Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A model for simulating transpiration of Eucalyptus salmonophloia trees

Understanding the water relations of Eucalyptus trees plays an important role in finding solutions to dryland salinity in southern Australia. A model for studying structure-function relationships in isolated tree crowns (radiation absorption, transpiration and photosynthesis, RATP) was parameterized to permit the seasonal transpiration course of a Eucalyptus salmonophloia tree to be quantified. Model responses to different parameterizations were tested in a sensitivity analysis. Predictive quality was mostly affected by the accuracy of information about leaf area density and stomatal responses to air vapor pressure deficit, and to a lesser extend by foliage dispersion. Assuming simple, non-synergistic influences of changes in photosynthetic active radiation and air vapor pressure deficit on stomatal transpiration control, the model was able to simulate the daily water uptake of E. salmonophloia trees with reasonable predictive quality during an entire season. In order to more precisely simulate short-term (i.e. diurnal) water use dynamics, the model must be extended to account for hydraulic and chemical controls of stomatal regulation of crown energy balance.
A study of photorespiratory ammonia production in the C4 plant Amaranthus edulis, using mutants with altered photosynthetic capacities

Previous studies have indicated that the rate of photorespiration in C4 plants is low or negligible. In this study, wild-type and mutant leaves of the C4 plant Amaranthus edulis were treated with the glutamine synthetase inhibitor, phosphinothricin and the glycine decarboxylase inhibitor, aminoacetonitrile, at different concentrations of CO2. The time course of ammonia accumulation in leaves of the wild type was compared with a mutant lacking phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity (EC 4.1.1.31), and with three different mutants that accumulated glycine. The increase in the concentration of ammonia in the leaves, stimulated by the treatments was used as a measurement of the rate of photorespiration in C4 plants. The application of glutamine and glycine maintained the rate of photorespiratory ammonia production for a longer period in the wild type, and increased the rate in a mutant lacking phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase suggesting that there was a lack of amino donors in these plants. The calculated rate of photorespiration in Amaranthus edulis wild-type leaves when the supply of amino donors was enough to maintain the photorespiratory nitrogen flow, accounted for approximately 6% of the total net photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate. In a mutant lacking phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, however, this rate increased to 48%, when glutamine was fed to the leaf, a value higher than that found in some C3 plants. In mutants of Amaranthus edulis that accumulated glycine, the rate of photorespiration was reduced to 3% of the total net CO2 assimilation rate. The rate of ammonia produced during photorespiration was 60% of the total produced by all metabolic reactions in the leaves. The data suggests that photorespiration is an active process in C4 plants, which can play an important role in photosynthetic metabolism in these plants.
Vectorization of Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. (Hypericaceae) ethanolic leaf extract by using PLG‐nanoparticles: antibacterial activity assessment

