Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indirect Versus Direct Selection of Adaptable Genotypes of Coffea canephora for Drought Stress and Non-Stress Conditions

Improving breeding strategies for adaptation to water-deficit stress is an important challenge to increasing coffee yields. In a nine-year experiment, 18 genotypes were tested under drought-stress and non-stress conditions to select adaptable genotypes to drought stress. Efficiency of indirect selection based on agronomic traits related to drought-stress was also assessed relative to direct selection based on yield. Drought stress significantly limited fruit-set and yields by 51–75% in all 18 genotypes. Clustering the genotypes based on seven-year average yields under stress and non-stress conditions and their drought susceptibility index (DSI) resulted in the direct selection of eight generally adaptable genotypes. These were characterized by low DSI and high yields in drought-stress and non-stress environments. These genotypes should serve as materials for breeding for drought tolerance or for direct utilization as planting material under drought-stress and non-stress conditions. The first three-year average yield was 75% as efficient as the seven-year average yield; the last four- to seven-year yields gave similar results. Indirect selection by clustering of the genotypes according to span (crown diameter) and fruit set was 75% as efficient as direct selection based on seven-year average yields. The efficiency of the first three-year yield as well as span and fruit set in selecting adaptable genotypes, coupled with the determination of these traits at the early stages of the growing cycle, further demonstrates that genotypes adaptable to water-deficit stress can be selected in the early stages of the breeding program.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inversely Regulates Prostaglandin D2 and Prostaglandin E2 Production in Murine Macrophages

Increased synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-1 is induced in murine macrophages by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Accordingly, we have investigated mechanisms regulating synthesis of PGE2 that might contribute to autocrine/paracrine effects on insulin-like growth factor-1 production. In response to zymosan, TNFα specifically induced a 5-fold increase in PGE2 synthesis, at the same time decreasing PGD2 production in a reciprocal fashion. Activators of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), such as PGE2 itself or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, did not modify PGE2 production by themselves but potentiated the TNFα-induced increase in PGE2; this effect required both RNA and protein synthesis. No significant change in arachidonate release or production of other eicosanoids was observed. The inducible form of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) but not of the constitutive form COX1 was implicated in the generation of both PGE2 and PGD2 in these cells by use of specific inhibitors and effects of dexamethasone. Neither COX1 nor COX2 protein levels were affected by TNFα or PKA activators used alone, whereas in association, marked up-regulation of COX2 mRNA and protein was observed. Incubations of cells carried out with PGH2demonstrated that PGE2 synthase activity was increased after a TNFα pretreatment. Taken together, our results suggest that TNFα induced a switch from the PGD2 to PGE2synthesis pathway by regulating PGE2 synthase expression and/or activity and that activators of PKA markedly potentiated the TNFα-induced increase in PGE2 through up-regulation of COX2 gene expression.
Evaluation of Soil DNA from Arable Land in Japan Using a Modified Direct-extraction Method

Using a widely used commercial DNA extraction kit and a newly modified direct DNA extraction method proposed in this report, soil DNA was extracted from arable land in diverse geological locations in Japan and the quality and quantity of the DNA were examined. A modified direct DNA extraction method was developed, consisting of one-step extraction and two-step purification using potassium acetate and a DEAE-cellulose column, respectively, and designated as a DSPD (Differential Salt Precipitation and DEAE-cellulose) method. The total time needed to process six soil samples with this method was less than two hours, including the time taken to set up the DEAE-cellulose columns. Other advantages of our DSPD method are the use of non-hazardous reagents and running costs only 5-10% of the commercial kits currently used in soil microbiological research. This DSPD method was tested using 24 soil samples collected from diverse locations in Japan and showed that it is a reliable technique for DNA extraction from a wide range of soil types when compared with commercial DNA extraction kits. This DSPD method will therefore contribute to the molecular and genomic analyses of microbial populations and ecosystems that require numerous samples of soil DNA.
Integration of hydraulic and chemical signalling in the control of stomatal conductance and water status of droughted plants

