grey, similar to South American birds. The dark color has been assumed to provide camouflage against the similarly colored shoreline, but its specific function has not been explained. Dark ventral plumage likely provides camouflage from active fish and crab prey. Dark dorsal plumage likely provides camouflage on the dark shoreline from above. Although the Galapagos lacks predators, four bird species steal prey from herons, suggesting that the dark plumage of Lava Herons may function to provide camouflage against piratical birds. Whereas the complex plumage patterns of most Butorides populations renders those birds cryptic within their usual densely vegetated habitat, dark plumage is similarly cryptic along the exposed dark shoreline of the Galapagos.
Total and ileal digestible tryptophan contents of feedstuffs for broiler chickens

Reliable values of total and digestible tryptophan in components of feed formulation matrices are needed because tryptophan is often the third limiting amino acid in practical poultry diets. However, tryptophan is oxidatively destroyed during acid hydrolysis in routine amino acid analysis and its determination requires a separate analytical procedure. The variability in contents and apparent ileal digestibility for 6-week-old broiler chickens of tryptophan in 74 samples representing 24 feedstuffs are presented in this paper. The average ileal tryptophan digestibility coefficient in wheat was 0.83, in sorghum and triticale 0.75, maize 0.71, soybean meal 0.84, sunflower meal 0.81, canola meal 0.78 and cottonseed meal 0.75. Among the grain legumes, tryptophan in lupins was better digested than that in chickpeas, fababeans and field peas. Among the animal protein meals, the tryptophan digestibility coefficients in fish meal (0.77) and blood meal (0.84) were substantially higher than those in meat meal (0.62), meat-and-bone meal (0.63) and feather meal (0.52). Marked variations in tryptophan digestibility were also observed among samples of fish meal, meat-and-bone meal and meat meal, highlighting significant batch-to-batch differences. For most feedstuffs, considerable variability was observed in the tryptophan concentrations, but such variations were not reflected in digestibility coefficients.
Differential Expression of α-Gustducin in Taste Bud Populations of the Rat and Hamster

The G-protein subunit α-gustducin, which is similar to rod transducin, has been implicated in the transduction of both sweet- and bitter-tasting substances. In rodents, there are differences in sensitivity to sweet and bitter stimuli in different populations of taste buds. Rat fungiform taste buds are more responsive to salts than to sweet stimuli, whereas those on the palate respond predominantly to sweet substances. In contrast, hamster fungiform taste buds are more sensitive to sweet-tasting stimuli. Taste buds in the vallate and foliate papillae of both species are sensitive to bitter compounds. These differences in sensitivity should be reflected in the numbers of gustducin-containing cells in different taste bud populations. We examined taste buds in the rat and hamster for immunoreactivity to an antibody against α-gustducin. Immunofluorescence of labeled taste cells was examined by confocal microscopy, and the cells were counted. Gustducin-positive cells were seen in all taste bud regions; they were spindle-shaped, with circular cross-sections and apical processes that extended to the taste pore. Cells with this characteristic shape in rat vallate taste buds are Type II (light) cells. In the rat, taste buds of the fungiform papillae had fewer gustducin-positive cells (3.1/taste bud) than those of other regions, including the posterior tongue and palate (>8.9/taste bud). Hamster fungiform taste buds contained twice as many gustducin-expressing cells (6.8/taste bud) as those of the rat. These data support the hypothesis that α-gustducin is involved in the transduction of both sweet- and bitter-tasting stimuli by mammalian taste receptor cells.
Identification of the Amino Terminus of Neuronal Ca2+ Channel α1 Subunits α1B and α1E as an Essential Determinant of G-Protein Modulation

We have examined the basis for G-protein modulation of the neuronal voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) α1E and α1B. A novel PCR product of α1E was isolated from rat brain. This contained an extended 5′ DNA sequence and was subcloned onto the previously cloned isoform rbEII, giving rise to α1Elong whose N terminus was extended by 50 amino acids. VDCC α1 subunit constructs were co-expressed with the accessory α2-δ and β2a subunits inXenopus oocytes and mammalian (COS-7) cells. The α1Elong showed biophysical properties similar to those of rbEII; however, when G-protein modulation of expressed α1 subunits was induced by activation of co-expressed dopamine (D2) receptors with quinpirole (100 nm) in oocytes, or by co-transfection of Gβ1γ2 subunits in COS-7 cells, α1Elong, unlike α1E(rbEII), was found to be G-protein-modulated, in terms of both a slowing of activation kinetics and a reduction in current amplitude. However, α1Elong showed less modulation than α1B, and substitution of the α1E1–50 with the corresponding region of α1B1–55 produced a chimera α1bEEEE, with G-protein modulation intermediate between α1Elong and α1B. Furthermore, deletion of the N-terminal 1–55 sequence from α1B produced α1BΔN1–55, which could not be modulated, thus identifying the N-terminal domain as essential for G-protein modulation. Taken together with previous studies, these results indicate that the intracellular N terminus of α1E1–50 and α1B1–55 is likely to contribute to a multicomponent site, together with the intracellular I–II loop and/or the C-terminal tail, which are involved in Gβγ binding and/or in subsequent modulation of channel gating.
Applied climatology

