Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling Problems in Conservation Genetics with Brassica rapa: Genetic Variation and Fitness in Plants under Mild, Stable Conditions

Abstract: Rare species are frequently genetically depauperate compared with widespread species, but the degree to which low genetic variation affects short‐term viability is still unresolved. We examined the relationship between population‐level genetic variation and fitness in small, experimental populations of Brassica rapa (a Eurasian annual) in a stable, mild environment. We used allozyme and morphological markers to create populations with either high or low levels of genetic variation. We then grew three high‐variation and three low‐variation populations for six generations under benign growing conditions, with consistent levels of light, nutrients, and water. We measured fitness components and genetic variation throughout the experiment. All populations were maintained at equal sizes (n = 100 seeds to start each generation), and plants were mass‐pollinated to avoid differential inbreeding. Under mild conditions, high‐variation plants did not have consistently higher fitness than low‐variation plants. In generation three, plants in low‐variation populations outperformed high‐variation plants. In generation four, however, which was subjected to unplanned heat stress, high‐variation plants had higher values for many of the fitness components measured, suggesting that, under stress, genetic variation may be associated with a fitness advantage. No differences in multiplicative fitness were found in any generation, indicating that high‐ and low‐variation populations did not differ significantly in overall population viability. Our results indicate that when degree of inbreeding and population size are held constant, genetic variation per se does not increase fitness under benign conditions. As theory predicts, the role of population‐level genetic variation may instead be in enhancing the ability of small populations to remain viable under fluctuating, stressful, or novel conditions.
Phenology of two co-occurring Piper (Piperaceae) species in Brazil

The co-occurrence of some species, including members of the Piper genus, has been shown to be associated with phenological factors. In the present study we analysed vegetative (sprout production and leaf flush) and reproductive phenophases (spike production, flowering, spike abortion, fruiting and dispersed spikes) of the co-occurring species Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth and Piper vicosanum Yunck. and checked the influence of abiotic factors on their phenological behaviour. Our study addressed natural populations in a semi-deciduous seasonal forest in south-eastern Brazil. In both species, the phenophases occurred mainly in the rainy season, were seasonal and associated with environmental variables, especially day length. However, sequential flowering and fruiting isolated them temporally from each other. Other differences were the growth of sexually reproductive sprouts (45.7% of the total sprouts) and the production of latent spikes in P. vicosanum; in P. gaudichaudianum, only 7.1% of the sprouts produced spikes that were not latent. Spike abortion was high: 73.8% (n = 474) in P. vicosanum and 84.8% (n = 231) in P. gaudichaudianum. The remaining spikes with fruits dispersed, on average, 293 and 1168 seeds per spike respectively. Although annual phenological behaviour of the species is regulated by similar environmental variables, their distinct reproductive strategies seem to favour the maintenance of the co-occurring populations.
Variação do índice de área foliar em clones de eucalipto ao longo de seu ciclo de crescimento

The leaf area index (LAI) is one of the key variables for canopy structure description, as it is directly related with evapotranspiration and primary production. This paper presents LAI variation with age for five different genetic materials (MG1, MG2, MG3, MG4 and MG5) of eucalypt plantations (Eucalyptus grandis hybrids), in the eastern Atlantic coast of Brazil. The LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer was used to estimate LAI in 98 stands, with ages ranging from 12 to 84 months. LAI values ranged from 1.7 to 4.3. A negative correlation was observed between LAI and age for genotypes MG1, MG2 and MG3, whereas no significant correlation was detected for clones MG4 and MG5. For applications such as process-based models used to estimate NPP and evapotranspiration for MG4 and MG5, LAI average values of 2.57 and 3.04, respectively, must be used.
Effects of Salinity on Yield and Component Characters in Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars

Cultivars ‘Okapi’, ‘SLM046’, ‘Elite’, ‘Fornax’ and ‘Licord’ Brassica napus were tested for yield and component characters under different levels of salinity. The variations due to salinity levels, cultivars and cultivarxsalinity (interaction) were significant for different characters. The variable degrees of increase and decrease of regression coefficient estimate mates (curve estimation) showed the performance as influenced by different salinity levels. The performance of Brassica napus variety in plant height and days to first flowering was the best for ‘SLM046’, ‘Okapi’ ‘SLM046’ and ‘Okapi’ cultivars. ‘SLM046’ showed the best performance in days to maturity, followed by ‘Licord’ and ‘Elite’. ‘Okapi’ performed better than others regarding the increased number of seeds per plant and seed yield per plant, followed by ‘Fornax’. Considering all characters, the most tolerance ability was found in ‘SLM046’ and ‘Okapi’, against different levels of salinity.
Equações de predição de valores energéticos de alimentos obtidas utilizando meta-análise e componentes principais

The purpose of this study was to develop a meta-analysis study by using the principal components analysis to obtain homogeneous groups of experimental results. In the process of the meta-analysis, it was considered data from 293 experiments carried out in Brazil. Prediction equations were obtained to estimate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of poultry feedstuffs. Data from metabolic trials were used to validate the prediction equations obtained, which were similar than other available equations in the literature. One of the problems in meta-analysis is the determination of the homogeneous groups of experiments and, this problem was eliminated by using principal components, since there was no need to establish variables or factors to be considered in this classification.
Influence of sex on cellularity and lipogenic enzymes of Spanish lamb breeds (Lacha and Rasa Aragonesa)

The effect of sex on the size and number of adipocytes and on the lipogenic enzyme activity in different fat depots in Lacha (L) and Rasa Aragonesa (RA) lambs was studied. Male and female L lambs were fed on ewe milk and were slaughtered at 25 and 24 days of age corresponding to 11·4 and 10·9 kg live weight (UN), respectively. Male and female RA lambs were weaned at 58 days (16·0 kg LW) and were then given concentrates and barley straw until slaughtered at 89 and 91 days of age corresponding to 24·5 and 23·1 kg LW, respectively. A number of parameters were studied in omental (OM), mesenteric (MES) and kidney knob and channel fat (KKCF) depots including the amount of fat, the number and size of adipocytes and the activity of the following enzymes: glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and NADPmalate dehydrogenase (MD). In subcutaneous (SC) and intermuscular (IM) depots, all the former parameters except the adipocyte number were studied. Females of both breeds had higher amounts of adipose tissue than males in the internal fat depots (P as well as larger adipocytes, mainly in the KKCF (P and P for L and RA lambs, respectively) and OM (P in the RA lambs) depots. There were no differences between sexes in the number of adipocytes. The activity of the G3PDH enzyme was higher in females than in males in OM and SC depots (P in L lambs, and in KKCF, IM (P OM and MES (P depots in RA lambs. Thus, the sex effect on adiposity in both breeds studied involved a greater fattening of the females which was consistent with a greater hypertrophy and a higher G3PDH activity .
Effects of loading on the biochemical behavior of molars of Homo, Pan, and Pongo

