Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE REGULATION OF MATERNAL INVESTMENT IN AN INDETERMINATE FLOWERING PLANT (LOTUS CORNICULATUS)

Lotus corniculatus is an indeterminate flowering herbaceous perennial that regularly produces many more flowers than mature fruits. In addition, the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the proportion of flowers that initiate, abort, and develop fruits to maturity, the number of seeds per fruit, and seed mass vary within and among individuals of this species. In this study, these components of maternal investment were measured under control, re- source enriched (N-P-K fertilizer), and resource deprived (partial defoliation) conditions on a garden population of even-aged and similar-sized individuals. A controlled pollination experiment showed that resources rather than pollination limit the re- productive output of the plants in this study. The data also show that flower number and seed yield are regulated during the reproductive episode in response to resource availability. An analysis of the various components of flower number and seed yield reveals that L. corniculatus regulates flower number and seed yield under the different resource conditions primarily by altering the number of successive inflorescences/infructescences. Plants subjected to the three experimental treatments did not, however, differ in the proportion of flowers that produced a mature fruit or in the proportion of initiated fruits that matured (or aborted). On each treatment only one of every three flowers produced a mature fruit, and three of every five initiated fruits aborted. These findings suggest that the ratio of flowers to fruits has been selected for reasons other than uncertainties in resource availability. The flowers that fail to produce a mature fruit could be functioning only as males, or they could be pro- viding plants with a "choice" of fruits to mature.
Response of bacterial extracellular enzymes to inundation of floodplain sediments

1. Bacterial extracellular enzymes provide a measure of microbial response to organic matter supply, pivotal to the recovery of riverine food webs after disturbances such as floods. 2. We examined the effects of flood duration on extracellular enzyme response from riverbank and floodplain wetland sediments from the Murrumbidgee River, south-east Australia. 3. There were strong temporal peaks in enzyme activity from both riverbank and billabong sites, peaking between 1 and 5 days following flooding and with a general decline by 21 days. A dominance of non-glucosidase and xylosidase enzymes resulted in no significant differences between billabong and riverbank sediments. This supports the hypothesis that regulated Australian river systems are driven by autochthonous carbon sources. 4. The short response time of the glucosidase after flooding suggests that even short pulses (24 h) in high flows may stimulate bacterial activity, as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loads also peak at this time. However, a longer wetting time may be needed to drive hydrolysis of the proteins, fatty acids and longer chain polysaccharides, whether in the littoral zone of the river or connection with the floodplain.
Synthesis of 6-O-Hexadecyl- and 6-O-Octylsucroses and Their Self-Assembling Properties Under Aqueous Conditions

This paper reports the synthesis and self-assembling properties of 6-O-hexadecyl- and 6-O-octylsucroses. Mono-etherification of 2,3,4,1′,3′,4′-hexa-O-benzylsucrose with the corresponding alkyl bromides predominantly took place at the glucose 6-position and the products were isolated by silica gel column chromatography. Benzyl groups in the isolated products were cleaved to yield the target derivatives. The SEM, TEM, XRD, and DLS results indicated that 6-O-alkylsucroses formed vesicle-type particles via formation of lamellar-like planes under aqueous conditions, which were further merged by fusion of the planes to construct larger aggregates. The self-assembling properties of the materials were different from those of the previously reported 6-O- and 6’-O-hexadecylsucroses mixture.
Allometry of corispermum macrocarpum in response to soil nutrient, water, and population density

The allometric effects of Corispermum macrocarpum Bunge in response to soil nutrient content, water content, and population density were compared in a greenhouse experiment. The results showed that biomass allocation was size-dependent. The plasticity of roots, leaf allocation, and reproductive effort was “true” plasticity (i.e., changing biomass allocation in response to environmental conditions regardless of plant size), and no plasticity was detected in stem allocation in response to soil nutrient variation. At a low soil nutrient content, C. macrocarpum allocated more resources to reproductive organs than to roots and leaves at equivalent plant size, but the value of root allocation was consistent because of the trade-off between the effects of plant size and soil nutrient content. In the response to soil water variation, the plasticity of root allocation and reproductive effort was true plasticity, the plasticity of stem allocation was “apparent” plasticity (i.e., changing biomass allocation in respo.
Studies in the variation of soil reaction. I. Field variations at Barooga, NSW

A study has been made of the variability of soil reaction, in the field, on Barooga Field Station, N.S. W. , and on portion of a nearby property. Soil samples were taken at two depths, 0-4 in. and 4-8 in. , at 4-chain intervals according to a rectangular grid. Other samples were taken at ½-chain intervals on restricted areas, and at 1-foot intervals on grids 4 feet by 3 feet. Differences of more than 3 pH units have been found for samples taken in one continuous area of a single soil type, and differences in excess of 2.5 pH units for individual samples taken 4 chains apart. The differences between individual samples at distances of ½ chain and 1 foot were found to be as large as 1.2-2.0 pH units and 0.6-1.1 pH units respectively. The standard deviation of the differences between adjacent points was considerably smaller in the samples spaced at 1-foot intervals.
Identification of Food and Feed Legumes by RAPD-PCR