We describe here an integration of hydraulic and chemical signals which control stomatal conductance of plants in drying soil, and suggest that such a system is more likely than control based on chemical signals or water relations alone. The determination of xylem [ABA] and the stomatal response to xylem [ABA] are likely to involve the water flux through the plant. (1) If, as seems likely, the production of a chemical message depends on the root water status (Ψr), it will not depend solely on the soil water potential (Ψs) but also on the flux of water through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, to which are linked the difference between Ψr and Ψs. (2) The water flux will also dilute the concentration of the message in the xylem sap. (3) The stomatal sensitivity to the message is increased as leaf water potential falls. Stomatal conductance, which controls the water flux, therefore would be controlled by a water-flux-dependent message, with a water-flux-dependent sensitivity. In such a system, we have to consider a common regulation for stomatal conductance, leaf and root water potentials, water flux and concentration of ABA in the xylem. In order to test this possibility, we have combined equations which describe the generation and effects of chemical signals and classical equations of water flux. When the simulation was run for a variety of conditions, the solution suggested that such common regulation can operate. Simulations suggest that, as well as providing control of stomatal conductance, integration of chemical and hydraulic signalling may also provide a control of leaf water potential and of xylem [ABA], features which are apparent from our experimental data. We conclude that the root message would provide the plant with a means to sense the conditions of water extraction (soil water status and resisance to water flux) on a daily timescale, while the short-term plant response to this message would depend on the evaporative demand.
Manejo de palhada de cana colhida sem queima, produtividade do canavial e qualidade do caldo

The trash management of the sugarcane with harvest road green sugarcane associate to varieties more adapted can influence the production of stalk and the technological quality. The present work had as objective evaluating the influence of different sugarcane varieties submitted to systems of harvest management of green sugarcane about the production and the technological quality of the sugarcane. The treatments were the systems of trash management of the ratoon harvesting mechanically: straw without triturating/without cultivation (PST/SC); straw without triturating/with disk harrow cultivation (PST/CC); triturated straw/with disk harrow cultivation (PT/CC), cultivated with 18 sugarcane varieties (RB83-5486, RB85-5536, RB85-5546, RB84-5230, SP81-3250, SP80-3280, SP76-112, SP86-155, SP87-344, SP87-365, SP87-396, SP86-042, SP85-3877, SP84-5560, SP88-725, SP88-817, SP83-2847 Q-138). The technological quality of the sugarcane is affected by the varieties and system trash management of ratoon harvesting road green sugarcane. The use of the cultivation of the interlineations with disk harrow compared to the system without cultivation increased the production of stalk and the ton pol per ha, however, it reduced ATR and the pol of the ratoon harvesting road green sugarcane. The straw triturating in the treatments with use of the cultivation of the interlineations with disk harrow is not important in the production and in the stalk quality of the ratoon harvesting road green sugarcane.
Habitat of the Vulnerable Formosan sambar deer Rusa unicolor swinhoii in Taiwan

Abstract The sambar deer Rusa unicolor is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of continuous population decline across its native range. In Taiwan the Formosan sambar deer R. unicolor swinhoii is listed as a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act because of human overexploitation. However, its population status remains unclear. We used presence and absence data from line transect and camera-trap surveys to identify key habitat variables and to map potential habitats available to this subspecies in Taiwan. We applied five habitat-suitability models: logistic regression, discriminant analysis, ecological-niche factor analysis, genetic algorithm for rule-set production, and maximum entropy. We then combined the results of all five models into an ensemble-forecasting model to facilitate a more robust prediction. This model indicated the existence of 7,865 km2 of suitable habitat for the sambar deer. Distance from roads and elevation were identified as the most important environmental variables for habitat suitability, and deer preferred areas far from roads and > 1,500 m altitude. The results predicted that suitable deer habitat is mainly located in Taiwan's Central Mountain Range and Xue Mountain Range, with c. 70% of this suitable habitat in protected areas. However, the habitat predicted to be suitable is in five areas separated by mountain highways. We recommend that deer habitats close to the highways should be monitored for the future establishment of corridors between Formosan sambar deer sub-populations.
La population mérovingienne de la nécropole de Maule (France, Yvelines) : analyse anthropologique univariée qualitative et quantitative des crania

