Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of auxin‐regulated genes

Auxins constitute a small class of plant hormones having profound effects on plant development. Among the fastest cellular responses to auxin addition is an alteration of gene expression, and the abundance of several mRNA species has been shown to increase, or decrease, within minutes to hours after auxin treatment. The regulation of this process appears, at least partly, to be at the transcriptional level. Using differential screening approaches, a number of auxin-regulated cDNAs and genes have been isolated, mainly from elongating tissues and dividing cells. In addition, an influence of auxin on the regulation of genes isolated for other purposes has also been revealed. With respect to kinetic and dose-response characteristics, as well as to cellular expression and hormonal specificity, individual auxin-regulated genes seem to be regulated very differently, possibly reflecting different modes of auxin action. The present article gives an overview of the expression and function of genes whose mRNA levels have been demonstrated to be altered after auxin treatment, and relates altered gene expression patterns to known auxin responses at the cellular or whole plant level.
Effects of Dietary Protein Level and Feeding Regimen on Growth and on Fattiness of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of (I) high-protein (38%) finisher feed fed to satiation for 30,45,60, or 90 days prior to harvest and (2) dietary protein (32 vs. 38%) and feeding regimen (satiation or restricted) on growth and fattiness of channel catfish. Each study was conducted for two years in earthen ponds stocked with channel catfish at a rate of 13,590 fish/ha (35 to 40 g initial weight) for year 1 and 6,800 fish/ha (0.45 to 0.6 kg initial weight) for year 2. Years refer to year of experiment and not fish age class. There were no significant differences in total yield, dressed yield, or muscle fat, regardless of diet or feeding regimen within year. Year-one fish (study 2) fed to satiation tended to gain more weight and appeared to convert feed better than fish fed at a restricted rate. In study 2 there were significant interactions between year and feed, and between year and feeding regimen. Percentage visceral fat was reduced by feeding a high-protein feed during year 1 (study .
Utilization of Phytoplankton by Zooplankton during the Spring Bloom in a Nova Scotia Inlet

Coulter counter and microscope counts were used to estimate filtration and ingestion rates experimentally for total zooplankton caught by a 233-μm mesh net from two depths during the spring bloom in Bedford Basin. Initially, most phytoplankton were 14 μg chlorophyll∙L−1 and >1 mg C∙L−1 and particle volume was >10 mm3∙L−1. Maximum primary production was >30 mg C∙m−3∙h−1. Dominant phytoplankton included Chaetoceros septentrionale early in the bloom, followed by Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira, Rhizosolenia, and Chaetoceros spp. Barnacle nauplii and Acartia hudsonica were the most common zooplankton near surface and Pseudocalanus sp. in deeper water. Ingestion was usually greatest at or near peaks in the Coulter counter particle spectrum. Filtration rate was proportional to grazer size and amount ingested and also to ambient particle concentration for near-surface but not deeper zooplank.
Uptake and translocation of iron from ferrated rhodotorulic acid in tomato

Abstract Micro‐organisms may develop an iron‐deficiency stress when grown in an alkaline environment and secrete ferric‐specific chelators known as siderophores. Some of these siderophores may have stability constants which can exceed 30. This is comparable to the synethetic Fe chelate FeEDDHA. Our objective was to determine if the Fe‐efficient T3238 FER tomato and the Fe‐inefficient T3238 fer tomato could use iron supplied as the siderophore ferrated‐rhodotorulic acid. After these two tomato cultivars were grown with adequate nutrition to obtain plants large enough for experimental testing, they were grown without iron until Fe‐deficiency‐stress symptoms developed and then iron was supplied as ferrated‐rhodoturulic acid. Iron efficient T3238 FER tomato utilized iron supplied as the siderophore and greened whereas, the Fe‐inefficient T3238 fer tomato plants were chlorotic because they could not use the iron in the siderophore. This study demonstrated that some higher plants subjected to various degrees of.
In vitro rearing of Campoletis sonorensis, a larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens from egg to third instar in an artificial medium devoid of insect sources