Abstract Sixty-two legume seed samples representing 25 species were selected to investigate the identification of food and feed legumes by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Template DNA was extracted from defatted seed meal with SDS-containing buffer and purified by extraction with chloroform:isoamyl alcohol (24:1, v/v). Amplification was performed with Taq DNA polymerase and six commercially available 10-mer nucleotide primers using standard template dilutions for 12 species and optimum template concentrations ascertained by testing serial dilutions for the remaining species. Identification of 19 legume species, common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), runner beans ( P. coccineus ), lima beans ( P. lunatus ), soybeans ( Glycine max ), broadbeans ( Vicia faba ), green gram ( Vigna radiata ), black gram ( V. mungo ), moth beans ( V. aconitifolia ), peas ( Pisum sativum ), chickpeas ( Cicer arietinum ), pigeon peas ( Cajanus cajan ), grasspeas ( Lathyrus sativus ), broad-leaved peas ( L. latifolius ), lentils ( Lens culinaris ), blue lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius ), European yellow lupin ( L. luteus ), white lupin ( L. albus ), alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ), and common sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ), was achieved using four of the primers. The technique may also be suitable to identify the remaining species studied, jackbeans ( Canavalia ensiformis ), swordbeans ( C. gladiata ), horsegram ( Macrotyloma uniflorum ), Florida velvetbean ( Mucuna deeringiana ), sweet trefoil ( Trigonella coerulea ), and birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ).
A 1H NMR Spectroscopic Comparison of γs- and γB-crystallins

Two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopic studies are presented on bovine gamma S- and gamma B-crystallin. In gamma S-crystallin, the four N-terminal residues have great flexibility compared with the rest of the molecule and assume a random coil conformation. NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry show that the N-terminal residue is acetylated. Thus, gamma S-crystallin is similar to the acidic beta-crystallins in having a flexible N-terminal extension and an N-terminus that is blocked with an acetyl group but no C-terminal extension. In addition to the short N-terminal extension in gamma S-crystallin, other unassigned resonances are also observed in the NMR spectra. In gamma B-crystallin, however, cross-peaks in the NH to alpha-CH region of the spectrum are essentially restricted to the last three residues of the C-terminal domain. The NMR data imply that gamma S-crystallin has a more flexible structure than gamma B-crystallin. Sedimentation equilibrium studies on gamma S-crystallin are consistent with this proposal. Resonances from the N-terminal extension of gamma S-crystallin are not affected by the presence of alpha-crystallin implying that this region is not involved in interactions between the two molecules. It is concluded that gamma S-crystallin shares structural properties which are intermediate between the beta- and gamma-crystallins.
Identification of QTLs affecting adaptive traits in Castanea sativa Mill

A QTL analysis for three different adaptive traits was performed in an F 1 progeny of Castanea saliva Mill. The female and male parents originated from two Turkish chestnut populations adapted to a drought and humid environment, respectively. QTLs for bud flush, growth and carbon isotope discrimination were detected over a 3-year period. Bud set was also recorded in the last year of measurement. Thirty-five individual QTLs were detected for phenology, 28 for growth and 17 for carbon isotope discrimination, most of them explaining a low to moderate proportion of the total phenotypic variance. QTLs were distributed throughout the whole genome. Temporally stable QTLs were identified for all the traits analysed, with phenology showing the higher proportion of stable QTLs. Interesting phenotypic correlations and co-localizations among QTLs for different adaptive traits were observed, allowing the formulation of an hypothesis about the genetic adaptation of the female parent to drought.
Strain‐genotype interaction of tobacco mosaic virus in tomato

SUMMARY The symptoms and virus content of isogenic tomato genotypes differing by three tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) resistance factors, Tm-I, Tm-2 and Tm-22, were studied in relation to various isolates of TMV and four strains were identified. The common strain induced no symptoms on plants with any of the factors for resistance, one strain caused symptoms on Tm-I plants, one on Tm-2 plants and one on both Tm-I and Tm-2 plants and also on Tm-I Tm-2 plants. No strain induced symptoms on Tm-22 plants. The gene, Tm-I, was found to be dominant or incompletely dominant for preventing symptom development but was recessive or intermediate for limiting virus multiplication of the common strain. Both Tm-2 and Tm-22 were dominant for a hypersensitive response to the common strain. Virus multiplication was temperature-dependent. The background or varietal genotype did not affect virus multiplication. A systemic necrosis of Tm-22 plants occurred only when heterozygous Tm-22 was not protected by other factors against specific strains of TMV. The complexity of the host genotype, pathogen genotype and environment interactions are outlined and the exploitation of the resistance factors in tomato breeding discussed.
Predatory versatility and intraspecific interactions of Supunna picta (Araneae : Clubionidae)