This study was undertaken to compare the in vitro and ex vivo antibacterial activity of an ethanolic Harungana madagascariensis leaf extract (HLE) incorporated into poly (D,L‐lactide‐co–glycolide) nanoparticles (HLE‐PLG‐NP). Two concentrations of HLE (500 and 1,000 µg/mL) for the in vitro study and one concentration (500 µg/mL) for the ex vivo study were compared using two gram‐positive bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus epidermidis), and one gram‐negative bacterial strain (Moraxella sp.). The ex vivo antibacterial activity was evaluated on S. epidermidis CIP 55109 (SE) using an artificial contamination method. SE was inoculated for 12 h onto human skin fragment surfaces treated for 5 min either with HLE loaded, unloaded PLG‐NP, or HLE solution. In vitro, the two preparations inhibited completely the growth of all bacterial strains at 1,000 µg/mL. However, the HLE‐PLG‐NP had a significant antibacterial activity against SE (18.4±1.8–0.4±0.2 CFU/mL, P<0.05), and a marked antibacterial effect against M. luteus (ML) and Moraxella sp. (Msp) compared to HLE solution at 500 µg/mL. Ex vivo, HLE‐PLG‐NP at 500 µg/mL reduced viable bacteria (6.3–4.8 log10), compared to the HLE solution (6.3–5.5 log10) after 4 h artificial contamination (P<0.05). A thin layer chromatography study of both HLE solution and HLE‐PLG‐NP showed that among the seven components found on the chromatogram of the HLE solution, only two were present on the nanoparticles, one including a flavonoid heteroside fraction responsible for the antibacterial properties. The incorporation of the HLE into a colloidal carrier improved antibacterial performance. Drug Dev. Res. 65:26–33, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delayed Flood for Management of Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Draining and reestablishment of permanent flood has been used to prevent injury caused by larvae of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. However, there are negative effects associated with this management practice such as loss of weed control and nitrogen, which necessitate the reapplication of herbicide and nitrogen followed by the reestablishment of permanent flood. An alternative to draining rice, Oryza sativa L. , fields for rice water weevil management is to simply delay the establishment of the permanent flood. Delayed flood avoids problems associated with draining and reflooding fields. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of delayed flood for rice water weevil management and its impact on weed management using a herbicide resistant rice line. Use of herbicide resistant rice lines enables the application of delayed flood for rice water weevil management because of an increased spectrum of herbicidal activity against weeds. Delaying flood significantly reduced and delayed rice water weevil larval populations, providing an alternative cultural practice for rice water weevil management. Significantly improved management of noxious weeds was also observed without additional herbicide inputs. We anticipate that the yield gain from rice water weevil management without an insecticide application and with reduced (or altered) herbicide applications will be such that the potential yield loss from delayed flooding (as a result of possible physiological stress on the rice plant) will be offset.
Impact of Varying Mesh Size and Depth of Fishing on the Financial Performance of an Integrated Harvesting/Processing Operation for Redfish in the Northwest Atlantic

Abstract The impact of alternative mesh sizes for codends of otter trawls on the profitability of a fishery for redfish (Sebastes spp.) in Division 2J-3K of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization area was examined. The implications of mesh size on catch rates, size of fish in the catch, and on long-term catches were translated into financial terms. Fishing with a 114-mm mesh codend in a depth range of 401-500 m was found to maximize profitability in the case examined, but a mesh size exceeding 127 mm must be used to optimize the profit margin in the 301-400 m depth range. The authors analysed the sensitivity of these results to key parameters such as vessel hold capacity, labour costs, and catch rates. Adoption of an annual fishing mortality rate of 0.05, a rate well below the current reference point of 0.14 for management of this fishery, was estimated to increase long-term profitability for the fleet studied.
Recovery over time of production performance and biological functions of laying hens after withdrawal toxic levels of dietary roxarsone

Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) has been used as feed additives in poultry industries to improve production and control coccidiosis. The effect of high dietary levels of Roxarsone (ROX) on the performance and function of internal organs and the kinetics of recovery as well as its after-effects were examined in laying hens. The inclusion rates of ROX were 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg per kg feed. Inclusion up to 200 mg did not show any adverse effects (p>0.05), whereas in the 300 and 400 mg groups, significant effects, particularly in the latter, were observed for three weeks after ROX addition (p 0.05), whereas in the higher dosage groups (300 or 400 mg groups), recovery took at least five weeks; when complete recovery was observed in egg production and in liver weight (p>0.05). On the other hand, ROX might have damaged the liver and other tissues. The recovery of liver weight was probably due to accumulation of fatty particles rather than repair. It appeared, therefore, there were little after-effects of ROX on the hen's physical appearance, but some internal organs were probably damaged. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 1 : 48-54)
Evidence for reutilization of nodule iron in soybean seed development