Applied climatology has had a long-standing connection with topics of relevance to the energy industry. Examples include hydrologic studies (e.g., precipitation, snowmelt, streamflow) directed at assessments of hydro-electric power potential; solar radiation climatologies as applied to energy-efficient building design and photo-voltaic cell technology; and wind climatologies to guide the location and design of wind turbines. Recently, growing uncertainties with respect to the security and sustainability of fossil fuel supplies, a widespread aversion to new nuclear or fossil fuel power plants, concern over the impacts of air pollution and the threat of global climate change have revived interest in renewable forms of energy. These trends have also stimulated a drive toward greater energy efficiency. The vulnerability of the renewable energy industry to climate variability and change has become patently obvious with severe weather (droughts, heat waves, harsh winters) creating energy crises in various parts of the globe in recent years (see Dettinger et al., 1998). Consequently, the urgent need to forecast energy supply and demand has fuelled an interest in climate variability and climate forecasting at the seasonal and inter-annual scales. Obviously, this topic has many dimensions and it is perhaps beyond the scope of this review to touch on all of them. Instead, an attempt is made to give a flavour of some of the latest developments and emerging priorities across multiple fronts.
Pollination in Dianthus deltoides (Caryophyllaceae): effects of habitat fragmentation on visitation and seed set

: I analyse the effects of habitat fragmentation on the pollination success of a perennial, butterfly-pollinated, caryophyllaceous herb, the maiden pink, Dianthus deltoides L. The study was conducted in July 1986 and July 1987 at two different sites in southwest Sweden, an undisturbed “mainland” site and a fragmented site consisting of “habitat islands” within a heavily utilized agricultural area The fragmented area had a lower diversity and abundance of both flowering plants and flower-visiting insects. Dianthus flowers received fewer visits in the fragmented area than in the mainland area, and the seed set was much lower. Hand pollination increased seed set up to 4.1 times in the fragmented area, but no significant differences were found between hand-pollinated and control flowers at the mainland site. There were no differences between the two sites in standing crop of nectar, ovule number per flowers, or seed set of bagged flowers, band-pollinated flowers, and hand-pollinated fertilized flowers Thus, the difference in natural seed set between the two sites can be explained by differences in pollinator service. Resumen: Analize los efectos de fragmentacion de habitat sobre el exito de polinizacion de la hierba perenne, “caryophyllacedes, Dianthus deltoides L. ” que es polinada por mariposas. Este estudio fue conducido en julio de 1986 y 1987 en dos diferentes lugares en el suroeste de Suecia, en un lugar pristino del continente y en un lugar fragmentado compuesto de “islas de habitat” dentro una area agricola summente utilizada. La area fragmentada tuvo una diversidad mas baja y una menor abunduncia de plantas florecentes y de insectos tipo visitantes de flores Las flores “Dianthus” recibieron menos visitas en las areas de habitat fragmentada que en la area del continente aun no modificado. La siembra tambien era mas baja. Polinizacion por mano aumento la siembra 4.1 veces mas en la area fragmentada, pero niguna diferencia significante fue encontrada entre las flores polinadas por mano y en el control en el lugar del continente. No bubo diferencias en cosechas paradas del nectar, numero de ovule por flor, o la siembra de flores de bolsas, flores polinadas por mano, y las flores fertilizadas y polinadas por mano, entre los dos lugares. Asi, la diferencia entre la siembra natural de los dos lugares puede ser explicado por las diferencias en el servicio de polinizacion.
Recent hybrid speciation at the origin of the narrow endemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hybridization is known to drive plant speciation through the establishment of homoploid or allopolyploid hybrid species. Here we investigate the origin of Pulmonaria helvetica, a narrow endemic species described across a restricted area of Switzerland that was entirely covered by ice during the last glacial maximum. This species presents an original number of chromosomes (2n = 24) and morphological traits suggestive of a hybrid origin. METHODS We sequenced a plastid locus and 1077 double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) loci in 67 individuals from across the distribution range of P. helvetica and candidate progenitor species growing in the same area. Assignment of genotypes to main genetic clusters within and among taxa using STRUCTURE tested whether P. helvetica represents a genetically differentiated lineage and addressed the hypothesis of its hybrid origin. Comparative ecological modelling further addressed possible niche differentiation among taxa. KEY RESULTS P. helvetica was highlighted as a genetically homogeneous species distinct from co-occurring taxa. Consistent with a scenario of hybrid speciation, it presented clear evidence of balanced admixture between P. officinalis (2n = 16) and P. mollis s.l. (2n = 18, 22) that was also highlighted as maternal progenitor based on plastid sequences. Limited genetic structure within the maternal progenitor is consistent with an origin of P. helvetica through either homoploid hybridization with considerable karyotype changes or via complex scenarios of allopolyploidy involving a dysploid taxon of P. mollis s.l. Comparative niche modelling indicated non-significant ecological differences between P. helvetica and its progenitors, supporting intrinsic factors resulting from hybridization as main drivers of speciation. CONCLUSIONS Hybridization appears as a major process having promoted the postglacial origin of the narrow endemic P. helvetica, suggesting hybrid speciation as an effective process that rapidly produces new species under climate changes.
Effects of nutritional factors on frost hardening in Larix leptolepis (Sieb & Zucc.) Gord.