In a previous study, we found systematic differences in the biomechanical behavior of modern human molars using finite element stress analyses (FESA), which led us to propose that molars are adapted to differently-directed loads depending on their position within the mouth (Spears and Macho (1998) Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 106:467-482 ). While the FESA results thus derived have not been verified experimentally, such an interpretation seemed reasonable. To refine the model previously presented, this study assessed the effects of 1) food particle size on the biomechanical behavior of molars, and those of 2) differences in morphology, particularly enamel thickness, on stress distribution. In order to appraise the evolutionary significance of the findings, the FESA results for modern humans were subsequently compared with those obtained for molars of one individual of Pan and Pongo, respectively. Bearing in mind limitations imposed by the FESA models created and analyzed in this study, constant cleavage-type loads and cuspal tip loads at different directions were employed on all teeth: this facilitated comparisons of patterns of stress distribution across molars and species. In Pan and Homo, cleavage-type loads exerted by big food particles tended to be better dissipated anteriorly than posteriorly, although trends in Pongo were less clear-cut. Furthermore, similar to modern humans, the buccal cusps of mandibular molars appeared to be able to dissipate the loads associated with a pestle-type action, while maxillary molars were better designed to dissipate the loads which would result if they acted as mortars against which the food is crushed/ground. While increases in enamel thick- ness lowered the overall stress values in teeth only slightly, changes in outer morphology could have a more profound effect on these stress levels. Overall, Pan appeared to be most generalized, while Homo and Pongo showed a number of unique specializations, which are in accordance with what is currently understood about their respective masticatory apparatus and dietary niche. Am J Phys Anthropol 109:211-227, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stand response to western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir bark beetle outbreaks, Colorado Front Range

The montane forests (i.e., below ca. 2900 m) of the Colorado Front Range have experienced repeated outbreaks of western spruce budworm (Choristoneuraoccidentalis Free.) and Douglas-fir bark beetle (Dendroctonuspseudotsugae Hopk.), both of which locally attack Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco). In this study we examine the effects of historically documented outbreaks of these insects on succession, stand structure, and radial growth of host and nonhost species in Rocky Mountain National Park. The most recent budworm (1974–1985) and bark beetle (1984–present) outbreaks resulted in the most severe and widespread disturbance of these forests since the late 1800s. Stand response to these outbreaks is primarily a function of stand structure and age characteristics of Douglas-fir prior to an outbreak. Young, vigorous postfire stands show minimal budworm defoliation, and in these stands only remnant trees from the prefire generation appear susceptible to beetle-caused mortality. Dense stands exhib.
Studies on blood engorgement in beef carcasses

This study examined whether delayed bleeding at slaughter affected the overall appearance and residual blood content of beef. Three muscles were analysed for residual blood content, and when delayed bleeding was performed only the forequarter muscle showed high blood levels indicating that engorgement occurred where blood had gravitated within the carcass. Electrical stimulation of the carcass immediately before delayed bleeding did not expel any of the retained blood. In terms of the overall appearance of the carcass, the worst sites for blood engorgement were the thymus, lungs and subcutaneous fat at the brisket and neck. A trial was also conducted which showed that inducing a cardiac arrest helped to reduce the expression of bruises inflicted at stunning or slaughter.
HOST‐PLANT RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PAPILIONIDAE (LEPIDOPTERA): PARALLEL CLADOGENESIS OR COLONIZATION?

Abstract— Stepwise coevolution, as defined by Ehrlich and Raven (1964) and others, can be equated with parallel cladogenesis or association by descent (Mitter and Brooks, 1983). I review the insect/plant literature and discuss recent cladistic findings for the Papilionidae, and compare two contrasting theories: 1) that insect/host associations have evolved through parallel cladogenesis; or 2) that insects have ‘colonized’ their hosts subsequent to plant cladogenesis. I conclude that no documented examples of parallel cladogenesis between insects and plants are known. The swallowtail cladograms instead offer evidence in support of the second theory. They suggest that host association patterns in the Papilionidae have resulted from repeated colonization of plants belonging to a relatively small number of families. I discuss data which indicate that plant secondary chemicals have been important ‘barriers’ to colonization (sensu Ehrlich and Raven, 1964), and have in large part mediated host switching in the Papilionidae.
Rhizobacterial effects on nickel extraction from soil and uptake by Alyssum murale