Abstract Iron (Fe) is required in plants for the function of the important processes of photosynthesis, respiration, DNA synthesis, and nitrogen (N) fixation. Concentrations of Fe show tissue specific changes during development. In soybean seeds, Fe accumulates through the linear phase of seed development, but the source of seed Fe, whether remobilized from other tissues or taken from the root environment, is not known. Root nodules of legumes have higher concentrations of Fe than other vegetative organs. To examine whether nodules could provide Fe to the seeds, two cultivars (Tokyo and Arksoy), differing in seed ferritin and Fe content were grown in a phytotron and given a single dose of 59Fe‐EDTA early in development [15 days after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium (DAI)]. The 59Fe distribution as well as immunoreactive ferritin were examined throughout development in nodule, leaf, and seed tissue. Leaves, nodules, and seeds accounted for 75 to 87% of the total plant 59Fe throughout the reproductive perio.
Changes in Glycogen, Pyruvate and Lactate in Rainbow Trout with Bacterial Gill Disease

To test the hypothesis that mortality of bacterial gill disease (BGD) is related to tissue hypoxia, changes in glycogen, pyruvate and lactate concentrations in muscle tissue of juvenile rainbow trout with BGD were determined. The muscle levels of glycogen and lactate in fish infected experimentally with Flavobacterium sp. BGD 7721 (ATCC 35035) showed a progressive decline following infection. This was interpreted as reflection of the fact that the infected fish were listless and did not take food. Muscle lactate concentration reached the lowest values, 78.6±27.0 mg%, when the experimental fish began to turn sideways, and then rised to 133.0±57.7mg%until they died. The increase in muscle lactate/pyruvate ratio (L/P ratio) at the time of death was more significant than that in muscle lactate. This appeared to reflect the accumulation of “excess lactate” in the muscle.We concluded that a breakdown in gas exchange at the gills in the fish with BGD caused the failure in circulation to provide oxygen enough to remove excess lactate from the muscle, even though the level of muscle lactate was not so high as that of healthy fish.
Nitrate reductase and its role in nitrate assimilation in plants

Nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) is an enzyme found in most higher plants and appears to be a key regulator of nitrate assimilation as a result of enzyme induction by nitrate. The biochemistry of nitrate reductase has been elucidated to a great extent and the role that nitrate reductase plays in regulation of nitrate assimilation is becoming understood.
Diversity and Distributional Patterns of Neotropical Freshwater Copepods (Calanoida: Diaptomidae)

The distributional patterns and diversity of the diaptomid calanoid copepods were analysed to assess the faunistic affinity of North and South America with respect to Mexico and Central America. In the Neotropical region, the most speciose genera of Diaptomidae are Leptodiaptomus and Mastigodiaptomus. The former genus is a Nearctic form, and Mastigodiaptomus is Neotropical. Based on the current distribution of their diversity, it is probable that these genera radiated into Mexico and Central America from North America and the insular Caribbean, respectively. Arctodiaptomus dorsalis is a primarily Palaearctic taxon, it is widely distributed between North and Central America. This species probably radiated in the Americas as a Tethyan derivate. Prionodiaptomus is the only member of the highly diverse South American diaptomid fauna that has expanded beyond the subcontinent. Despite the high diversity present in South America, its influence in Mexico and Central America appears to be weak; this is probably a consequence of the geologically recent union of the two main subcontinental landmasses. Mexico shares 33% of its species with NA, and no species are shared between NA and SA. For the Diaptomidae, the Nearctic influence is strongest in Mexico. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Winter legumes as a nitrogen source for no-till grain sorghum

Because winter legume cover crops may provide significant quantities of N while conserving soil and water resources, the role of legumes in conservation tillage production systems warrants renewed attention. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the N contribution of several legumes to a subsequent crop of grain sorghum [ (L.) Moench] under no-tillage management and (ii) to determine the influence of legume cover crops on soil fertility status. A field experiment was conducted in which four winter legumes, one nonlegume, and a no cover crop treatment were studied over a 3-yr period. In addition, four fertilizer N rates (0, 28, 56, and 112 kg N ha) were applied to no-till grain sorghum. Grain sorghum did not respond to fertilizer N when following a legume cover crop but responded to as much as 99 kg N ha when following a nonlegume cover crop or no cover crop. A mean estimate of 72 kg N ha was obtained for the fertilizer N replaced by the legume. Theeffects of the legume cover crops on soil fertility status included: (i) a lower pH, (ii) a redistribution of K to the soil surface from deeper in the soil profile, and (iii) a lower C/N ratio in soil organic matter. Since fertilizer N represents a sizeable portion of the fossil fuel energy required for nonleguminous row crop production, the estimated N contribution of legume cover crops represents a significant energy savings, enhancing the conservation value of a no-tillage production system.
On a new medusa, Krampella dubia n.g., n.sp.