Resume. — Les 295 Merovingiens exhumes des 943 tombes de la necropole de Maule constituent un echantillon des populations ayant vecu dans le Vexin entre le Ve et le VIIIe siecle. L'auteur a etudie les squelettes d'un point de vue qualitatif et quantitatif a partir de l'analyse de 143 mesures, 45 indices et 36 caracteres qualitatifs dont les parametres principaux sont indiques et commentes dans cet article. Concernant principalement les 204 crania d'adultes dont la conservation est relativement bonne, ce travail permet d'etablir une serie de reference de laquelle se degage le phenotype moyen de ces sujets. Certains traits caracteristiques des Merovingiens de Maule ont pu etre degages. D'autres observations completent les donnees sur la variabilite de la morphologie crânienne.
A simple, on-line processing method for improving beef tenderness

Traditional beef carcass suspension by the Achilles tendon allows considerable rigor shortening and decreased tenderness in some of the major muscles of the back and hindlimb. To reduce this effect, 60 market-weight (480 ± 42 kg) Hereford Angus cross cattle (30 steers and 30 heifers) of an estimated Canada 1 yield grade were used to compare the effects on meat quality of an on-line altered suspension (OLAS) under CC (2 °C for 24 h) and BC (−20 °C for 3 h with wind speed of 2.32 m s−1) conditions. Regardless of the rate of chilling, OLAS resulted in significant improvements in shear force in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and inside round (decreases ranged from 1.13 kg to 2.38 kg in the muscles studied). Longissimus thoracis et lumborum steaks from OLAS sides were rated significantly higher by a laboratory panel for initial tenderness, amount of connective tissue, overall tenderness and overall palatability (P ≤ 0.01). In addition, compared with conventional suspension, OLAS reduced (P ≤ 0.01) the pr.
Molecular approaches to nontoxic antifouling

Summary A consequence of environmental and human health concerns arising from the use of toxic metals in marine antifouling coatings has been to recognise the need for a nontoxic alternative to fouling control. Recent research has focused on two approaches to this problem: the development of (a) foul-release coatings that work on the principle of either low surface free energy or coating ablation, and (b) coatings that incorporate a compound(s) that is nontoxic, or at least environmentally benign, that will deter fouling. Here we discuss the nature of the fouling problem and a new technology that is emerging to address it. The use of natural marine products and of analogues to these compounds holds considerable promise and is an area of intense research. It is recognized, however, that a melding of the technologies of foul-release and foul-deterrence may be required to develop broad spectrum, nontoxic antifouling coatings. This approach may more closely reflect antifouling strategies adopted by marine org.
Optimizing Seed Rate to Suppress Weeds and to Increase Yield in Aerobic Direct-seeded Rice in Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains

Weed infestation is a major constraint to widespread adoption of aerobic, direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). Higher than optimum initial seeding density for obtaining more panicles/m2 is often accompanied by reduced panicle size and 1,000-grain weight, and high rate of spikelet sterility. On the other hand, weeds in plots with a lower seeding rate have a better chance to emerge, grow and build up a strong population and thus pose a serious crop-weed competition. Experiments were conducted during kharif (rainy season) 2008 and 2009 to determine the optimum seed rate that can substantially reduce rice-yield loss caused by weed competition under aerobic conditions. A factorial-treatment arrangement was used with factors consisting of five seed rates (15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 kg/ha) and two weed-pressure treatments (weedy-check and weed-free). Weed pressure caused a significant reduction in yield; there was up to 36.2% reduction in yield for weedy check as compared with the weed-free treatment. Seeding rate was inversely correlated to weed interference. The results suggested that higher seed rates caused significant reductions in weed dry matter, whereas higher than optimum seed rate (15–30 kg/ha) caused reduction in yield. Of all the seeding rates used, 15–30 kg/ha had the lowest grain-yield losses caused by weeds. Therefore, it was concluded that optimum seed rate in direct-seeded rice would minimize the effect of weed competition on rice growth and grain yield and thus would reduce herbicide use, promoting integrated-weed management. Further, this proposition improves economy of the farmers who are thinking to shift to hybrid rice, whose seed is very costly. This investigation supports use of hybrid rice cultivars in DSR using a seed rate of 15–30 kg/ha.
Filtering Rate Performance of Daphnia retrocurva in Pulp Mill Effluent