Campoletis sonorensis is a solitary larval endoparasitoid of several Heliothis spp. pests. This study was carried out to develop media devoid of insect sources for in vitro rearing the parasitoid. Trehalose, lysine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, hydroxyproline, serine, bovine serum albumin, and lactalbumin were beneficial to C. sonorensis. Addition of fresh chicken egg yolk at a low level improved the artificial media. Addition of 20‐hydroxyecdysone increased the molting rate, reduced the critical size at molt and decreased development time. Parasitoid development in vitro was dependent on eggs that had been in the host for at least 22 h. Luminosity was also critical for the development of C. sonorensis in vitro. Optimal development occurred in a L14:D10 photoperiod at 43 Lux light intensity. Utilizing the best media and conditions, 100% of the parasitoid larvae reached the second instar and over 37% molted to the third instar. However, no further development occurred.
Vascular endothelial growth factor expression along a circadian time span in intact adult mice liver

In the present study we analyzed VEGF-A expression in adult male and female C3H/S mice along a circadian time span. The animals were sacrificed at 00:00, 04:00, 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 h. Samples of the liver from each animal were processed for immunohistochemistry. The VEGF expression index was calculated as positives immunostaining hepatocytes x 100 and analyzed by ANOVA, and the Student–Newman–Keuls Multiple Comparison Test. The results show that in both male and female mice there were significant differences between the values corresponding to all the time points studied. In male mice the values of VEGF expression of 20:00 h are significantly higher than all the others analyzed while in females the value of the 20:00 h was significantly different from the value of the 04:00 h. In conclusion, the hepatocytes of the perivenular areas in the liver of intact adult male and female mice expressed VEGF with a defined circadian rhythm.
Linking local community structure to the dispersal of aquatic invertebrate species in a rock pool metacommunity

Dispersal allows species to immigrate and emigrate to and from habitat patches and is an important factor in determining community structure. The influence of species dispersal in a metacommunity is poorly understood, particularly its effect at the local community level. We aimed to address this deficiency by evaluating the potential influence of dispersal on local community structure in a rock pool metacommunity. Short term dispersal was quantified over an 11 day period by intercepting propagules dispersing via overflowing pool water and via wind. The composition of dispersing organisms was compared to natural local communities in the rock pools surveyed annually on 11 occasions. On average, the composition and abundance of dispersing species was approximately 54.1 ± 9.3% (mean ± SD) similar to the established pool community. Some species were more abundant among dispersers than they were in the pool community. This may be attributed to several factors including a variation in tolerance to environmental conditions, dispersal capacity, and local scale species interactions (predation and competition). In general, we found considerable similarity between short term dispersal and long term local community structure across a metacommunity. Differences in abundance patterns between the resident rock pool community and the dispersal assemblage emphasize that dispersal, a regional process, must interact with local factors in structuring communities.
Shell shape, dysodont tooth morphology, and hinge-ligament thickness in the bay mussel Mytilus trossulus correlate with wave exposure

We examined the shell morphology of the bay mussel Mytilus trossulus (Gould) at six locations with various levels of wave exposure in Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Young adult M. trossulus (29-35 mm shell length) collected from wave-exposed sites displayed striking differences in shell morphology from M. trossulus from sheltered sites. Mytilus trossulus from wave-exposed habitats had a lower shell height / shell width ratio and a thicker shell; they also had higher, more robust dysodont teeth, as well as a thicker hinge ligament. Examination of juveniles (12-14 mm shell length) collected from a wave-exposed shore and a sheltered shore separated by only a few hundred metres displayed similar differences in shell morphology and ligament thickness. These observations suggest that wave exposure is the cause of the observed differences in shell morphology and ligament thickness in M. trossulus. This is the first report of a correlation between wave exposure and .
Catalytic Efficiency of some Mediators in Laccase-Catalyzed Alcohol Oxidation