In a collection made with a 2 m stramin ring trawl at 47°03′ N. , 5° 47′ W. on 4 July 1956, with 800 fathoms of wire out, I have found a new species of medusa. This specimen is in a comparatively good state of preservation except that the stomach is badly damaged. The umbrella is hemispherical and the jelly is moderately thick. The form of the stomach cannot be described for certain. Parts of it are to be seen as narrow strips hanging down from the upper ends of three of the radial canals. One of these strips is continued for a short distance along the subumbrella surface towards the summit. It has the form of two short curtains with a space between them which leads into the radial canal. It thus seems quite possible that the stomach is i n fact an open cross with mouth lips extending along each arm as in Staurophora.
Inverse relationship of crown fractal dimension to self-thinning exponent of tree populations: a hypothesis

The self-thinning rule describes in overcrowded even-aged plant monocultures a consistent relationship of mean mass to the approximately −3/2 power of plant density. Recent analyses revealed cases of statistically significant departures of the exponent from −3/2, confirming earlier suggestions. Shade tolerance, crown structure, and stand conditions have been suggested to influence variation in the self-thinning exponent; however, quantitative relationships of the species' traits to thinning exponent have been unclear. I examined patterns of crown fractal dimension, a quantitative measure of crown structure, and their relationship to the self-thinning exponent in four tree species, Nothofagussolandri var. cliffortioides (Hook. f.) Poole, Pinusbanksiana Lamb. , Pinusdensiflora Sieb. et Zucc. , and Cryptomeriajaponica (Linn. fil.) D. Don. Only stands at maximum crowding were used for analysis. Crown fractal dimension of monocultures is hypothesized to be a factor determining the species-specific variation in t.
The influence of the γ2L subunit on the modulation of responses to GABAA receptor activation

1 Whole‐cell patch clamp recordings were made from L‐cells transfected with 2 combinations of subunits of the GABAA receptor. Log concentration‐response curves were constructed to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on α1,β1,γ2L containing cells and compared to those from α1,β1 containing cells. The effects of flunitrazepam, pentobarbitone and alphaxalone on the concentration‐response relationships were also examined. 2 From the log concentration‐response curves, GABA had a mean (± s.e.mean) pEC50 = 5.2 ± 0.09 and slope factor = 1.7 ± 0.02 on α1β1,γ2L cells which were significantly different from the values obtained from α1,β1 cells where the pEC50 = 5.6 ± 0.02 and the slope = 1.5 ±0.02. 3 Flunitrazepam produced a parallel leftward shift of GABA concentration‐response curves on α1,β1,γ2L cells. The EC50 for flunitrazepam = 6.3 ± 2.7 nm. No increase in the maxima of the GABA concentration‐response curves was found in the presence of flunitrazepam. Flunitrazepam did not potentiate responses from α1,β1 cells. 4 The log concentration‐response curves from both populations of cells were shifted to the left by equal amounts by pentobarbitone. A significant increase in the maximal response to GABA was also produced by pentobarbitone. This occurred at lower concentrations of pentobarbitone on α1,β1 cells. 5 Alphaxalone produced leftward shifts of GABA log concentration‐response curves of similar magnitudes in both populations of cells. Significant increases in the maxima were found at 100 nm in α1,β1 cells but not up to 1 μm in α1,β1,γ2L cells. 6 These results provide further evidence of the modulatory role of the γ2L subunit of the GABAA receptor containing α1 and β1 subunits. As well as influencing the apparent affinity of GABA and conferring benzodiazepine modulation, it also appeared to regulate the increase in maximal response produced in the presence of barbiturates and steroids. This latter effect may imply that barbiturates and steroids increase the channel open‐state probability in the presence of GABA and that this effect is diminished by the presence of the γ2L subunit.
Common Bean Reaction to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Phaseoli, the Cause of Severe Vascular Wilt in Central Africa