A method for estimating frost hardiness in seedlings of Larix leptolepis in their first stage of acclimation is demonstrated. Cuttings of the shoot tip were frozen linearly from +2°C to ‐36°C. The viability was determined by TTC‐assay. Data were fitted to a logistic regression model, and hardiness was calculated from the fitting parameters. It was shown that hardiness is influenced by the duration of the fertilizer application period. No effect of the nutrient status of N, P or K in the shoots was found.
Factors influencing the acquisition of rodent carrion by vertebrate scavengers and decomposers

Vertebrate scavengers and decomposers compete for animal carcasses in all temperate and tropical ecosys- tems. We examined the influence of carcass size, forest type, and air temperature on the fate of rodent carcasses at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA. Three hundred rodent carcasses were placed at random locations in forested habitats and scavengers were identified using remote photography. Seventeen species of vertebrates removed 104 of 300 (35%) rodent carcasses over a year. Raccoons (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana Kerr, 1792) scavenged most frequently. For scavenged carcasses, the mean time to carcass removal was 2.58 days after placement. Carcass acquisition by scavengers and decomposers was influenced moderately by forest type and carcass size, although ambient air temperature considerably influenced the fate of carcasses. Vertebrates re - moved fewer carcasses as temperatures increased: only 28 of 144 (19%) carcasses were scavenged when temperatures exceeded 17 °C. The temporal pattern of carcass removal by vertebrates, however, did not vary with temperature. Con- sistent rates of carcass removal by vertebrates across the year and increased activity by insects during warm weather led to elevated levels of decomposition during summer months. This study confirms the complexity and dynamic nature of competitive relationships among scavengers and decomposers. Resume : Les vertebres charognards font competition aux decomposeurs pour l'utilisation des carcasses dans tous les
Complex B Vitamin Improves Performance of Mediterranean Buffalo Calves in Artificial Suckling from Birth to Weaning