Laboratory experiments were carried out with radioactive Scenedesmus to determine the effect on filtering rate of Daphnia retrocurva of exposure to different dilutions of raw pulp mill effluent in lake water. Filtering rate decreased progressively as the exposure time in 5 and 10% effluent increased. Most animals seemed able to recover from brief exposures, but with increased time spent in effluent, larger proportions of the animals did not filter when the food was presented.
Quality Characteristics of Long-Grain Rice Milled in Two Commercial Systems

ABSTRACT Long-grain rice variety Kaybonnet was milled to three degree of milling (DOM) levels in two commercial milling systems (a single-break, friction milling system and a multibreak, abrasion and friction milling system) and separated into five thickness fractions. For both milling systems, the surface lipid content (SLC) and protein content of the milled rice varied significantly across kernel thickness fractions. SLC was influenced by DOM level more than by thickness, while the protein content was influenced by thickness more than by DOM level. Particularly at the low DOM levels, the thinnest kernel fraction (<1.49 mm) had higher SLC than the other kernel fractions. Protein content decreased with increasing kernel thickness to 1.69 mm, after which it remained constant. In both milling systems, thinner kernels were milled at a greater bran removal rate as indicated by SLC differences between the low and high DOM levels. For rice milled to a given DOM level, the multibreak system produced fewer broken.
Three vha Genes Encode Proteolipids ofCaenorhabditis elegans Vacuolar-type ATPase

The proteolipids of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) are major components of the integral membrane sector. The vha-1 and vha-2(vacuolar-typeH +-ATPase) genes inCaenorhabditis elegans encode putative 16-kDa proteolipids and are tandemly localized on chromosome III. The vha-2gene has three exons, whereas vha-1 has no introns. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two genes exhibit about 60% identity with the homologues from yeast, mouse, and cow. The mRNAs of both vha genes are trans-spliced to spliced leaders, suggesting that these genes constitute a polycistronic transcriptional unit. The vha-4 gene consists of four exons and is very similar to the yeast VMA16 gene that codes for the 23-kDa proteolipid. This is the first example of three distinct V-ATPase proteolipids being identified in higher eukaryotes. Northern blot and transgenic analyses show that the three vha genes may be highly expressed in the H-shaped excretory cell, rectum, and a pair of cells posterior to the anus. These results suggest that the V-ATPase activity may be important for exporting toxic compounds or metabolic wastes in this organism.
VALORES DE REFERÊNCIA PARA O PERFIL ELETROFORÉTICO DE PROTEÍNAS SÉRICAS EM CABRAS

Electrophoretic profiles of serum proteins can help on the diagnosis of several pathologies. However, the establishment of local reference values is important for accurate interpretation of this laboratory assay, since those values may be variable depending on local conditions. Thus, the aim of the present research work was to determine the reference values for eletrophoretic separation of serum proteins in goats from Rio Grande do Norte State (RN)  Brazil  farms. Blood samples were collected from 22 adult goats, negative for caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus, from farms at Afonso Bezerra city. Serum levels of total proteins were assayed and separation of gobulins performed by electrophoresis. The following results were found: Total proteins, 70.0 g/L, albumin, 37.0 g/ L, a- globulins, 7.63 g/L, b1 globulins, 10.4 g/l, b2- globulins, 10.2 g/L, g-globulins, 4.76 g/L, and albumin/ globulins ratio 1.16. Thus, data from this research work may be useful as a tool on the diagnosis of goat diseases.
The Stability of Two Randombred Control Populations of Turkeys