The enzyme laccase oxidises phenolic groups of lignin but not the non-phenolic ones. Redox mediators activate laccase towards the non-phenolic groups, particularly the benzyl alcohols. The oxidation step is performed by the oxidised form of the mediator, generated on its interaction with laccase. The oxidised mediator can follow an electron transfer, a radical hydrogen atom transfer or an ionic mechanism in the oxidation of the non-phenolic subunits. Support for these conclusions is provided by (i) investigating the product pattern with suitable probe substrates, (ii) measuring the intramolecular kinetic isotope effect. Determination of electrochemical properties and bond dissociation energies via semiempirical calculations enabled us to rationalise the origin of the different mechanistic behaviour of the mediators. Finally, a comparison of different laccase-mediator-systems (LMS), when applied to the delignification of wood pulp, indicates violuric acid as the most efficient mediator, in an oxidation that is selectively directed towards lignin only.
Reciprocal chromosome segment substitution series derived from japonica and indica cross of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Chromosome substitution series are useful tools for precise mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and for the evaluation of gene action as a single factor or in the case of gene interactions. In this study, we produced reciprocal sets of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) between Asominori (Japonica) and IR24 (Indica) in cultivated rice, Oryza sativa L. A set of chromosome segment substitution lines carries a single or a few donor chromosome segments overlapping with neighboring segments in a uniform genetic background. Reciprocal sets were developed by repeated backcrossing to respective recurrent parents and DNA marker-assisted selections. The sets consisted of a series of 70 lines of Asominori CSSLs with IR24 genetic background (designated as ‘IAS’) and a series of 91 lines of IR24 CSSLs with Asominori genetic background (designated as ‘AIS’). These substitution series represented most of the genome of the donor parents on the alien genetic backgrounds. Each of the substitution lines was nearly isogenic to the recurrent parent: the average proportions of recurrent parent’s genome were 93 % and 91 % in the IAS and AIS, respectively. Consistent reciprocal QTL effects for heading date and grain size were observed in both IAS and AIS. The reciprocal substitution set appeared to be an efficient and systematic method for QTL precision analysis.
EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY WITH SOME SAFETY COMPOUNDS ON GROWTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SOME STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 in private farm at El–Dair village, Kalubia governorate in sandy soil, to investigate the effect of foliar spray with some safety compound (Borka vit,Vitamin-X and Chitosan) on growth, productivity and quality of some Strawberry cultivars, i.e., Sweet Charlie, Florida and Festival. This experiments included 12 treatments resulted from the interaction between three cultivars and four safety compound treatments. Obtained results showed that, there were significant differences among the studied strawberry cultivars in all measured vegetative growth traits, fruit yield and its components as well as fruit quality. In this respect, cv. Florida reflected the highest values of early yield. Also, safety compounds-sprayed plants showed its superiority in enhancing the vegetative growth, total produced fruit yield and its components as well as fruit quality. In addition, using Borka vit at 3 g/l followed by Vitamin-X at 0.75cm3/l reflected the highest values in all studied growth and yield traits of tested cultivars. Spraying plants of cv. Festival with Borka vit produced fruits with highest values of TSS and vitamin-c in the two seasons. Thereby, it could be recommended that foliar application with some safety compounds (Borka vit, Vitamin-X and Chitosan) could be used to improve growth, productivity and quality of some Strawberry cultivars.
A simple measure of the strength of convergent evolution