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ponderal development, blood parameters and hematological from buffalo calves in artificial suckling supplemented with vitamin-mineral additive from birth to weaning. 18 buffalo calves were used and divided into two random groups: 1) control group; 2) group supplemented with vitamin B complex (Metacell Â®). To evaluation of the ponderal development, the calves were weighed weekly and measured the thoracic perimeter, height and body length. Blood samples were collected weekly throughout the experimental period by jugular vein puncture. The group of calves supplemented with additives showed the greatest ponderal development in relation to the control group. Similarly the group of calves supplemented with additive has higher concentration of total cholesterol, urea and total protein. However there was no additive effect on the levels of glucose, albumin and I²-hydroxybutyrate. The values of leukocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes increased with the oral use of the additive in relation to the control group. This study supports the definition of reference values for the evaluation of buffalo calves during suckling period. The additive use to buffalo calves improves ponderal performance without significantly alter the metabolic profile.
Evaluation of Solubility of Luting Cements in Different Solutions.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the solubility of three luting cements in three different solutions: distilled water and artificial saliva with different pH values (7.4 and 3.0). MATERIALS AND METHODS Resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (GC Fuji Plus) and two resin cements (Multilink Automix and Variolink II) were used. A total of 45 specimens, 15 specimens (15x1 mm) for each cement, were prepared according to ISO standard 4049:2009. The solubility of the cements was calculated by weighing the specimens before and after immersion and desiccation. Values of solubility in water (Wsl) in microgram/mm3 for each of the five specimens were calculated using the following formula (ISO 4049:2009): Wsl=(m1-m3)/V. The Mann-Whitney U nonparametric statistical method and Post hoc sample comparisons were applied. RESULTS GC Fuji Plus showed statistically significant higher solubility in comparison with Variolink II and Multilink Automix in all three solutions. In acidic artificial saliva (pH 3.0) Multilink Automix showed significantly higher values of solubility compared to Variolink II (P<0.016). By studying the effect of pH value on the solubility of GC Fuji Plus cement, significantly higher values of solubility in pH 3.0 artificial saliva were confirmed (P<0.009). The influence of the surrounding pH value on the solubility of the resin cements Multilink Automix and Variolink II was researched. No statistically significant difference was found. CONCLUSION Solubility values were mainly influenced by the proportion of hydrophilic matrix, the type and composition of filler, and the pH value of the solutions.
MATING BEHAVIOUR AND COPULATORY MECHANICS IN SIX SPECIES OF PLANORBIDAE (GASTROPODA: PULMONATA)

Although Planorbidae are one the most common and diverse families of pulmonates, their mating behaviour is known only for a few species. This paper describes mating behaviour and copulatory mechanics in four species of the Planorbidae: Anisus vortex (Linnaeus, 1758), Bathyomphalus sontortus (Linnaeus, 1758), Choanomphalus riparius (Westerlund, 1865) and Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus, 1758), and supplements previously published observations on two other species: Segmentina oelandica (Westerlund, 1885) and Planorbella (Seminolina) duryi (Wetherby, 1879). Patterns of musculature of the penial complex [in all species except P. (S.) duryi] were studied using fluorescent phalloidin dye specific for actin filaments. Choanomphalus riparius, P. planorbis and S. oelandica were shown to mate by shell mounting and display an elaborate courtship behaviour accompanied by shell-circling. Planorbella (S.) duryi mates in a face-to-face position; in this species, courtship is accompanied by mechanical stimulation of the partner’s plicae. Anisus vortex and B. contortus do not exhibit any distinct precopulatory behaviour and mate face-to-face. It is argued that Planorbidae show a relationship between gender expression (functional protandry vs simultaneous hermaphroditism) and mating behaviour (unilateral vs reciprocal mating). The taxonomic utility of the copulatory behaviour and penial musculature is discussed.
Cell Wall Metabolism

INTRODUCTION The cell wall is dead? The cell wall is alive and well? The cell wall consists of an amorphous hemicellulose pectin matrix in which lie cellulose micro­ fibrils? The cell wall consists of a highly ordered macromolecular multi­ l ayered network? Does the cell wall age? How are cell wall components synthesized? Where is the site of bio­ synthesis? Are Golgi, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, or micro­ tubules involved? How are the components transferred and inserted into the wall structure? Why are the growing ends of cellulose microfibrils not ob­ served? What mechanisms control the changeover from primary wall to secondary wall biosynthesis? What is the explanation for the great difference between the degree of polymerization of primary wall and secondary wall cellulose? Is the Loewus pathway for inositol metabolism of significance in changes from primary to secondary wall formation? What is the role of cell wall enzymes such as ascorbic acid oxidase, peroxidase, invertase, phospha­ tase, etc? Which of the multitude of possible cross-linkages actually exist in the wall, and which, if any of these, are labile and under cellular control? I f cell wall autolysis is involved in cell wall growth, which enzymes (autolysins? ) are involved? How is the turnover of cell wall components related to growth? What is the role of the hydroxyproline-rich cell wall pro­ tein "extensin" ? What proportion of the wall polysaccharide is attached to the wall glycoprotein? Is there a protein glycan network in any way analo­ gous to bacterial peptido-glycan? Is it possible to show localization of hy­ droxyproline-rich protein by autoradiography? (Why have different workers reached different conclusions? ) Is it meaningful to use such cl assical terms as apposition and intussusception in considering how cell walls grow? Are classical terms such as pectic substances and hemicellulose sufficiently pre-