Abstract A survey of the performance of two randombred control populations over nine generations indicated evidence of little genetic drift. The linear regression coefficient of the difference between the two randombred controls on generations was significant for only 3 of 21 traits. These were average clutch length, 16-week male body weight and 24-week female body weight.
Biological trait composition of European stream invertebrate communities: assessing the effects of various trait filter types

Understanding the action of filters on the biological trait composition of communities is constrained by the multitude of filter types (e.g. abiotic vs biotic, actual vs historical) that may cause changes of a multitude of traits (e.g. small vs large body size, short vs long life cycle) at a multitude of spatial scales (e.g. continent vs landscape vs local site). Using published data on the as natural as possible abundances and 11 biological traits (described through 63 categories) of 254 European stream invertebrate genera, we assessed how already available knowledge can serve to identify the importance of the action of different types of trait filters at two spatial scales. Therefore, we analysed observed and simulated abundance-weighted trait compositions at the local scale of 384 running water sites (RWS) and at the landscape scale of 14 large biogeographical regions (LER). Actual abiotic filters acted significantly and independently of the taxonomic richness on the invertebrate traits at the RWS- and LER-scale, whereas biotic filters had no significant effect. Evidence for the action of historical trait filters across Europe was only weak at both scales. Size, reproductive cycle, respiration and locomotion technique, feeding habits and vulnerability to disturbance responded to altitude and stream width of the RWS according to existing views about the effects of riparian, physiological, interstitial or disturbance controls of these traits. These controls acted independently on trait categories that did not co-occur within the genera, because correlations of size categories with other trait categories were higher in the abundance-weighted trait array (across communities) than in the original trait array (across genera). Overall, many of the 63 trait categories were scarcely affected by the trait filters considered in this study. Therefore, we briefly discuss potential effects of continental filters and of stream system-specific, local physical filters, as the latter should produce similar trait patterns on a global scale. Our study suggests that analyses of the currently available knowledge can simplify the complicated hypothetical framework on trait filter actions, which sharpens the focus on future research needs.
Individual (co)variation in thermal reaction norms of standard and maximal metabolic rates in wild-caught slimy salamanders

Summary 1. Standard metabolic rate (SMR) and maximal metabolic rate (MMR) are fundamental measures in ecology and evolution because they set the scope within which animals can perform activities that directly affect fitness. In ectotherms, both SMR and MMR are repeatable over time when measured at a single ambient temperature (Ta). 2. Many ectotherms encounter variable Ta from day to day and over their lifetime, yet it is currently unknown whether individual differences hold across an ecologically relevant range of Ta (i.e. thermal repeatability; RT). Moreover, it is possible that thermal sensitivity of SMR and MMR are important individual attributes, and correlated with one another, but virtually nothing is known about this at present. 3. We measured SMR and MMR across an ecologically relevant Ta gradient (i.e. from 10 to 25 °C) in wild-caught salamanders (Plethodon albagula) and found that RT was significant in both traits. SMR and MMR were also positively correlated, resulting in a lower RT in absolute and factorial aerobic scopes (AAS and FAS). 4. We found significant individual differences in thermal sensitivity for both SMR and MMR, but not for AAS and FAS. The intercept (at Ta =0 °C) and the slope of the thermal reaction norms were negatively correlated; individuals with low MR at low Ta had a higher thermal sensitivity. Finally, individuals with a high thermal sensitivity for SMR also had high thermal sensitivity for MMR. 5. Our results suggest that natural selection occurring over variable Ta may efficiently target the overall level of – and thermal sensitivity in – SMR and MMR. However, this may not be the case for metabolic scopes, as the positive correlation between SMR and MMR, in addition to their combined changes in response to Ta, yielded little individual variation in AAS and FAS. 6. Our results support the idea that organisms with low metabolism at low Ta have a high metabolic thermal sensitivity as a compensatory mechanism to benefit in periods of warmer environmental conditions. Hence, our study reveals the importance of considering within-individual variation in metabolism, as it may represent additional sources of adaptive (co)variation.