Convergent evolution, the independent occurrence of phenotypic similarity, is a widespread and common phenomenon. Methods have been developed to identify instances of convergence, but there is a lack of techniques for quantifying the strength of convergence. We therefore investigated whether convergent evolution can be quantified in a meaningful way. We have developed a simple metric (the Wheatsheaf index) that provides an index of the strength of convergent evolution incorporating both phenotypic similarity and phylogenetic relatedness. The index is comparable across any quantitative or semiquantitative traits and thus will enable the testing of various hypotheses relating to convergence. The index performs well over a range of conditions. We apply it to an empirical example using Anolis lizard ecomorphs to demonstrate how it can be used. The Wheatsheaf index provides an additional tool that complements methods aimed at identifying cases of convergent evolution. It will enable cases of convergence to be analysed in more detail, test hypotheses about its mechanics as an evolutionary process and, more generally, the predictability of evolution (how often do we see strong convergence and does this mean evolutionary solutions are limited? ).
Extrafloral nectaries indirectly protect small aphid colonies via ant-mediated interactions

When ant-tended aphids parasitize plants with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), ant-mediated indirect interactions occur between the plants and aphids. In particular, when an aphid colony is small, the honeydew production of the colony is insufficient to attract ants, although EFNs can attract many ants. Under this condition, we asked whether a small aphid colony would gain indirect benefits from EFNs because ants would be attracted by the EFNs instead of the aphids, or whether the aphid colony would suffer strong predatory pressure from ants and/or other predators. To clarify the aphid-plant interactions, the protective services provided by two ant species, Lasius japonicus and Tetramorium tsushimae, for the survival of a small colony of Aphis craccivora were examined on the host plant, Vicia faba, with and without EFNs. More workers of both ant species were recruited to the plants with EFNs than to those without EFNs, and the larvae of a predatory ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, stayed for a shorter time and preyed on a smaller number of aphids on the plants with EFNs than on those without EFNs. In addition, no negative effects of EFNs, such as predation of the aphids by the ants, were found. Consequently, it is suggested that a small aphid colony gains indirect benefits from the EFNs of its host plant.
Microsatellite identification of individual sockeye salmon in Barkley Sound, British Columbia

Population structure of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada was examined by analysis of microsatellite variation at 14 loci in three populations sampled in each of 3 years. The mean FST over all 14 loci was 0·063. Differences among populations accounted for 12 times the variation observed among years within populations. The number of alleles present at a locus was related to the power of the locus to provide accurate identification of individuals to population. The more alleles that were present at a locus, the greater was the power of the locus for individual identification. Individuals were correctly classified to one of three lakes of origin at a rate of 89%, and to one of two river drainages at a rate of 96%.
Particular behavior of epoxy xanthophylls during veraison and maturation of grape

Seven carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, flavoxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, luteoxanthin, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin) have been identified and quantitatively determined in three grape cultivars (Mus.
Influence of time of sowing, photoperiod, and temperature on supernumerary spikelet expression in wheat (Triticum)

Three tetraploid (Triticum turgidum L. emend, gr. turgidum and gr. durum) and six hexaploid wheats (Triticum × aestivum L. emend aestivum) with reported tendencies for "branched" heads (supernumerary spikelets) exhibited variation for this character when grown under different photoperiod and temperature regimes. Wheats with a weak vernalization response under short photoperiod in an outdoor (low temperature) environment and those with a strong vernalization response under a long-photoperiod outdoor (low temperature) environment developed more supernumerary spikelets than under other photoperiods and temperatures. There was a variation among the nine wheats in the level and stability of supernumerary spikelet expression and in their fertility and grain number per head over the different times of sowing. This indicates the feasibility for selecting high and stable expression of supernumerary spikelets in breeding to increase spikelet number per head in wheat.
Protective action of antioxidants against amino acids degradation caused by free radicals

It is known that, in the human body, disequilibrium between free radical production and the human system defence, based on enzymatic and antioxidants actions, can produce an oxidative stress status and bring about a biochemical modification and a pathological status. Free radicals cannot be eliminated from the organism because they are continuously produced, but it is possible to control their concentrations. This paper describes the evaluation the effect of oxygen free radicals on amino acids, such as glycine, alanine and histidine, especially as the expression of their interaction with proteins. The first aim has been to develop two analytical methods (potentiometric and conductometric) to measure the amino acid degradability in the presence of radical oxygen species; the second one is to evaluate the short- and long-time action of antioxidants at different concentrations. To estimate the antioxidant capability, free radicals have been produced by the system xanthine/xanthineoxidase in the solution containing one of the three considered amino acids in the presence or absence of the antioxidant.
Overview of the Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research Project

The Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research (OTTER) project is a study of ecosystem functions in coniferous forests using the methods of computer modeling, ex- perimental and theoretical remote sensing, and ecological field and laboratory techniques. The study is focused on predicting the major fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and water, and the factors that dynamically regulate them. The OTTER project was conceived to test two major questions: (1) Can a generalized ecosystem simulation model, designed to use mainly parameters available from remote sensing, predict the functioning of forests across an environmentally variable region? and (2) To what extent can the variables required by this model be derived from remotely sensed data? The scientific objectives and scope of the project demanded that a coordinated effort be made to link ground measurements with remote sensing and modeling requirements. OTTER was selected as a focus for a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-sponsored Multi-sensor Aircraft Campaign (MAC; combining NASA aircraft and sensors with those of others) on the basis of experience gained in past ecosystem studies and remote-sensing projects, and the importance of the OTTER objectives to NASA's long-range science goals and plans. Having several inde- pendent approaches available, both on the ground and from various remote-sensing plat- forms, proved valuable in estimating and validating many of the critical variables. This experience and cross comparison should help simplify future studies of a similar nature. Edited data sets from the OTTER project are now available to the scientific community on optical disks or via on-line data banks at NASA (Washington, D.C., USA) and Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon, USA).
Characterization and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Fructus corni

The composition and antioxidant activities of two polysaccharides PFCAⅢ and PFCCⅠ, isolated from Fructus corni, have been investigated. The monosaccharide components of PFCAⅢ were found to be rhamnose, arabinose and glucose in a molar ratio of 13.74: 50.54: 35.72, whilst PFCCⅠ was found to consist of xylose and glucose in a molar ratio of 18.8: 81.2. The weight-average molecular weights of PFCAⅢ and PFCCⅠwere 1.74×104 and 7.57×104 respectively. The polysaccharides showed potential antioxidant activity by scavenging superoxide anion (O2−∙) and hydroxyl free radicals (OH∙) and this was confirmed by their ability to inhibit oxidation of axunge and gingili. The concentrations required to scavenge 50% of hydroxyl free radicals (EC50) of PFCAⅢ and PFCCⅠ were 430μg/ml and 80μg/ml respectively, and the extents of scavenging O2−∙ by 500μg PFCAⅢ and PFCCⅠwere 15.9% and 68.0% respectively. The polysaccharide PFCCⅠ shows much more significant antioxidant activity than PFCAⅢ. PFCCⅠ was mainly linked with β(1→4)-D-glucosyl with side chains including 1-linked β-D-Glc, 1,6-linked β-D-Glc and 1,4-linked β-D-Xyl with branching points at C-6 of 1,4-linked Glc in main chain. It had the potential to be exploited by the food and pharmaceutical industries in the future with further research on this polysaccharide.
Temperature thresholds of shoot elongation in provenances of Pinus contorta

Periodicity of shoot elongation in seedlings of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. was assessed during one growing season in two extremely different environments (Cowichan Lake, and Red Rock, British Columbia) for 109 provenances sampled range wide. Analysis of variance of total elongation and growth parameters showed significant differences among geographic regions and among provenances within each region. Our study also revealed tremendous genotype-by-environment interaction for growth and phenological traits. The response of growth to temperature of each provenance was assessed from their growth curve using an original methodology. The estimated temperature threshold of the provenance growth responses (i.e., the temperature for which the response reaches half of its maximum) varied between 4.1 and 6.5°C among regions. Threshold temperatures showed less variation than total elongation, and only the northern provenances showed thresholds significantly different from the other regions. Our results show that, .