Abstract Unlike most clubionids, which are nocturnal, drab coloured, hunting spiders, Supunna picta is a highly active diurnal spider with distinctive markings. How this spider interacts with prey and conspecifics was investigated, and the evolutionary significance of this unusual spider’s behaviour is discussed. S. picta is shown to be a versatile predator which not only catches prey cursorially; it also builds a web it uses for detecting prey and invades alien webs where it catches insects and the resident spiders. Unlike some web-invading spiders from other families, S. picta does not use aggressive mimicry when in alien webs. S. picta has a very rapid, erratic style of locomotion which seems to be important in both prey capture and in escape from its own predators. During intraspecific interactions, S. picta performs distinct display behaviours, interactions at and away from webs being similar. Males cohabit with subadult females in webs and mate after they mature. Females make flat, papery egg sacs, .
17α,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one: a steroidal primer pheromone increasing milt volume in the goldfish, Carassius auratus

The volume of milt that could be stripped from male goldfish, Carassius auratus, increased dramatically when fish were exposed overnight to water with concentrations of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P) as low as 10−10 M. A variety of free steroids (pregnenolone, androstenedione, testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, 17β-estradiol) and glucuronated steroids (etiocholanolone glucuronide, testosterone glucuronide, 17β-estradiol glucuronide), suggested by others to function as pheromones in fish, failed to increase milt volume at a concentration of 5 × 10−9 M. The milt response appears to be specific to 17,20P and progesterone precursors (17α-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone), but is most sensitive to 17.20P. Because bilateral section of the olfactory tracts completely blocked the milt response to 17.20P, it is believed to be a pheromone. Selective sectioning of the lateral and medial subdivisions of the olfactory tracts demonstrated that the milt response to 17,20P is dependent on the medial tract. I.
Screening for Antifungal Activities of Some Medicinal Plants used Traditionally in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Aly, M.M. and Bafeel, S.O. 2010. Screening for antifungal activities of some medicinal plants used traditionally in Saudi Arabia. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 39–44. The antimicrobial activities of water and organic crude extracts of 6 medicinal plants (Azadirachta Indica (neem), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Eucalyptus globules, Lawsonia inermis, Lepidium sativum and Rosmarinus officinalis) were detected against different pathogenic yeasts and fungi including strains that were highly resistant to amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Two species of yeasts: Candida albicans and C. tropicals and different species of fungi were used as test organisms. The most active antimicrobial plants were the extract of A. indica, Z. officinale, E. globules and L. inermis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) values ranging from 100–250 μg/ml. Moderate toxicity was recorded at 500 μg/ml for A. Indica and at 600 μg/ml for E. globules. No antitumor activities for the different plant extracts were recorded using the biochemical induction assay (BIA) and Escherichia coli as a test organism. In conclusion, these plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties
Recent Studies on the Effect of Burning on Grassland Vegetation

The forester whose work throws him into contact with stockmen, and especially with the older class of stockmen, very often finds himself at a loss to explain satisfactorily some of the questions put to him. While in Arizona a few years ago I was discussing the Santa Rita Range Reserve with an " old timer" who was pointing out how mesquite had spread on areas under protection. The fact that mesquite was actually spreading had been vouched for by competent authorities. This man was making the point that regular burning at the right time of year would hold mesquite in check and not injure the grass. He discussed certain areas in Texas with which I was acquainted, saying that thirty years ago these were all open grassland, whereas they are now densely covered with shrubbery. Were this an isolated instance not much weight could be attached to it, but similar statements have been repeated so often that some credence must be given to them. Practically everyone who has ridden through forests in the spring has come upon areas which had been burned during the preceding winter or early spring, and has noticed the striking difference in vegetation of the burned portions. Especially noticeable is the difference in the time at which growth begins, as in all cases the vegetation turns green earlier on the burned portions. In explaining the difference between the fresh green color on the burned, and lack of green growth on the unburned, parts we always used the same explanation: the difference was only imaginary, for if we examined the unburned parts closely, we would find as many green shoots as on the burned parts. In my own case I offered this explanation so often that I really believed I could prove it without even stopping to examine such areas. In recent years this belief has been shattered by experiments which have been conducted at the Kansas Experiment Station. These will be discussed in the following pages, because it is believed that they will be of interest to those foresters whose work leads them along grazing lines. In Kansas, as well as in adjoining states, the custom of burning pastures in the spring is still practiced to a considerable extent. Some of the settlers farther west who will argue that burning is desirable are very often men who emigrated from this section. The actual practice has its beginning perhaps
Biomass production of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) stands in Latvia