Summary • Alyssum murale has a remarkable ability to hyperaccumulate Ni from soils containing mostly nonlabile Ni. Here, rhizobacteria are shown to play an important role in increasing the availability of Ni in soil, thus enhancing Ni accumulation by A. murale. • Three bacteria, originally isolated from the rhizosphere of A. murale, were examined for their ability to solubilize Ni in soil and for their effect on Ni uptake into Alyssum. Sphingomonas macrogoltabidus, Microbacterium liquefaciens, and Microbacterium arabinogalactanolyticum were added to both sterile and nonsterile Ni-rich Serpentine soil from OR, USA. • Sphingomonas macrogoltabidus significantly reduced Ni extraction by 10 mM Sr(NO3)2 from soil, M. arabinogalactanolyticum significantly increased Ni extraction, whereas M. liquefaciens had no effect. Extractability of few other metals was affected by inoculation. When these bacteria were added to surface-sterilized seeds of A. murale grown in nonsterile soil, they increased Ni uptake into the shoot by 17% (S. macrogoltabidus), 24% (M. liquefaciens), and 32.4% (M. arabinogalactanolyticum), compared with uninoculated controls. • These results show that bacteria are important for Ni uptake, which from a commercial perspective, could significantly increase revenue generated during phytomining of Ni from soil.
A New Type of Rhythmic Plant Movement: Mocronutation

A low amplitude oscillatory movement, distinct from the nutational movements occurring in the same plant, has been found to occur in seedling plants of runner bean. The frequency of the oscillation is between two and five cycles per hour, and appears to have a temperature coefficient of 2-24 in the range 15-25° C. The theoretical implication of this oscillation on the 'geotropic hunting' theory of nutation is discussed.
Gymnomyces sublevisporus ( Russulales , una nueva especie de la región mediterránea

Gymnomyces sublevisporus (Russulales), una nueva especie de la region mediterranea. Se describe Gymnomyces sublevisporus Moreno-Arroyo, Llistosella et Romero de la Osa, una nueva especie gasteroide de las Russulales de la region mediterranea andaluza (S de Espana). Se describen e ilustran los principales caracteres macro y microscopicos de este nuevo taxon, y se aportan fotografias en color y al microscopio electronico de barrido . Se comenta y discute su adscripcion taxonomica dentro de las Russulales.
Ant Defense Versus Induced Defense in Lafoensia pacari (Lythraceae), a Myrmecophilous Tree of the Brazilian Cerrado 1

We compared the effects of ant presence at extrafloral nectaries of Lafoensia pacari St. Hil. on herbivore damage and silicon accumulation. Plants that were accessible to ants experienced lower herbivory levels over the first 3 mo of the experiment. After 3 mo, most leaves were fully expanded with inactive extrafloral nectaries; by 6 mo there was no effect of ant access on herbivore damage. Along with experiencing higher herbivory, plants in the ant‐exclusion treatment had significantly higher silicon levels in their leaves, suggesting that silicon serves as an induced defense in this ant–plant–herbivore interaction.
Molecular methods to evaluate effects of feed additives and nutrients in poultry gut microflora

O intestino de cada animal e o nicho de um ecossistema complexo e dinâmico com efeitos importantes para o hospedeiro. As comunidades microbianas componentes deste ecossistema e/ou os produtos finais do metabolismo influenciam a digestao e absorcao de nutrientes, o metabolismo das mucosas, a fisiologia geral e as respostas imunitarias locais e gerais da ave hospedeira. A melhor compreensao do ecossistema microbiano do intestino das aves pode levar a melhorias na produtividade, saude, bem estar, e reducao de agente patogenicos dos alimentos e do impacto ambiental da producao avicola para uma industria mais sustentavel. Os metodos moleculares da ecologia microbiana sao ferramentas chaves para obter este conhecimento. O objetivo desta apresentacao e descrever os conceitos basicos, aplicacoes, vantagens, limitacoes, e evolucao destes metodos moleculares usados para estudar a ecologia microbiana do intestino. A meta final e estimular sua aplicacao em pesquisa avicola aplicada e desenvolvimento de novos aditivos para alimentos. Alguns exemplos praticos em pesquisa avicola serao descritos para ilustrar sua relevância para avancar em metodos de controle de agentes patogenicos, evitar ou manejar a disbiose ou doencas intestinais sub-clinicas, reduzir o impacto ambiental, esclarecer os efeitos dos nutrientes na mucosa intestinal, a microflora e, em geral, melhorar o desempenho das aves.
Nitrogen‐ and Water‐Use Efficiency of Several Cool‐Season Grasses Receiving Ammonium Nitrate for 9 Years1