During the September-December season of 1990, severe symptoms of Fusarium wilt were for the first time observed on a popular climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar. G 2333. introduced within the previous 5 years. Seventy-three bean genotypes were screened for resistance lo the disease, using artificial inoculation. The effect of inoculation density on the reaction of four selected genotypes was also investigated. Of the 29 climbing bean genotypes evaluated, 19 were resistant, including 11 of the 15 pre-release or released cultivars. Of the 44 bush bean cultivars evaluated, 28 were resistant, five were intermediate and 11 were susceptible. All susceptible cultivars showed vascular discoloration. In both susceptible and resistant genotypes, the fungus spread almost equally from the entry points in inoculated roots to the base of the plants, but colonization and vertical spread within the vascular system were markedly less in resistant than in susceptible cultivars. At 20 and 30 cm above soil level, the fungus was only recovered from susceptible cultivars. Increasing inoculum density from 102 to 107 conidia/ml did not affect the resistance of cultivars RWR 950 and G 685 but. in the susceptible cultivars G 2333 and MLB-48-89 A. it resulted in early appearance, high incidence and severity of the disease.
Diving Behavior and Energetics During Foraging Cycles in King Penguins

King Penguins are the second largest of all diving birds and share with their congener, Emperor Penguins, breeding habits strikingly different from other penguins. Our purpose was to determine the feeding behavior, energetics of foraging and the prey species, and compare these to other sympatric species of subantarctic divers. We determined: (1) general features of foraging behavior using time—depth recorders, velocity meters, and radio transmitters, (2) energetics by doubly labeled water, (3) food habits and energy content from stomach lavage samples, and (4) resting and swimming metabolic rate by oxygen consumption measurements. The average foraging cycle was ≈6 d, during which the mass gain of 30 birds was ≈2 kg. When at sea, the birds exhibit a marked pattern of shallow dives during the night, whereas deep dives of >100 m only occurred during the day. Maximum depth measured from 34 birds and 18 537 dives was 304 m, and maximum dive duration from 23 birds and 11 874 dives was 7.7 min. The frequency distribution of dive depth was bimodal, with few dives between 40 and 100 m. Overall, swim velocities when a bird was at sea averaged 2.1 m/s (N = 5), while descent and ascent rates of change in depth averaged 0.6 m/s for dives 150 m (N = 90). Night feeding dives occurred at a rate of ≈20 dives/h, and deep dives occurred at a rate of ≈5 dives/h. The energy consumption rate while resting ashore was 3.3 W/kg (N = 3) or 1.6 times the predicted standard metabolic rate (SMR). The average energy consumption rate while away from the colony was 10 W/kg (N = 8) or 4.6 x SMR, compared to 4.3 x SMR estimated from a time—energy budget. The latter value is based on an average metabolic rate of 4.2 W/kg for three birds while resting in 5°C water and 9.6 W/kg while swimming at 2 m/s, which was extrapolated from the average of three birds swimming at 1 m/s. The average energy intake based on 9 stomach content samples was nearly 24.6 kJ/g dry mass. The main prey by number are myctophid fish of the species Krefftichthys anderssoni and Electrona carlsbergi. It was concluded that: (1) feeding begins ≈28 km from the colony, (2) prey is pursued night and day through its vertical movements, (3) vertical distribution of the prey is reflected closely by diving habits of the birds, (4) deep—diving, for unknown reasons, is an important component of foraging success, (5) diving capacities of King Penguins are remarkable compared to other birds and many pinnipeds, and (6) calculated foraging energetics can be closely estimated from time—energy budgets.