Abstract: Biomass as a source of renewable energy is gaining an increasing importance in the context of emission targets set by the European Union. Large areas of abandoned agricultural land with different soils are potentially available for establishment of biomass plantations in the Baltic states. Considering soil and climatic requirements as well as traits characteristic for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm) and the scarcity of published knowledge, we assessed the above-ground biomass of Pinus contorta in comparison to that of native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and factors affecting biomass production. Data were collected in 3 experimental trials, located in two sites in central part of Latvia: Zvirgzde and Kuldiga (56°41’ N, 24°28’ E and 57°03’ N, 21°57’ E, respectively). Trials were established with density 5000 tree ha-1, using seed material from Canada (50°08’-60°15’ N, 116°25’-132°50’ W) and two Pinus contorta stands with unknown origin growing in Latvia. Results reveal that absolute dry aboveground biomass of Pinus contorta reaches 114 ± 6.4 t ha-1 at age 16 on a fertile former arable land, 48 ± 3.6 and 94 ± 9.4 t ha-1 at age 22 and 25, respectively, on a sandy forest land (Vacciniosa forest type). The biomass is significantly (p < 0.01) and considerably (more than two-fold) higher than that of the native Pinus sylvestris and the productivity is similar (in fertile soils) or higher (on poor soils) than reported for other species in energy-wood plantations. Provenance was a significant factor affecting the above-ground biomass, and the ranking of provenances did not change significantly between different soil conditions. It provides opportunities for further improvement of productivity using selection.
Studies on the composition of egg lipid.

SUMMARY Studies were carried out on the fractionation and analysis of egg lipid by several new techniques employing thin-layer chromatography. The fatty acid composition of the major lipid classes and subfractions thereof was determined by a combination of alkali-isomerization and gas-liquid chromatography. The positional arrangements of the fatty acids in the glycerides and lecithin fraction were determined. The fatty acids in lecithin were distributed mainly in one type, the α-saturated β-unsaturated type, in contrast to the fatty acids of triglycerides.
The effect of operational sex ratio on sex allocation and neonate phenotype in a viviparous lizard Eremias multiocellata

Maternal investment in the production of male versus female neonates was approximately equal in most animal species. However, sex allocation theory predicts that under certain conditions, selection may favor the females' ability to adjust the sex ratio of their offspring, which females tend to use more for an investment of the rare sex. The mechanism of operational sex ratio (OSR) influence on sex allocation is still unclear, and recent studies conducted on lizards have reached conflicting conclusions. Here, we selected a viviparous lizard Eremias multiocellata to test whether pregnant females could adjust the sex ratio of their offspring in response to OSRs. Our results showed that mothers did not adjust the sex ratios or phenotypes of neonates in the laboratory and field-based experiments, except tail length. However, the OSRs subsequently affected growth in both mass and SVL of the offspring in laboratory experiments; whereas only the mass was affected in the semi-nature field experiments. Our results, thus, contradict the predictions of sex allocation theory and challenge the idea that female investment in the scarcity sex might serve as a mechanism which is used for adjusting the population sex ratio.
Lipid peroxidation and ion exudation of pine callus tissues inoculated with pinewood nematodes

Hideaki IwAHoRi* and Kazuyoshi FUTAI*The callus tissues of susceptible (Pinus parviflora) and resistant species of pine (P .taeda) were inoculated with each of two isolates of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus(pathogenic and nonpathogenic) and one isolate of B. mucronatus (nonpathogenic) . Changes in the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) , as an index of lipid peroxidation ,and that of exuded ion were measured. On the callus tissue of P . parviflora, the amountof MDA increased only when a pathogenic nematode was inoculated , whereas on thecallus tissue of P. taeda, the amount increased with the infection of any of the threeisolates irrespective of its pathogenicity. Thus the callus tissues of P. parvifloraresponded in accordance with the pathogenicity of nematodes while that of P . taeda didnot. Ion exudation from the callus tissue of P. taeda paralleled the pathogenicity ofnematode isolate, whilst that from P. parviflora calli as almost the same with each ofthree isolates. Populations of each nematode isolate grew well on both species of pinecallus tissues. However, on the callus tissue of P . parviflora, the rate of populationincrease until day six was far greater in the pathogenic isolate than nonpathogenicones. In contrast, the rate on the callus tissue of P. taeda was almost the same amongthree isolates. Jpn.J.Nematol. 23: 79-89 (1993). Key words: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, lipid peroxidation, ion exudation, pine wiltdisease, callus tissues