Comparative information is needed on differences between grass species regarding dry matter production, root growth, water use, and response to N fertilization, as affected by both age of stand or years of N fertilization. The research reported here was conducted on a Temvik silt loam (fine-silty, frigid, mixed Typic Haploboroll) at Mandan, ND. Ammonium nitrate was surface broadcast at 0, 45, or 225 kg N/ha for 9 years on established stands of western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii Rydb. (Love)], crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult. ], intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski], smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski], green needlegrass (Stipa viridula Trin.), and Garrison creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus Poir). Dry matter production was usually greatest for E. intermedia. Production for B. inermis, P. smithii, and A. desertorum averaged 85 to 90% that of E. intermedia, and about 65 to 72% for the other species. Dry matter production for all species was generally doubled by 45 kg N/ha, and increased three-to fourfold with 225 kg N/ha. At 45 kg N/ha, N-use efficiency varied from an average of 51 kg dry matter per kg N for E. intermedia to 22 for Ps. juncea. Corresponding values at 225 kg N/ha dropped to 16 and 12 kg/kg N. Root dry weights were generally increased 50 to 100% by both N rates, but consistent differences among species were not evident. Annual water use was increased about 20 mm by fertilization, except in extreme drought years. Water-use efficiency (WUE) was also increased about threefold by fertilization, ranging from 22.6 kg/mm for fertilized E. intermedia to 3.2 for nonfertilized Al. arundinaceus. Water-use efficiency was highly correlated with dry matter production, increasing about 2.8 kg/mm for each 1000 kg/ha increase in production, with no effect of species, time, or N fertilization.
Ethanol production from raw sago starch under unsterile condition

In order to utilize raw sago starch as fermentation material, mold strain (Aspergillus niger N-10) which produces raw sago starch hydrolyzing enzyme, was isolated. Maximum raw sago starch consumption rate by the strain was obtained when the initial pH of the medium was 3.5 and the enzyme showed high stability and activity at lower pH values. Direct ethanol production from raw sago starch was investigated using a mixture of the strain and ethanol producing yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFO 0309. Neither the growth of the strains nor ethanol production was inhibited in the mixed culture of the two strains. Moreover, when fed-batch mixed culture was conducted under unsterile condition (both the medium and the apparatus were not sterilized), about 30g/1 of ethanol was produced with ethanol yield from raw sago starch Yp/s of 0.40g ethanol/g starch. Ethanolherstellung aus Roh-Sagostarke unter unsteriler Bedingung. Um Roh-Sagostarke als Fermentationsmaterial zu verwenden, wurde ein Schimmelstamm (Aspergillus niger N-10), der Roh-Sagostarke hydrolysierendes Enzym produziert, isoliert. Die Roh-Sagostarke verarbeitende Geschwindigkeit durch den Stamm wurde maximal erhalten, wenn der Anfangs-pH-Wert des Mediums 3,5 betrug und das Enzym hohe Stabilitat und Aktivitat bei niedrigeren pH-Werten zeigt. Direkte Ethanolproduktion wurde gefunden bei Verwendung einer Mischung des Stammes und Ethanol erzeugender Hefe, Saccharomyes cerevisiae IFO 0309. Weder das Wachstum der Stamme noch die Ethanolerzeugung wurde in der gemischten Kultur der beiden Stamme inhibiert. Daruber hinaus wurden etwa 30g/1 Ethanol produziert bei einer Ethanolausbeute aus Roh-Sagostarke Yp/s, entsprechend 0,40g Ethanol/g Starke.